GOOD TO KNOW!

According to a Canada-wide survey, nearly 85% of the population does not formally make a personal budget.
You can save dozens of dollars each year by reviewing and eliminating certain options with your telephone or cable company (call display, call waiting, etc.).
A number of special programs are available in Ontario to help low-income energy consumers. The Low- income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) provides a one-time grant towards your electricity or natural gas bill if you are temporarily unable to make ends meet in an emergency situation. You need to meet certain criteria to qualify. If you need help applying for this program, Center EBO or your health and/or community centre can assist you.
The Minister of Energy has also launched a new program to help low –income electricity consumers. We are proud to help the clients with the application and receiving monthly assistance directly on their electricity bills. You can apply online or call 1-855-831-8151 to have the application sent to you. If you have not filed your income tax within the last 2 years, or you need help, you can also contact EBO Centre or other resources in the community. To help you apply, you will be required to bring proof of income, ID and the electricity bill with your name on it, in order to complete the application. For more information about the new Ontario electricity support program OESP, please visit their web site https://ontarioelectricitysupport.ca/

Although interest rates are still at a historic low, rates on credit cards have, for the most part, remained very high varying from approximately 20% to 30% per year.
Depending on your situation, you can negotiate with your creditors a payment plan that works for you instead of bending to their demands for payment.
A collection agency does not have the legal right to contact you by telephone without having sent you a letter in advance stating that it is responsible for your file.
A collection agency must take you to civil court (not criminal court) and notify you in writing if it intends to seize your work-related income.
Seventy percent of credit reports contain errors.
You may not include a student loan in a personal bankruptcy until you have been out of school for seven years.
In Ontario, there is a minimum fee of approximately $1,800 to declare personal bankruptcy.

To be entitled to the Canada Child Tax Benefit as well as the GST refund, it is necessary to have filed your most recent tax return.
In Canada, thousands of elderly people do not know that they are entitled to the guaranteed income supplement.
Through a written request to the Fairness Program, you can have the interest on a federal tax debt suspended or eliminated or have the penalties eliminated if your personal and financial circumstances justify it.
The government of Canada can garnish your future tax returns and GST payments to recover an income tax debt; however this can successfully be contested if your personal and financial circumstances justify it.
In your tax return, you can deduct medical expenses other than prescriptions, including glasses, certain travel expenses related to your health, dentists’ fees and other purchase fees for items related to your health condition.
Disability income under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is not taxable but disability income under a private insurance company or the Canada Pension Plan is generally taxable.
Since March 2004, the Canada Revenue Agency has issued an amount of $133/month to disabled children through the Canada Child Tax Benefit and this amount may be paid retroactively for up to 10 months.

The Ontario government has increased social assistance payments (based on the increase in the cost of living) and toned down certain measures implemented under the Conservative government for recipients of Ontario Works benefits.
A financial institution does not have the legal right to seize a credit card payment or loan in your bank account if your only source of income comes from the Ontario Works program or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Neither social assistance income nor disability income in Ontario can be garnished by a creditor.
You may be entitled to an additional special allowance for transportation costs under the Ontario Disability Support Program if you have multiple medical appointments each month.
It is possible to negotiate a decrease in the monthly payment required from an overpayment under Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program if this amount causes you financial hardship.

Address : 290 Dupuis St, Suite 116 Ottawa, Ontario K1L 1A2
Telephone: 613-746-0400

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