Living with a disability is difficult. Many individuals coping with disabilities
require special – and often expensive – equipment just to do the regular things
we take for granted. They depend on that
equipment with their livelihood. And
when that equipment goes bad, they are often left without recourse.
Justin D.
found himself in that position some years ago when his out-of-date hearing aids
began to fail. Justin has a hearing
impairment that has lead him to be classified as legally deaf. Without his hearing aids, Justin can’t drive,
can’t work, can’t support himself in this world. Because of his powerlessness in the face of
his condition, Justin began suffering from depression and sank deeper into
despair.
Justin
eventually discovered that the government offered a disability tax credit for
individuals in just his situation. Happily,
he began the application process only to be denied any assistance. He tried again and again to no avail and
eventually gave up all hope.
While
surfing the web one day, Justin stumbled upon a website forum where people with disabilities
(and the families that support them) gather together to talk about their
problems and lean on each other for support.
The forum was located on the website for the National Benefit Authority. In his conversations with other members of
the forum, Justin discovered that applying for disability benefits and
disability tax credits can be unduly complicated. If one small thing is out of place, the
application is turned down. Justin
figured that was probably what had happened in his case.
When he
asked forum participants where he could get help with the application process,
everyone pointed Justin to the forums home page and encouraged him to contact
the National Benefit Authority for help.
Not
expecting any results – but willing to try again – Justin contacted the
National Benefit Authority and took advantage of their free consultations. He found their dedicated Benefit Specialists
to be very knowledgeable and highly trained.
For the first time in a long while, Justin felt optimistic about his
chances.
The National Benefit Authority
helped Justin assemble the pertinent information, complete the arduously long
forms correctly and without error, and file the application(s) on time and with
the proper agency.
A few weeks
later, Justin was overjoyed to find that his application for a disability tax
credit had been approved. Justin was now
able to take the money he saved from the tax credit and purchase his
much-needed hearing aides. Now Justin
could drive, work, and support himself once again.
Justin is
incredibly grateful for the help the National Benefit Authority provided. He still participates in the NBA’s disability
forum where he shouts praise for the NBA whenever he can. At least once a week, Justin also makes use
of the NBA’s disability blog to learn more about the resources available to
Canadians with disabilities.
If you are
a Canadian suffering from a disability - or a family member supporting someone
who is – and would like to find out if there are resources available for you,
contact the National
Benefit Authority for a free consultation.
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