BELOW ARE NOTES FROM MY CALL WITH ONTARIO WORKS WORKER, DENYSE BASED ON THE PHONE CALL I HAD WITH HER GOING THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
On Friday April 1st, I received a call from Ontario Works, I went through the Application process with the Ontario Works worker, Denise and this is what happened:
Ontario Works, the maximum that you're eligible for is around $733 a month. You have earnings within the month.
So for example, if for the month of April, between now and the 15th of April, you have earnings, you are to declare those earnings by the 16th of each month. And those earnings could impact the amount that you receive for the next month.
So for example, because it's the first three months of you been on Ontario Works, your income is deducted dollar for dollar. So if you made $300 $300 will be deducted from the monies you receive from Ontario Works for the month of May. Your earnings for the current month impact your monies from Ontario Works for the next month.
After the three months, after you've been on social assistance for three months, any earnings that you earn, there's a $200 exemption.
And then there's a 50% deduction instead of dollar for dollar in the first three months. So if you made $300, $200 of that $300 that you made is exempt, so it wouldn't impact what you got for the next month, only 50% of the remaining amount, which would be $50 would be removed from your $733 checks. And that is how it is structured just so I am aware of that.
The concern that the caseworker, Denise expressed was that you I have more expenses than the money from Ontario Works can meet.
Therefore, Denise asked me if there is a way for me to connect with my landlord to see if maybe they can reduce my rental amount until I can get back on my feet again.
So, I agreed to have a conversation with my Landlord definitely within the next from my first call with Denise, by Monday April 4th I would have had that conversation with my Landlord.
Denise explained it further by saying the following; if I was going to pay $907 for rent, then I would have to explain to her where I would be getting the additional money from to pay the rent, and therefore; how I would afford to buy food and care for my basic needs
I assured the worker, Denise I’ve been sober from alcohol and crack and everything for 22 years and I will be honest about whatever I got to do here as my goal is that I've just got to make money, and I'll account for it, I will report in to her every dollar that I make. And I said to her, I just got to eat, and I got to pay the rent. And I will landlord for sure. And see what I can do. And I can't make any promises to her until I have had that conversation with my Landlord.
And the worker, Denise advised and encouraged me that that's a conversation that I definitely need to have with my Landlord because currently, at those expenses that I have, I wouldn't be able to sustain it. And I would therefore, end up in rental arrears for a while.
And I told here, I understood.
I asked Denise the following question: “what if, I couldn't responsibly promise anybody how to repay them back, but am I allowed to get a loan from anyone if they were able to do that? Or could I do a GoFundMe to get donations to eat”?
And her response to my question was;
“That money would be considered as income and it will be deducted”,
And this would be the case even if it were to be a loan, it would be considered as income.
Denise said, she will send me a copy of my rights and responsibilities so I understand how the process works.
And I, of course agreed.
I also asked Denise if am able to qualify for a drug card again for this month as I only received one for March.
She clarified for me that once my file has been activated, then I will use my health card at the pharmacy, it’s taxed to the Ministry.
So, the free drug benefit can be accessed through my health as they no longer give a drug card. I can access my free prescription through using my OHIP card, and that’s how their clients access their prescription details.
Then, Denise went through the whole consent process with me.
I shared with Denise as I had shared with the first caseworker who initially contacted me, Amanda that the doctor filled out the form for me, while I was in his office in a scheduled appointment with him. He was there with me for like an hour filling that out when he found out that I had no money to eat or pay for my meds.
She explained that there are two consent forms that are usually signed by clients when they apply for Social Assistance.
And then she said , let's take a look at my shelter, and verified there's going to be a decrease in my portion of the rent and the landlord can put that in employment.
And I jumped in to say; because I’m an entrepreneur, I am intending to make money. So I asked her, how does the reporting work if I were to make some money before the 15th since she said I got to send something in by the 16th,
So, so she clarified for me that I would have to declare my earnings on the 16th of each month. So however I receive my payments or whatever, I wouldn't need to worry how to submit that as an income reporting statements - And that would come to me in the mail.
She advised me that once my file is active, I can sign up for the "My Benefits" portal, it's an app and I can upload my information in my benefits. So once my file is active, I'll have access to the My 'Benefits portal',
And in an email that Denise said she is going to be sending me she will list the documents that I will need to provide, so there will be a link there to the 'My Benefits' portal that I can sign up.
Denise asked me about my bank accounts. How many bank accounts do I have?
I have informed her that I have a tangerine bank account that I just use for business expenses, and then I have a Simply bank account that is for everything else.
And I also told her that I'm connected with CRA through the Simply.
So note to self: She will need to take a look at my bank statements for the last three months on both accounts.
She said she will send me the information in that email.
She asked me if I owned my vehicle. And I answered, "Yeah", I can't drive it because I had to take the insurance off".
