On Friday, Sept. 19 I was informed by AISH (Alberta Income for Severely Handicapped) that my application for disability payments had been denied. I could appeal but I would have to drive halfway across the city to pick up the appeal forms & my appeal needed to be filed within 30 days. I had planned to try to pick up the forms on Tuesday, Sept. 23 because I was going to have our vehicle for my doctor’s appts. Since that day got messed up by extra appointments being squeezed into my day, hubby & I decided we would pick up the forms on Thursday. We were going to be out anyway for my chest CT scan.
My scan appt. was scheduled for 1345 so we decided to go to the AISH office first. We live on the North East side of Edmonton & the AISH office is on the West side of the city, so it was a long drive. When we got there we had difficulty finding a parking spot. We arrived at the 5th floor office where we were met with a sign saying the office was closed between noon & 1 p.m. We arrived at 12:07. We can’t even pick up a form since there is no one but a security guard there. We went to the hospital where I had my chest CT scan done & then returned to the office afterwards.
When we arrived back at the office, we found 2 clerks behind glass & 2 security guards in the waiting area. Hubby asked if we could speak to someone about our appeal & he was told we could only contact the staff by phone or email. No, the clerks behind glass did not take messages. So why did we have to drag ourselves all the way down to their office? Why didn’t they mail out the appeal forms or at least have them available on their website? This office is supposed to be helping people with disabilities & they are forcing handicapped people to travel to an inaccessible office with little or no parking to pick up a form?
I applied for AISH at the same time I applied for CPP disability. I signed a form when I applied allowing AISH to use all the same medical reports CPP was given. It took AISH 4 months to determine I qualified for benefits because of family income. I was told it would take them 4 more months to determine if I qualified medically.
I was refused CPP benefits, appealed my decision & have since been approved. I heard nothing from AISH during all that time. According to the letter I received from AISH I did not provide them with enough medical reports, but during all the months they had my application they never asked for additional medical reports. It took them 4 months to look at my application & decide I had not provided enough information? They couldn’t have picked up a phone & asked for more information? They couldn’t have sent me a letter, outlining what additional information they required? Did they even look at the forms CPP was using? I don’t have answers for any of these questions.
If they are sharing the same medical reports as the federal government & I have been approved for disability benefits AND a disability tax credit, why do they require something different?
I can only assume by the presence of 2 security guards in their office & the clerks being behind glass, they must get a lot of aggravated clients & fear for their safety. Considering how they treat people, I can understand why. I will not give up, maybe that’s what they’re hoping for when they make things so difficult?
Carrie Rubin
Oct 02, 2014 @ 05:58:21
How very frustrating. I don’t blame you for ranting. 😦
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 11:51:17
Thanks Carrie! Hubby was talking to a customer yesterday who was going through the exact same thing with AISH!
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Beth Ann
Oct 02, 2014 @ 06:18:22
Don’t give up!!! Don’t. I think you are determined enough to stick this out until you get some satisfaction . You deserve it an dI know that you can do it! Cheering you on from here!!
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 11:52:15
Thanks Beth Ann! Hubby is encouraging me to be the squeaky wheel!
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1jaded1
Oct 02, 2014 @ 06:28:57
I am so angry for you. I hope you get your benefits.
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 11:52:43
Thank you, I’m going to keep plugging along!
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Ron
Oct 02, 2014 @ 08:23:35
” I will not give up, maybe that’s what they’re hoping for when they make things so difficult?”
You’re absolute right, Benze. And they do the same thing here. I admire you for not giving up and getting what you deserve.
You GO, my friend!
X
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 11:53:29
Thanks Ron! Support from my friends here really helps give me more back bone!
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Elyse
Oct 02, 2014 @ 08:54:32
Oh, Benze. This sucks.
Since I do argue for a living, I would be willing to help. Because stuff like this pisses me off and it will be good practice for someday when I work as a patient advocate … You can contact me by email through my blog.
But I recommend writing a letter outlining exactly what you just said. Give them copies of everything you gave them originally because they are jerks and probably misfiled them. Give them everything from the feds, too, unless that might work against you — are you allowed to get disability from both? I’m sure it’s legal, but do they feel that one of the two should be sufficient? Is there anyone who might know that?
Secondly, I would set up an in person meeting.
I would also express yourself about the lack of access & parking. This is an office for folks with disabilities. Ummmmmmmm…
Let me know if I can help.
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 11:55:50
Thank you Elyse! All the things you suggested are part of the appeals process which I’m working on now. I would love to have a patient advocate, but I wonder how that would work between the US & Canada?
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Elyse
Oct 02, 2014 @ 11:59:19
I can’t be your advocate, but I am willing to help. I write a GREAT nasty letter.
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 12:08:34
I will keep this in mind Elyse, since my hubby has already suggested I write a nastly letter.
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Gibber
Oct 02, 2014 @ 09:11:34
Yes don’t give up! Have you thought of getting a care aid to help you? You could have that covered. I used to be one. You’d qualify in heartbeat I think. Just a thought.
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 11:57:39
I am finding as I lose more weight, things are getting SLIGHTLY easier & I really need the exercise to keep my lungs working the best they can, but it’s a great idea!
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Gibber
Oct 02, 2014 @ 12:13:20
Ohh okay. I didn’t know if it would be good for your lungs.
