Page 18 - May 2021 Newsletter

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Ostomy Association Simcoe County
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Financial Supports for Ostomates ...
A guy walked into a pharmacy in Simcoe earlier this year, loaded up on ostomy supplies for his wife and headed for the door. Shoplifter? Nope. Just a confused caregiver who thought everything was covered by prescription.
To help the pharmacist help this couple get the support they need to cover their ostomy supplies, we pulled together this info about financial supports for ostomates.
1. Assistive Devices Program (ADP) helps those with a long-term or permanent physical disability pay most of the cost for essential equipment and supplies, including ostomy supplies. Ostomates can get a yearly ADP grant of $975 paid in two instalments, or $1300 if you live in a long-term-care home. Usually, your doctor completes the ADP application for you when you first have your ostomy surgery. Learn more about the ADP here or call the ODSP at 1-800-268-6021.
2. Ontario Disability support Program (ODSP) provides income support to people assessed with a medically recognized disability and real financial need. The amount you get will depend on your specific situation, e.g., your family size and living expenses, including housing and medical costs. For more information, call your local ODSP office. [To find your local ODSP office, click here ]
3. mandatory special Necessities (MSN) provide additional support under the ODSP for essential ongoing medical supplies including ostomy supplies. You’ll find your flanges, pouches, ostomy paste and deodorant, and gauze wipes classed as surgical supplies and dressings or incontinence supplies. If you’re already receiving support under the first two programs, you can use the MSN form to apply for the ODSP to cover your costs for your ostomy supplies directly. Here’s how:
a. Call your local ODSP office and ask for the Mandatory Special Necessities Benefit Request Form (MSN form 2957).
b. Send or take the MSN form to your doctor to complete, like a prescription. (Your ET or NSWOC can fill in the details about your ostomy supplies, as long as they check the box confirming a physician prescribed this need.)
c. Under Covid controls, you must fax or scan and email the completed form to your local ODSP office for their review.
d. Once approved, you can look for suppliers who bill the ODSP directly when you place your order.
4. Disability tax Credit (DTC) helps people with disabilities or their supporting persons reduce the amount of income tax
they may have to pay. The Ostomy Canada Society has a great brochure explaining this non-refundable tax credit.
5. registered Disability savings Plan (RDSP) is a long-term matched savings plan to help Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. To open an RDSP, you must qualify for the Disability Tax Credit.
Learn more at Ostomy Canada society.
6. Canada Disability savings Grant is an amount that the Government of Canada pays into your registered disability savings plan (RDSP) until the year you reach age 49. The grant you receive is based on your personal net-adjusted income or, if you have a spouse, your family net-adjusted income over the previous two years. n
http://www.facebook.com/Simcoe.County.Ostomy.Assoc e mail: ostomy.asc@gmail.com Phone: 1 855 678 6272
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