I told her, It's a 2007 Toyota Prius, and I bought it for 5200 bucks five years ago, so because it needs servicing, I'm guessing it's not worth more than 2500 bucks.
She then asked me if I have ownership on the vehicle. And I responded by saying, yes, I do have ownership of the vehicle.
So she asked if I could provide her with my ownership of the vehicle information. And I can send it to her in that email once sends me the email, then I will see what documents I need to provide, and that I can just send those documents to her. And she agreed that I can take a picture of it and send it to her as long as it is clear.
I advised her I don't have access to a fax machine.
Denise advised me that all her contact details will be in the email she will be sending me after our intake call going through the application process.
SECOND PHASE OF THE CALL INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION:
Denise asked me about what my plan was. Whether my plan is to continue with self-employment? Or am I looking for paid work?
I told her, self employment, I'm going to turn this ship around. I also shared with Denise that I'm the turnaround guy.
I also gave her my website where she can go to turnaround TV. I assured her that I am going to turn things around, and It's just hard to do it when I don't have my meds and I can't eat. And Denise clarified that this is my basic needs, and I just don't have my basic needs met. I further told her that I definitely adjusted because I couldn't afford milk and meat anymore, so I've just been eating potatoes and corn, and being appreciative to as that's all I could do.
And acknowledging that many people did lose their businesses and lost everything and, and I'm appreciative, I'm appreciative of the help that is here, such as social assistance.
And I am so appreciative that Amanda got me my meds (I started to cry).
And Denise reasurred me that, "that's what we're here for. We're not here to make people's life difficult. We're here to make your life as easy as possible within the powers that we have".
And that she was glad that I received the support that I needed when I needed it. And she told me that, "It's only gonna get better from here", and that's what she believes. And she also said that I seem to be very motivated. And she thinks that is the first step in anything.
I also shared with Denise that I help people for free at least a couple hours before I start my work activities.
I'm the founder of All Addictions Anonymous, 3 not-for-profit, and I help people every mornings, it is part of my Step 12 work and I have to do that to stay sober from crack and alcohol, and I have been sober for 222 years thanks to my Step 12 work that I set aside two hours evey morning to do and help someone else who is also struggling. And so, I'm not a deadbeat here, I'm contributing, and I just needed a little help.
And she told me that I'm going to get that help the help that I need.
While she is waiting for me to send her the documents that she needs, which I said I will get to her at the beginning of the following week. I asked her if this would delay the payment?
Shae say, No. What will do is grant my file for 30 days. So it will give me that 30 days to provide the documents, and if I doesn't receive it within the 30 days, she will have no choice but to close the application, but she can grant me and I can grant me my medications filled for April, and I'll get some funds.
THIRD PHASE OF THE CALL: BACKGROUND IN MY BUSINESS
she asked me to tell her a little bit about my business and what it is that I do.
I told her that I do coaching and consulting and video marketing. I juust don't so the streaming anymore since the pandemic shut that down. But before the pandamic, it was video streaming, marketing production and consulting in that order. And now, it's coaching, consulting interventions. And video marketing, still, just not streaming with a guest in the studio anymore.
I also clarified with her that I have 30 years experience and I've been self employed. I owned an executive search firm. And I've done a number of things over the 30 years.
And she asked me if I have ever been married?
I told her that I was married in 1995, and then I relapsed on drugs and was divorced within probably less than two years.
Denise asked me what is the name of my roommate?
The name of my roommate is Sameena Fernandes. And she is just strictly my roommate.
So thae goal is really for me to continue with my self-employment.
Denise asked me to tell her what my projected time frame for me is to get my business back up and running.
I told her that like I had originally said in an email to Amanda, whatever is within that 90 days period.
I also shared with her that I've experienced over 30 years that when I'm in a situation where I got turn things around, when I can eat though, I'm always able to pull off a miracle within 90 days. So that's my goal and my commitment, within 90 days.
And then she asked me if this is something that I went to school for?
I told her I took a lot of like for example, Tony Robbins courses, I paid about 50 to $100,000 over the years of my own self development. But mostly, it was my crack addiction when I went into treatment, and I was told that so many people, most people relapse when they're addicted to crack. And I was told that if I helped other people during my spare time and made it my obsession, and so just helping hundreds of people and more than hundreds and I've done over 200 school programs all over Canada and the US, and I am endorsed by Dr. Gabor Mate and other doctors. I've also helped kids get off of their addictions. My training is helping addicts for free. It's just all my experience helping people for free. and then I was able to somehow, turn it into a business.
ANY BARRIERS???
Apart from the fact that my basic needs were not being met, I was also asked if I see any other barriers to me starting up my business again.
My responseto to the above queation after pausing and having to meditate about that specific question was, 'No', and specified, if I can eat and I have got my meds, including for my ADHD, and I know that my basic meds are taken care of - And the only other thing is, I've got to talk to my landlord, Sameena, and see what I can work out with her about reducing my rent.
