RATC's can't (or won't) send faxes?

 Hi Joy,

I thought they had changed the start-up benefit to once every two years?  I collected that in December 2009 and the majority of it went to reimbursing my grandmother for the cost of movers when I moved from downtown to the north end of Oshawa.  I believe the maximum for a single person is $799.

I was always under the impression regardless of whether it is 12 or 24 months that it was for if you were moving.  To be honest that would certainly help with a few things I go with out (clothes for example).  Most of my current clothing is over 4 years old.  A few items are only 2 years old.  However the older stuff is beginning to show signs of it age (holes galore).  I try and dress in a way to cover the holes when possible.  And now most of my clothing is too big for me, but at $25 for a t-shirt, or $50-$100 for a pair of pants (depending on style), clothes are simply not in my budget.

My mom was kind enough to buy me a shirt and tie so I would have something nice to wear to my gradnmother's funeral, and she also paid to have my casual dress pants mended.  People will have to start calling me patches, lol.

I never ask about benefits I may be eligible for, but I'm not sure why.  I will have to look into this.

I just hate how much red tape ODSP makes you go through for something as simple as transportation.  In the end though all will be well and I won't have to worry...until next time, lol.

 Sry to hear about ur grandmother,

ODSP wont cover for clothing but bc of the rapid WL i just shop at V V or salvation army also some local church's have programs set up for low income ppl, furnishings and  what nots, might be worth a shot in calling you can try food banks they may have some programs as well, but make sure you get set up with travel grants they cover transportation gas, lodging, food. while ur at ur hospital, there's also lots of info  on the net just google ODSP and what they cover, its sorta tricky ODSP  may say no but ur city may pick up the cost again ODSP will not disclose that info to you. 

gd luck and all the best,

Joy

 Thanks Joy, and my apologies for not responding sooner.

According the a PDF file pertaining to the Community Start-up & Maintenance Benefit, clothing is listed as one of the items someone applying for said benefit might need.  Now whether they accept it for that alone who knows.

And it is a 24 month period now.  

Now if/when I have surgery I will definitely be setting up a travel grant as there is obviously no way I can cover transportation, lodging, etc.  I'm still hoping my mom will be able to make the trip.  She was there when I was in Cleveland the first time around, and I'd hate to think of her not being there this time.  I'm definitely not going to extend this invitation to my dad considering he chose not to spend his own money to make the trip down the Cleveland, yet he would travel to Montreal several times a year to watch my step-brother play football.  I digress though.

My fingers are crossed on an interesting job opportunity a family friend forwarded onto me last night.  Commute isn't bad either, only about 10 feet from my bed to my computer, lol.  I'm TRYING to be optimistic, but it's not easy.

 Just wanted to update that I received a call this morning (woke me up, and in my groggy state I was not quick enough to remove my CPAP mask and swipe answer on my phone), and in the voicemail my caseworker at ODSP said she has approved my transportation request.

Now to try and figure when I'll be finished all my appointments.  Ladies in the waiting room last time said take your appointment time and add 90 minutes too it just to get into see the individual.  My last appoint is schedule for 2:30pm, so by that logic they are saying 4:00pm just to get in.

I'll probably just leave it at a call for service return trip and find somewhere to sit in the lobby.  I believe I saw some comfy looking couches!  I could always bring my netbook and use my cell phone as a wireless hotspot while I wait.

Sorry folks, thinking outloud as usual, heh.