(no subject)

[waterspyder]

I have a dentist appointment on Monday.

I did not get my dental benefit card from ODSP this month.

I've called 4 days in a row, left messages because after 45 minutes of being in queue, that's the best I can do. They tell you that they'll call you back within 24 hours. This is a lie.

I'm not sure I can afford to go to the dentist on my own, but I'm almost positive I have a cavity.

So I finally got through this afternoon, and my file has been suspended, because they suddenly realized that zenten lives with me and I've been reporting his income for several months. Oh and I didn't send them an ROE that they never asked for, that I don't have, because I'm not entitled to one.

It makes me cry. 
At work.
At my desk.

All I want is to be able to reliably get my medication and have access to the things to keep me healthy. I already pay about $300 out of pocket every month for medication that isn't covered, massage that isn't covered, and vitamins, etc.

Comments

[daruba.livejournal.com]

fuckers.

[waterspyder.livejournal.com]

amen

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

My heartfelt sympathies... too many insurance companies prey on people who are under too much stress because of the very thing they're claiming for to fight back.

[waterspyder.livejournal.com]

I'm so very troubled by the with this system works.

ODSP is the Ontario Disability Support Program, and is social assistance. I'm in it more or less for the drug coverage (it's sad when you realize it's not worth going to work for less than $16/hour because that's how much I need to clear the basic living allowance and drug costs).

The system looks great on paper, but the execution sucks a lot. I am seriously concerned about people with cognitive and mental impairments trying to navigate the system. The only reason I have any amount of success is because I'm used to University Administration, which seems to deliberately trying to get your money out of your pocket.

They need some serious changes in that place.

[(Anonymous)]

Is it administered by the government, or is that contracted out to an oh-so-wonderful "private enterprise" (read, insurance company)?

There are an awful lot of these programs whose cutoff systems actively block people from working, even when they can and want to, aren't there? Bloody stupid.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

F---ing lj... that was me.

[waterspyder.livejournal.com]

It's government administered, and it kind of shows.

They make it really not worthwhile to
1) Work
2) Have a roommate (I shared an apartment and got nailed with additional 'income' levied against my benefits because my roommate paid rent.
3) Have a relationship and move in together.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Would it really be so hard to reduce the benefits by half the amount you make or reduce your expenses, instead of 100%? Penny wise, pound foolish... common problem, really.

[okcismelanie.livejournal.com]

agree! the WHOLE system is fuckered! It doesn't help allot of people and for some it causes allot of chaos!

[corradus.livejournal.com]

Wow. That is total bullshit. You have the fullest extent of my sympathies. If there is anything I could do, please ask.

[torrain.livejournal.com]

Right.

The offices appear to be at 10 Rideau Street, 5th floor. As near as I can figure, that's ~10 minutes walk from my workplace.

Is there anything I can do, for values of "anything" that include rescheduling my lunch hour tomorrow to go down there and wait with you or hold your place in line?

[waterspyder.livejournal.com]

You make a good point. I'll go in Monday after my Dr.'s appt with buckets of things they might need. I hope I get there early enough...