ANY OTHER SUPPORTS??
The second half of the application involved stuff related to the action plan in terms of what other supports and services I would need. apart from my food, and my basic needs, what other supports they can give me to help me get back in the workforce.
THE COMMON ASSESSMENT:
-common assessment is a series of questions that the worker went over with me and maybe asked me some questions around my employment goals, and what challenges I may have, that sort of thing.
Because I want to continue with my self-employment, which she felt was great, what she said I should do.
However, with Ontario Works, all their clients who are on social assistance, they are referred to employment Ontario. So employment Ontario is not just helping to keep helping them to find work.
-They work with clients who want to get into self-employment, who may need some additional support to get their business up and running that type of thing.
So I was told that I will be referred to Employment Ontario for additional support because it's a condition.
- And Denise also informed me that Employment Works offers certain supports and fundings required to help their clients who are going with the self-employment route set up their own business, etc. And I will be referred to employment Ontario for those supports.
And after my file is granted, I will be receiving a phone call from Employment Ontario Just to connect with me and see how they can further assist me.
THE NEXT SERIES OF QUESTIONS ARE RELATED TO MY MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SUPPORTS:
- Note: they are located just beside the polce station. And they are right by the bus terminal. The new bus terminal. The Office is Panfield Central Drive, attached to the City Council Meets building.
I can bring my documents there in person as well, which she said, it would probably be better to drop off my documents in person, so they can upload it into my file, and then she will get a notification that it is received.
-I told her I can't drive right now, can't afford the insurance.
Note: with email, they prefer fax or drop off because with email, a lot of the documents are not considered as original documents, so fax or droping the documents off in person is preferred.
I told Denise that the name of my signature program is called, integrity choices. It's all about being it's all about being your word.
I am Canadian born and I prefer not to say if or if not I identify myslef as LGBTQ.
I am no a frankaphone. And I don't identify as First Nations Matey, and/or Inuite.
My highest level of schooling I have attended is Grade 13, two years of Humber College, one year of York University and then I got arrested by a SWAT team for smoking crack and then that kind of ended, so have some university and some college background. And Denise asked me, what year I stopped? I told her, I don't know. But I know that if I'm born in 65, October grade 13 then three more years, so it would have most likely been in 1987.
I started my first business, The Executive Network, a headhunting firm in 1989.
I carfied wth Denise that I do not need help to improve my language skills to help me keep a job. I'm a master communicator.
I'm a sales professional, other than, I swear too much, but I am gettng better at that. I'm just so used to helping drug addicts and we just normally swear, and I'm getting better at that.
THE LAST PART OF THE CALL:
She went over some statements with me and told me to let her know if 'I agree', 'strongly disagree' or 'strongly agree' or just 'disagree'.
1. I can find paid work if I want to?
MY Resp: YES (I NEED TO ELABORATE AND EXPLAIN THIS)
2. When I make plans for my career, I am confident that I can make them work
MY Resp: Not so much. My ADHD, I get it and then I lose it. NEUTRAL. Because I am always optimistic that I can change.
3. I can perform effectively on many different tasks?
MY Resp: NO
4. I can find access to services that I need?
MY Resp: YES
5. I am connected to multiple people who provide advice, help and emotonal support.
MY Resp: Absolutely not. I am all alone. And my family is not there. My family is mentally ill.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MY CURRENT LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES AND MY BASIC NEEDS:
1. Do I have reliable access to the internet and the computer?
YES
2. Do I have reliable transportation fr daily activities?
I DON'T NEED IT, BUT MY ANSWER IS YES BECAUSE THE BUILDING HAS A GYM, ETC. SO I CAN STAY IN THE BUILDING AND THAT IS GOOD.
3. I Am renting pivate?
YES.
4. How Many times have I moved n the last 6 months?
ZERO.
5. How worried am I that I would have to move within the next two months?
I FEEL 50/40% WORRIED, BUT I THINK THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE WHEN I CAN EAT AGAIN. I AM MSTILL IN LIKE THAT PTSD SHOCK OF WHAT IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS PAST MONTH. I THINK IT'S GOING TO TURN AROUND QUICKLY. I AM STILL IN SHOCK THAT YOU ARE HELPING ME AS I HAVE BEEN ALONE AND ON MY OWN.
12. In the last 12 months, were you worried that the food you bought would run out before you got money to buy more food?
YES, OFTEN.
13. In the last 12 months, the food that you bought, you didn't havemoney to get more food?
YES, BECAUSE THE MONTHLY EXPENSES, SUCH AS INTERNET, THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU NEED, LIKE SCHEDULING SOFTWARE, ETC.
14. Am I concerned about my personal safety in my relationships at home or in my community?
NO.
