Drivers who have had a serious car accident in Ontario are often focused on financial worries that come from not being able to work. We recognize that car accident victims should be able to focus on regaining their health rather than stressing on how they’ll pay their bills, pay for medication, or pay their mortgage.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of financial resources that you may be eligible for, depending on your circumstances. At Campisi, we are always there to help our clients navigate unfamiliar waters to determine what financial resources are most applicable to your situation. If you want a free download of this information that you can print, please click here.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
website: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/
What Is It?
ODSP offers financial assistance on a monthly basis to help with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter. Income support also includes benefits, like drug coverage and vision care, for clients and their eligible family members. Tests of the patient. Essentially, the physician examines the available evidence and exercises professional judgement based on experience and training.
Eligibility:
To qualify for ODSP income support, you must:
-
be at least 18 years old (start application up to 6mos prior to 18th birthday);
-
be an Ontario resident;
-
be in financial need as determined by your ODSP caseworker; and
-
meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability or be a member of a prescribed class.
How to Apply:
If you require immediate financial assistance, please contact your local Ontario Works office (you can also still apply for ODSP). If you’re an Ontario Works client, your financial need has already been established. Speak to your caseworker if you want to apply for ODSP income support.
Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefit
website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html
What it is:
The EI program offers temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers, including sickness benefits to people unable to work because of sickness or injury. If you cannot work because of sickness or injury, but you would otherwise be available to work, you could be eligible to receive up to a maximum of 15 weeks of EI sickness benefits.
Eligibility:
You may be entitled to receive EI sickness benefits if:
-
you are employed in insurable employment;
-
you meet the specific criteria for receiving EI sickness benefits;
-
your normal weekly earnings have been reduced by more than 40%; and
-
you have accumulated at least 600 hours of insurable employment during the qualifying period, being the shorter of:
-
the 52-week period immediately before the start date of your EI claim; or
-
the period from the start of a previous EI benefit period to the start of your new EI benefit period, if you applied for benefits earlier and your application was approved in the last 52 weeks.
How to Apply:
You should apply as soon as possible after you stop working. You may be required to use all your available sick leave before applying. If you delay applying for benefits later than four weeks after your last day of work, you risk losing benefits. To find out if you are eligible to receive EI benefits, you must submit an application online.
Short-Term Disability
website: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/insurance/disability.html
What Is It?
Short-term disability coverage typically provides benefits for up to 6 months while you are sick or injured. If your employer has a short-term disability plan, your claim must be made through your disability plan. If you are not sure if this coverage is available to you, please speak with our office. If you do not have short-term disability coverage and your employer does not offer one, you may be eligible for EI sickness benefits.
Long-Term Disability
website: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/insurance/disability.html
What is it?
Long-term disability insurance benefits generally begin when the following benefits end: short-term disability insurance, sick leave benefits from your employer, or EI benefits. Most long-term disability plans will replace 60% to 70% of your normal income. Some may provide disability benefits for up to two years if you’re unable to return to the job you had before becoming disabled. After two years, you may continue to receive benefits only if you are unable to work at any job.
Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD)
website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit.html
What Is It?
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides disability benefits (disability pension and postretirement disability benefit) to people who have made enough contributions to the CPP and who are disabled and cannot work at any job on a regular basis. Benefits may also be available to dependent children.
Eligibility:
To qualify for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit, you must:
-
have a severe and prolonged disability;
-
be under the age of 65; and
-
meet the CPP contribution requirements, meaning you must have contributed to the CPP in:
-
four of the last six years; or
-
three of the last six years if you have contributed for at least 25 years.
How to Apply:
You must apply in writing. The online application kit for Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits includes the application form and the medical report to be completed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. A hard copy of the application must be mailed to the nearest Service Canada office with certified copies of any required documents
Trillium Drug Benefit
website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-help-high-prescription-drug-costs
What it is:
The Trillium Drug Program helps Ontarians pay for their high prescription-drug costs by covering the cost of more than 4,400 prescription drugs that are currently available through the Ontario Drug Benefit program.
Eligibility:
You should apply if:
-
live in Ontario;
-
have a valid Ontario health card number;
-
do not already qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit program (for example, you are not enrolled in a program such as Ontario Works)
-
do not have an insurance plan that pays for 100% of your drugs; and spend about 4% or more of your after-tax household income on prescription drug costs.
How to Apply:
The Trillium Drug Program year is from August 1 to July 31. Make sure you apply by September 30 to be reimbursed for any eligible drug you received in the previous program year (August 1-July 31). You must apply for the Trillium Drug Program as a household. Your household’s enrollment will be renewed automatically every year and you will receive an annual confirmation letter. You can find the application form online or by calling.
Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)
website: https://www.lhins.on.ca CALL 310-2222 – No area code required
What it is:
LHINs plan, integrate, and fund home and community care services for Ontarians and coordinate admission to long-term care facilities. Available services may include nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, dietitian services, pharmacy services, diagnostic and laboratory services, respiratory therapy, social work, social service work, personal support and homemaking.
Eligibility:
Anyone can make a referral to an LHIN – an individual requiring service, a family member, caregiver, friend, physician or other health care professional.
How to Apply:
The first step is to call the main LHIN phone number (310-2222) which will automatically direct your call to your local home and community care office (no area code required). Let them know that you are making a referral for services. If your healthcare provider has already made the referral for you, you can expect a phone call from LHIN once the referral has been processed to ask some questions to better understand your needs. Then, you will either be connected with a Care Coordinator, or LHIN will refer you to the program or service that may be right for your needs.
If you have been in a serious car accident in Ontario, we’ve created a guide for what you should do when you’ve been in an accident. One common mistake we see, from accident victims, is their social media behaviours – it can cost you. Please take some time to read about how it can affect your insurance claim and compensation.
Campisi’s Personal Injury Lawyers and team can help you navigate through some of the financial concerns and legal mindfields. We have experience in fighting for and receiving high compensations for our clients, who have been in an Ontario Motor Vehicle Accident. Please call or text Cesar at (416) 820-9434 if you have been in a serious car accident and need some help.
