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Fellow Canadians? I need your help....

Messages
9
I live in Ontario. My disability tax credit (DTC) is up for renewal, and if it doesn't get renewed then my RDSP (registered disability savings plan) will be closed. That could have a huge impact on my future income.

My question is: do you know of any ME/CFS doctors or any doctors for that matter who know how to fill out a DTC form so that ME/CFS patients will get approved?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much.

Edit - I should add, that Dr. Bested was the doctor who completed my form previously, but she went to the B.C. clinic, and left there, and now I have no idea where she is...
 
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Messages
9
Hi - I am in Ontario. That's a good thought. My concern is the cost to see him and the length of time to get in. This is a somewhat urgent matter. But I will try to give them a call. Thanks!
 
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9
Hoping maybe there are other Canadians (I'm in Ontario) who might have some suggestions of any ME/CFS doctors or any doctors for that matter who know how to fill out a DTC form so that ME/CFS patients will get approved?

(I did send an email to Dr. Hyde but he takes on very few new patients, there are costs to see him, and I think the process is a long one, so it's likely not a good fit).

Thanks again.
 

Kati

Patient in training
Messages
5,497
Hoping maybe there are other Canadians (I'm in Ontario) who might have some suggestions of any ME/CFS doctors or any doctors for that matter who know how to fill out a DTC form so that ME/CFS patients will get approved?

(I did send an email to Dr. Hyde but he takes on very few new patients, there are costs to see him, and I think the process is a long one, so it's likely not a good fit).

Thanks again.
Hi @MEnofeelsoGood I am a bit curious to know how often do we need to have a medical to confirm eligibility to disability tax credit? Mine was filled out by Dr Carruthers about 2-3 years ago but he is no longer practicing. I would be hoping that my GP could fill out the next form with the mention that I didn't get better, that I can barely walk 100m without having payback, etc.

National MEFM Action Network and Ontario ME association could offer some assistance to you.

Best, Kati
 
Messages
9
Hi @MEnofeelsoGood I am a bit curious to know how often do we need to have a medical to confirm eligibility to disability tax credit? Mine was filled out by Dr Carruthers about 2-3 years ago but he is no longer practicing. I would be hoping that my GP could fill out the next form with the mention that I didn't get better, that I can barely walk 100m without having payback, etc.

National MEFM Action Network and Ontario ME association could offer some assistance to you.

Best, Kati
Hi @Kati, I'm not sure it's the same for everyone, but mine is up for renewal after 4 years. If you've got an open minded GP then maybe you'll be in luck. I have contacted the National MEFM Action Network and Ontario ME association in the past and to be honest they weren't able to offer much help - not that it's their fault. Maybe I'll try them again...
 

ukxmrv

Senior Member
Messages
4,413
Location
London
I was going to suggest Dr Hyams but I just checked and it seems he is only in Vancouver.

Dr Hyams was my doctor when he was in the UK and very helpful when it came to helping with disability, forms and legal matters

Hope you find someone good.
 
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9
Have you contacted the office where Dr Bested used to work, perhaps they would know of some ME friendly doctors?
i tried calling the old number and it's no longer assigned to anyone. I assume there's a new tenant in her old space with no affiliation to ME/CFS.
 
Messages
9
I was going to suggest Dr Hyams but I just checked and it seems he is only in Vancouver.

Dr Hyams was my doctor when he was in the UK and very helpful when it came to helping with disability, forms and legal matters

Hope you find someone good.
thanks for checking :)
 
Messages
10,157
Maybe somebody at the Environmental Health Clinic at the Women's College Hospital could help you out. She used to work there too and they do treat patients with ME.

Have you spoken to anybody to do with the taxes. I honestly do not know how they expect patients to get forms filled out if there are no specialists available or even doctors available and if they are available there are year long waiting lists.. Could they give you an extension for a bit?
 
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9
Maybe somebody at the Environmental Health Clinic at the Women's College Hospital could help you out. She used to work there too and they do treat patients with ME.

Have you spoken to anybody to do with the taxes. I honestly do not know how they expect patients to get forms filled out if there are no specialists available or even doctors available and if they are available there are year long waiting lists.. Could they give you an extension for a bit?
I'm in the process of try to get into the Environmental Health Clinic - but there is a 13 month wait. The tax people that I've talked to don't know anything about actually qualifying for the DTC. Thanks for the suggestions, Kina :)
 
Messages
32
Hi,

I live in Ottawa. Dr. Armstrong in Ottawa could help but I think she has a long waiting list too. Dr. Molot ( works in both Ottawa and Toronto) might be another and I don't think he has that long of a waiting list. They are both technically environmental docs but both are quite knowledgeable in FM and ME/CFS.

I have a RDSP as well and I am lucky I have a supportive GP who renews my applications. I don't think they can just close it down because you can't find a doctor to renew it, yes you won't be able to contribute going forward but all the past contributions and any grants received should be yours to keep, gee I would hope so.

DTC also helps to reduce one's income tax too ( ie. $1500/year) assuming one has income over 11k/year or so , so it is good for that reason as well as for the RDSP.

I hope you can find a doctor to renew it, good luck

cheers

kyle
 
Messages
9
Hi,

I live in Ottawa. Dr. Armstrong in Ottawa could help but I think she has a long waiting list too. Dr. Molot ( works in both Ottawa and Toronto) might be another and I don't think he has that long of a waiting list. They are both technically environmental docs but both are quite knowledgeable in FM and ME/CFS.

I have a RDSP as well and I am lucky I have a supportive GP who renews my applications. I don't think they can just close it down because you can't find a doctor to renew it, yes you won't be able to contribute going forward but all the past contributions and any grants received should be yours to keep, gee I would hope so.

DTC also helps to reduce one's income tax too ( ie. $1500/year) assuming one has income over 11k/year or so , so it is good for that reason as well as for the RDSP.

I hope you can find a doctor to renew it, good luck

cheers

kyle
Thanks for your reply, Kyle....took me a while to check back here.

I will try to contact the docs you suggested.

In terms of the RDSP, they will close it down and you have to pay the grants/bonds back (from the pat 10 years I believe) if you don't get approved for the DTC when it is up for renewal --since in order to have a RDSP you need to qualify for the DTC. You have until the end of the year in which the DTC is to be renewed and you can get an 'extension' to keep your RDSP open if you can get a doctor to write a letter stating that you are likely to get approved. I've been doing a bit of research and I'm pretty sure this is accurate, but would welcome any other input.