15. Do I feel that I would benefit from receiving mental health supports?
I AM OPEN, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT I WOULD BENEFIT, IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE PERSON.
NOTE: Denise said, she can send me a list with links to various counselling opportunities, and then I can choose to what I feel is more suited to my needs or who I feel I am more comfortable with.
16. Do I feel I would benefit from receiving supports from managing substance use?
NO, I AM CLEAN. I HAVEN'T HAD A DRINK OF ALCOHOL, COCAINE OR ANY OTHER NON-PRESCRIBED DRUG SINCE NOVEMBER 4th, 1999.
Denise then provided me with some encouragement.
I also shared wth Denise that, my roommate, Sameena Fernandes has an anxiety disorder and it is nice t know that every morning I can have a zoom conversation with her and help her and make a difference for her.
And I told her that I have been doing transformational work for 17 years. My primary purpose in life is to be of maximum service to God and the people about me.
I teach Abraham Hicks and I created and am continuing to build, Get Booked To Book Others, that's helped people with anxiety and they are helping people.
Attach letter from Landlord to the documents if she has agreed to decrease my portion of the rent. The rent can also be deferred.
I can find paid work if I want to. Absolutely true. Okay. When I make plans for my career, I'm confident I can make them work.
Ontario Works, the maximum that you're eligible for is around $733 a month. You have earnings within the month.
So for example, if for the month of April, between now and the 15th of April, you have earnings, you are to declare those earnings by the 16th of each month. And those earnings could impact the amount that you receive for the next month.
So for example, because it's the first three months of you been on Ontario Works, your income is deducted dollar for dollar. So if you made $300 $300 will be deducted from the monies you receive from Ontario Works for the month of May. Your earnings for the current month impact your monies from Ontario Works for the next month.
After the three months, after you've been on social assistance for three months, any earnings that you earn, there's a $200 exemption.
And then there's a 50% deduction instead of dollar for dollar in the first three months. So if you made $300, $200 of that $300 that you made is exempt, so it wouldn't impact what you got for the next month, only 50% of the remaining amount, which would be $50 would be removed from your $733 checks. And that is how it is structured just so I am aware of that.
The concern that the caseworker, Denise expressed was that you I have more expenses than the money from Ontario Works can meet.
Therefore, Denise asked me if there is a way for me to connect with my landlord to see if maybe they can reduce my rental amount until I can get back on my feet again.
So, I agreed to have a conversation with my Landlord definitely within the next from my first call with Denise, by Monday April 4th I would have had that conversation with my Landlord.
Denise explained it further by saying the following; if I was going to pay $907 for rent, then I would have to explain to her where I would be getting the additional money from to pay the rent, and therefore; how I would afford to buy food and care for my basic needs
I assured the worker, Denise I’ve been sober from alcohol and crack and everything for 22 years and I will be honest about whatever I got to do here as my goal is that I've just got to make money, and I'll account for it, I will report in to her every dollar that I make. And I said to her, I just got to eat, and I got to pay the rent. And I will landlord for sure. And see what I can do. And I can't make any promises to her until I have had that conversation with my Landlord.
And the worker, Denise advised and encouraged me that that's a conversation that I definitely need to have with my Landlord because currently, at those expenses that I have, I wouldn't be able to sustain it. And I would therefore, end up in rental arrears for a while.
And I told here, I understood.
I asked Denise the following question: “what if, I couldn't responsibly promise anybody how to repay them back, but am I allowed to get a loan from anyone if they were able to do that? Or could I do a GoFundMe to get donations to eat”?
And her response to my question was;
“That money would be considered as income and it will be deducted”,
And this would be the case even if it were to be a loan, it would be considered as income.
Denise said, she will send me a copy of my rights and responsibilities so I understand how the process works.
And I, of course agreed.
I also asked Denise if am able to qualify for a drug card again for this month as I only received one for March.
She clarified for me that once my file has been activated, then I will use my health card at the pharmacy, it’s taxed to the Ministry.
So, the free drug benefit can be accessed through my health as they no longer give a drug card. I can access my free prescription through using my OHIP card, and that’s how their clients access their prescription details.
Then, Denise went through the whole consent process with me.
I shared with Denise as I had shared with the first caseworker who initially contacted me, Amanda that the doctor filled out the form for me, while I was in his office in a scheduled appointment with him. He was there with me for like an hour filling that out when he found out that I had no money to eat or pay for my meds.
She explained that there are two consent forms that are usually signed by clients when they apply for Social Assistance.
- There's the consent to disclose and verify information with Canada Revenue Agency.
And then she said , let's take a look at my shelter, and verified there's going to be a decrease in my portion of the rent and the landlord can put that in employment.
And I jumped in to say; because I’m an entrepreneur, I am intending to make money. So I asked her, how does the reporting work if I were to make some money before the 15th since she said I got to send something in by the 16th,
So, so she clarified for me that I would have to declare my earnings on the 16th of each month. So however I receive my payments or whatever, I wouldn't need to worry how to submit that as an income reporting statements - And that would come to me in the mail.