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El Guapo
Oct 02, 2014 @ 09:29:50
Bureaucracies are a blight. I hope they get this sorted soon, in your favor.
At least CPP is supporting your claim.
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 11:59:08
Thanks Guaps! Since I used to be part of the bureaucracy, I can understand it a LITTLE, but this really seems over the top to me! Can you imagine what it feels like to a neophyte with no bureaucratic experience at all?
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NotAPunkRocker
Oct 02, 2014 @ 09:58:49
Red tape, gotta love it. What a mess, sorry you are going through this but glad you have some support to help on that side.
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 12:00:51
The worst of this is they put you through all these loops when you are already sick & not feeling at your best. They expect you to fight when you need to reserve your strength for keeping yourself as well as you can!
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JackieP
Oct 02, 2014 @ 10:20:11
My husband applied for AISH. He has arthritis in his spine and is no longer able to work. He is on 2 potent pain meds just to function. We got all the information gathered that they said they needed. After about 4 months, several phone calls (yes, they called us for more information) and sending them the information that they wanted. He was denied. We heard that they deny everyone first time around. So we appealed. About a month later we go to their offices and see 3 old men about the appeal. We answered all their questions. My husband can barely walk and is stick thin. They saw this. He was denied again. I got pissed off. I contacted our local government representative. I explained the situation with AISH, we made an appointment to see him. A few days later we went to the meeting with all the paperwork and drs notes saying my husband was unable to work. The person we spoke too looked the documents over, couldn’t understand why we were denied and said she would speak to the AISH people herself. She called us a few days later and said that AISH was approved.
Call your local government representative and tell them your story, I bet they help you. Especially since the offices in Edmonton are so unhelpful ( I live in Lethbridge). It can’t hurt and it just might help like with us. Good luck!
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 12:02:35
Thank you JackieP! I had no idea you lived in Alberta! This is all very good advice!
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JackieP
Oct 02, 2014 @ 12:15:19
I know first hand how frustrating it can be to get help. So I will help you anyway I can. We got to stick together.
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The Laughing Housewife
Oct 02, 2014 @ 12:15:30
What an absolute horror story. Sadly, similar stories appear all across the world. How we treat our vulnerable members of society is a disgrace. I do hope you get what you need x
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 14:05:49
Thank you Tilly Bud!
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ladyryl
Oct 02, 2014 @ 13:59:01
It took me two applications and a failed appeal the first time around before I got my disability approved…
You have to prove to them you are really ill enough to get help and they are not going to make it easy by actually hunting down your results themselves… they assume if you want the assistance, you are prepared to work for it.
I was told from the start that you need to send every shred of documentation you have to them as they won’t ask you for anything. Get copies of every test and result, get every diagnosis in writing, if a piece of paper goes into a doctor’s file, get a copy for yourself and inundate them with these until you get approved.
You are quite right about not giving up… and that is exactly why they do this. The more people they can discourage, the fewer go on the system
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 14:07:18
Thanks Lady! I have a lot of gathering work to do because CPP gathered some of their own info. & I did not get copies of it.
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writerwannabe763
Oct 02, 2014 @ 14:04:16
I think that there is such complacency with regard to the health system and people who are needing help either with claims or even with the doctors themselves. We have a system in place but boy does it need people and doctors who really care! Diane
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 14:09:27
You’re right Diane, we need a system in place to help the frail & elderly with their health benefits! I was slightly encouraged to hear at the Health Ministers Conference in Banff yesterday they were contemplating a national Pharmacare program to help the elderly with their prescription costs. I am hoping this would include the disabled or frail as well.
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Tena Carr
Oct 02, 2014 @ 19:15:38
A case of “right hand” “left hand” not talking…
Two words – head, brick-wall. And yes I can relate.
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benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 22:37:11
Thanks for reading! You’re right it’s so annoying!
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Reblog: “A Professional Patient Rants” | Life Happens
Oct 02, 2014 @ 19:28:15
benzeknees
Oct 02, 2014 @ 22:39:08
Thanks for the re-post! Wow, it happens so rarely I feel so honored!
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Margarita
Oct 03, 2014 @ 16:06:49
Continue persisting, L. Don’t give up! xoxoM
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benzeknees
Oct 03, 2014 @ 22:10:28
Filled out the appeal paperwork today! Hubby is off on Wed. & we will hand deliver it so we have a date stamped copy.
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Life With The Top Down
Oct 04, 2014 @ 18:07:47
Hang in there Benze! Your determination will prevail in the end. It’s a sick game and they are just waiting for you to fold….don’t give them the satisfaction.
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benzeknees
Oct 04, 2014 @ 21:22:00
If I start to lag, believe me my hubby will be behind me pushing me all the way!
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tchistorygal
Oct 18, 2014 @ 21:47:05
Wow, you really do run into the bad situations! What a bummer! Hope you get it worked out. 🙂
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benzeknees
Oct 18, 2014 @ 22:41:03
These are just some of the reasons I call myself a professional patient now. It’s a full time job just trying to get benefits, going for doctors appts. & tests, etc.
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tchistorygal
Oct 19, 2014 @ 18:46:04
I hope it all works out for you. I don’t understand the system here, let alone the system in Canada. 😐
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