She advised me that once my file is active, I can sign up for the "My Benefits" portal, it's an app and I can upload my information in my benefits. So once my file is active, I'll have access to the My 'Benefits portal',
And in an email that Denise said she is going to be sending me she will list the documents that I will need to provide, so there will be a link there to the 'My Benefits' portal that I can sign up.
Denise asked me about my bank accounts. How many bank accounts do I have?
I have informed her that I have a tangerine bank account that I just use for business expenses, and then I have a Simply bank account that is for everything else.
And I also told her that I'm connected with CRA through the Simply.
So note to self: She will need to take a look at my bank statements for the last three months on both accounts.
She said she will send me the information in that email.
She asked me if I owned my vehicle. And I answered, "Yeah", I can't drive it because I had to take the insurance off".
I told her, It's a 2007 Toyota Prius, and I bought it for 5200 bucks five years ago, so because it needs servicing, I'm guessing it's not worth more than 2500 bucks.
She then asked me if I have ownership on the vehicle. And I responded by saying, yes, I do have ownership of the vehicle.
So she asked if I could provide her with my ownership of the vehicle information. And I can send it to her in that email once sends me the email, then I will see what documents I need to provide, and that I can just send those documents to her. And she agreed that I can take a picture of it and send it to her as long as it is clear.
I advised her I don't have access to a fax machine.
Denise advised me that all her contact details will be in the email she will be sending me after our intake call going through the application process.
SECOND PHASE OF THE CALL INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION:
Denise asked me about what my plan was. Whether my plan is to continue with self-employment? Or am I looking for paid work?
I told her, self employment, I'm going to turn this ship around. I also shared with Denise that I'm the turnaround guy.
I also gave her my website where she can go to turnaround TV. I assured her that I am going to turn things around, and It's just hard to do it when I don't have my meds and I can't eat. And Denise clarified that this is my basic needs, and I just don't have my basic needs met. I further told her that I definitely adjusted because I couldn't afford milk and meat anymore, so I've just been eating potatoes and corn, and being appreciative to as that's all I could do.
And acknowledging that many people did lose their businesses and lost everything and, and I'm appreciative, I'm appreciative of the help that is here, such as social assistance.
And I am so appreciative that Amanda got me my meds (I started to cry).
And Denise reasurred me that, "that's what we're here for. We're not here to make people's life difficult. We're here to make your life as easy as possible within the powers that we have".
And that she was glad that I received the support that I needed when I needed it. And she told me that, "It's only gonna get better from here", and that's what she believes. And she also said that I seem to be very motivated. And she thinks that is the first step in anything.
I also shared with Denise that I help people for free at least a couple hours before I start my work activities.
I'm the founder of All Addictions Anonymous, 3 not-for-profit, and I help people every mornings, it is part of my Step 12 work and I have to do that to stay sober from crack and alcohol, and I have been sober for 222 years thanks to my Step 12 work that I set aside two hours evey morning to do and help someone else who is also struggling. And so, I'm not a deadbeat here, I'm contributing, and I just needed a little help.
And she told me that I'm going to get that help the help that I need.
While she is waiting for me to send her the documents that she needs, which I said I will get to her at the beginning of the following week. I asked her if this would delay the payment?
Shae say, No. What will do is grant my file for 30 days. So it will give me that 30 days to provide the documents, and if I doesn't receive it within the 30 days, she will have no choice but to close the application, but she can grant me and I can grant me my medications filled for April, and I'll get some funds.
THIRD PHASE OF THE CALL: BACKGROUND IN MY BUSINESS
she asked me to tell her a little bit about my business and what it is that I do.
I told her that I do coaching and consulting and video marketing. I juust don't so the streaming anymore since the pandemic shut that down. But before the pandamic, it was video streaming, marketing production and consulting in that order. And now, it's coaching, consulting interventions. And video marketing, still, just not streaming with a guest in the studio anymore.
I also clarified with her that I have 30 years experience and I've been self employed. I owned an executive search firm. And I've done a number of things over the 30 years.
And she asked me if I have ever been married?
I told her that I was married in 1995, and then I relapsed on drugs and was divorced within probably less than two years.
Denise asked me what is the name of my roommate?
The name of my roommate is Sameena Fernandes. And she is just strictly my roommate.
So thae goal is really for me to continue with my self-employment.
Denise asked me to tell her what my projected time frame for me is to get my business back up and running.
I told her that like I had originally said in an email to Amanda, whatever is within that 90 days period.
I also shared with her that I've experienced over 30 years that when I'm in a situation where I got turn things around, when I can eat though, I'm always able to pull off a miracle within 90 days. So that's my goal and my commitment, within 90 days.
And then she asked me if this is something that I went to school for?
I told her I took a lot of like for example, Tony Robbins courses, I paid about 50 to $100,000 over the years of my own self development. But mostly, it was my crack addiction when I went into treatment, and I was told that so many people, most people relapse when they're addicted to crack. And I was told that if I helped other people during my spare time and made it my obsession, and so just helping hundreds of people and more than hundreds and I've done over 200 school programs all over Canada and the US, and I am endorsed by Dr. Gabor Mate and other doctors. I've also helped kids get off of their addictions. My training is helping addicts for free. It's just all my experience helping people for free. and then I was able to somehow, turn it into a business.
ANY BARRIERS???
Apart from the fact that my basic needs were not being met, I was also asked if I see any other barriers to me starting up my business again.
My responseto to the above queation after pausing and having to meditate about that specific question was, 'No', and specified, if I can eat and I have got my meds, including for my ADHD, and I know that my basic meds are taken care of - And the only other thing is, I've got to talk to my landlord, Sameena, and see what I can work out with her about reducing my rent.
ANY OTHER SUPPORTS??
The second half of the application involved stuff related to the action plan in terms of what other supports and services I would need. apart from my food, and my basic needs, what other supports they can give me to help me get back in the workforce.
THE COMMON ASSESSMENT:
-common assessment is a series of questions that the worker went over with me and maybe asked me some questions around my employment goals, and what challenges I may have, that sort of thing.
Because I want to continue with my self-employment, which she felt was great, what she said I should do.
However, with Ontario Works, all their clients who are on social assistance, they are referred to employment Ontario. So employment Ontario is not just helping to keep helping them to find work.
-They work with clients who want to get into self-employment, who may need some additional support to get their business up and running that type of thing.
So I was told that I will be referred to Employment Ontario for additional support because it's a condition.
- And Denise also informed me that Employment Works offers certain supports and fundings required to help their clients who are going with the self-employment route set up their own business, etc. And I will be referred to employment Ontario for those supports.
And after my file is granted, I will be receiving a phone call from Employment Ontario Just to connect with me and see how they can further assist me.
THE NEXT SERIES OF QUESTIONS ARE RELATED TO MY MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SUPPORTS:
- Note: they are located just beside the polce station. And they are right by the bus terminal. The new bus terminal. The Office is Panfield Central Drive, attached to the City Council Meets building.
I can bring my documents there in person as well, which she said, it would probably be better to drop off my documents in person, so they can upload it into my file, and then she will get a notification that it is received.
-I told her I can't drive right now, can't afford the insurance.
Note: with email, they prefer fax or drop off because with email, a lot of the documents are not considered as original documents, so fax or droping the documents off in person is preferred.
I told Denise that the name of my signature program is called, integrity choices. It's all about being it's all about being your word.
I am Canadian born and I prefer not to say if or if not I identify myslef as LGBTQ.
I am no a frankaphone. And I don't identify as First Nations Matey, and/or Inuite.
My highest level of schooling I have attended is Grade 13, two years of Humber College, one year of York University and then I got arrested by a SWAT team for smoking crack and then that kind of ended, so have some university and some college background. And Denise asked me, what year I stopped? I told her, I don't know. But I know that if I'm born in 65, October grade 13 then three more years, so it would have most likely been in 1987.
I started my first business, The Executive Network, a headhunting firm in 1989.
I carfied wth Denise that I do not need help to improve my language skills to help me keep a job. I'm a master communicator.
I'm a sales professional, other than, I swear too much, but I am gettng better at that. I'm just so used to helping drug addicts and we just normally swear, and I'm getting better at that.
THE LAST PART OF THE CALL:
She went over some statements with me and told me to let her know if 'I agree', 'strongly disagree' or 'strongly agree' or just 'disagree'.
1. I can find paid work if I want to?
MY Resp: YES (I NEED TO ELABORATE AND EXPLAIN THIS)
2. When I make plans for my career, I am confident that I can make them work
MY Resp: Not so much. My ADHD, I get it and then I lose it. NEUTRAL. Because I am always optimistic that I can change.
3. I can perform effectively on many different tasks?
MY Resp: NO
4. I can find access to services that I need?
MY Resp: YES
5. I am connected to multiple people who provide advice, help and emotonal support.
MY Resp: Absolutely not. I am all alone. And my family is not there. My family is mentally ill.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MY CURRENT LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES AND MY BASIC NEEDS:
1. Do I have reliable access to the internet and the computer?
YES
2. Do I have reliable transportation fr daily activities?
I DON'T NEED IT, BUT MY ANSWER IS YES BECAUSE THE BUILDING HAS A GYM, ETC. SO I CAN STAY IN THE BUILDING AND THAT IS GOOD.
3. I Am renting pivate?
YES.
4. How Many times have I moved n the last 6 months?
ZERO.
5. How worried am I that I would have to move within the next two months?
I FEEL 50/40% WORRIED, BUT I THINK THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE WHEN I CAN EAT AGAIN. I AM MSTILL IN LIKE THAT PTSD SHOCK OF WHAT IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS PAST MONTH. I THINK IT'S GOING TO TURN AROUND QUICKLY. I AM STILL IN SHOCK THAT YOU ARE HELPING ME AS I HAVE BEEN ALONE AND ON MY OWN.
12. In the last 12 months, were you worried that the food you bought would run out before you got money to buy more food?
YES, OFTEN.
13. In the last 12 months, the food that you bought, you didn't havemoney to get more food?
YES, BECAUSE THE MONTHLY EXPENSES, SUCH AS INTERNET, THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU NEED, LIKE SCHEDULING SOFTWARE, ETC.
14. Am I concerned about my personal safety in my relationships at home or in my community?
NO.
15. Do I feel that I would benefit from receiving mental health supports?
I AM OPEN, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT I WOULD BENEFIT, IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE PERSON.
NOTE: Denise said, she can send me a list with links to various counselling opportunities, and then I can choose to what I feel is more suited to my needs or who I feel I am more comfortable with.
16. Do I feel I would benefit from receiving supports from managing substance use?
NO, I AM CLEAN. I HAVEN'T HAD A DRINK OF ALCOHOL, COCAINE OR ANY OTHER NON-PRESCRIBED DRUG SINCE NOVEMBER 4th, 1999.
- When was the last time I had significant problems, feeling very trapped, lonely, sad, blue, depressed or hopeless about the future? I told her that i have a hard time remembering because of the ADHD, so my guess would be, I probably felt the above a few times last month, but I don't stay in it in a way that debilitates me because I put my focus on helping someone (over zoom) that's in a worse place than me, and fotunately, I am able to help people.
- When was the last time you had problems with sleep trouble, bad dreams, sleeping restlessly, falling asleep during the day? I don't feel sleep is an issue for me.
- When was the last time I had significant problems with feeling very anxious nervus, tense, scared, panicked or something bad was going to happen. I felt ths way last week, the whole weeling upthis call.
- When was the last time I had significant problems becoming very stressed and upset, like something reminds me of the past? Iprobably happend once last month, but I don't remember the details.
- When was the last time you had problems with thinking about ending your life and suicide? I told her that I am being honest about this but I alo got to answer this responsibly. Yes, I have thoughts where I wish I was not living anymore, but I would never take my own life. I am 57 years old, i have no savings, Bankrupt twice.... And don't think about ending my life. I do have rendom thoughts of like life is too hard, but I am not going to take my life and I am not lying about that.
Denise then provided me with some encouragement.
I also shared wth Denise that, my roommate, Sameena Fernandes has an anxiety disorder and it is nice t know that every morning I can have a zoom conversation with her and help her and make a difference for her.
And I told her that I have been doing transformational work for 17 years. My primary purpose in life is to be of maximum service to God and the people about me.
I teach Abraham Hicks and I created and am continuing to build, Get Booked To Book Others, that's helped people with anxiety and they are helping people.
- When was the last time you had significant problems seeing or seeing that someone else could not see or hear? Or feel that someone else could read or control my toughts?
Attach letter from Landlord to the documents if she has agreed to decrease my portion of the rent. The rent can also be deferred.
I can find paid work if I want to. Absolutely true. Okay. When I make plans for my career, I'm confident I can make them work.
SCOTT'S ODSP STORY AND DOCUMENTATION
My name is Sameena Fernandes.
I was a Co-Executive director for one of Scott's not-for-profits Scott founded, called Addiction Free Youth. I was also a board member for All Addictions Anonymous, a federally incorporated not-for-profit that Scott founded in 2003 which is still in existance.
Based on the information I reviewed on this page and knowing Scott for 12 years now, here's what I want to say ...
When I first met Scott in 2010, I met him in a course we were taking in Mental Health at George Brown, I had the opportunity to observe his school programs endorced by Doctor Gabor Mete as well as Dr. Stanton Peele in the Addiction Provention programs. And over this time I have known Scott, I have definitely observed the impact of the mental illness, the ADHD, bipolar, depression, and I have also witnessed and been a recipient myself of his contribution to society as he has made a difference for me in various ways.
In the first year I met Scott, he was at the peak of his school programs, to date having done 200 schools all over Cananda and the US helping at risk kids. Over the time I have known Scott and even today despite his mental illnesses, he is a great contribution to society.
And when Scott was unable to carry on with his mission because of financial and economic hardship, he became suicidal and very depressed, and I have personally been a witness to this.
Over the past 12 years that I have known Scott, I have witnessed him have severe mood swings. This is even the case at present date, I see him having his extreme highs and extreme lows. I have witnessed his moods be extemely high, like manic, and I have also witnessed his energy drop very suddenly, this is a recurring pattern that I have witnessed many times.
I can confirm that from my understanding of bipolar having been a social worker and counsellor in the past as well as researching on the internet, I have witnessed Scott's ADHD and bipolar symptoms being present at least 90% of the time and I have seen the impact of them and not being able to follow through (as you will see in the evidence below both in the documentation and the videos below the documentation on this page). These video below on this page are videos that occurred over the last ten years in real time. Scott was just recording things as they were happening.
I can also confirm that I have personally witnessed Scott frequently become irritable, hypersensitive, low attention span and extremely overwhelmed. I would frquently see Scott get frustrated and overwhelmed with what would seem like the simplest task to an average person who does not have the mental disorders that Scott does. I have watched him cry just at the very thought of looking at a mess of wires that he was trying to organize.
I would often witness Scott start a task or a project and he would come up with great ideas, and then I would witness him never follow through on so many of them, he would get it started and would never get it completed. He has a very difficult time completing tasks, particularly without any assistance from someone to keep him on track and focussed, and remind him of the task he started .
Scott also gets distracted very easily and by the time he's distracted, he's not present to all the commitments he made and he forgets all his priorities. It's like he loses his focus entirely on a daily basis.
Scott went bankrupt twice, both in 2003 and in 2018. The fact that Scott could not afford his meds on a consistent basis, it had a negitive impact on his ability to function and stay focussed. If you take a look at the bankruptcy papers that are also enclosed below on this page, you will also notice that the cause of the bankruptcy in both cases was related to drug addiction and mental health issues.
Scott went into treatment in 1999 for addiction to cocaine, alcohol, crack, and other illegal non-prescribed drugs, including hallucinogenics.
After getting out of treatment, Scott went into prisons, detox centres, etc to help addicts, and he still helps addicts to this day. And he founded Addictions Anonymous in 2002 which later became incorporated to what it is called today which is All Addictions Anonymous.
Scott was formally diagnosed with ADHD coincided with Bipolar 11 in 2004. He was getting therapy prior to this diagnosis and he only went to see the psychiatrist after the therapy did not work.
Scott tells me that he seeked the opinions of three different doctors to confirm the diagnosis because he didn't want to believe it. And ALL three doctors signed off on ADHD and Bipolar 11 diagnosis.
Scott had also told me that along his journey, he had to take lithium for bipolar. And then he made the decision to get off of lithium because of what he learned about this medication causing damages to the kidney.
Dr. Hammer and Dr. Ozarsky officially diagnosed Scott with Bipolar 11 in 2004. And Dr. Jain officially diagnosed Scott with ADHD also in 2004 (proof of documentation is below).
In addition to having his family doctor at the time, Dr. Bagaria, Scott had a secondary doctor, Dr. J.S. Brooks. Dr. Brooks was a doctor who specialized in helping addicts. Scott was referred to Dr. Brooks by another addict.
Dr. Brooks was treating Scott for his bipolar disorder at the time and he was giving him his meds for the bipolar, concerta, depression, and all other related medications. Dr. Brooks was the one who knew all about these medications and prescribed them for Scott, he wasn't just a regular family doctor.
And then when Dr. Brooks suddenly died, Scott had an episode occur, and he was still living at 40 Wickstead Way in Thornhill at the time. And somehow, his previous girlfriend whom he was living with at the time, Cindy Harris and Scott's friends did an intervention on him and they were able to get Scott into CAMH. Scott's friend, Nafisha Somani who has known Scott for over 20 years, and knows of his situation, I am sure she will be able to clarify the details.
And when this crisis thing happened, he met Dr. Jain the number one kid specialists expert in the world at CAMH for treating ADHD, ADD in children
he was only able to see him because he got in on a study. Dr. Jain was conducting a study of which I was a recipient of. The study had to do with no pharmaceutical drugs at all, that was what Dr. Jan taught for people, and it worked for a number of people and didn't work for a number of others. In terms of it being a solution to ADHD that did involve taking medication, Scott told him he didn't want to be on meds, but he convinced Scott to take them, and so he tried the meds and finally found his balance with the meds with 6 pills a day.
So at this point, Scott only has the support of Dr. Jain, the psychiatrist at CAMH and his first family doctor, Dr. Bagaria who he has known for about thirty years because he was his doctor at Jane And Finch where Scott grew up,
And then, Dr. Jain winds down his practice, so he no longer is treating adults, he shifts his practice where he is only treating kids with ADHD and ADD. So Dr. Jain dismisses Scott into the competent care of his family doctor, Dr. Bagaria.
Dr. Bagaria then dies and Scott is left with no support system. He was left fragile and very vulnerable.
Scott did go through bouts of depression right after Dr. Jain (then have to date the year) had to terminate him as a patient because he had accepted a new job where he was only allowed to work with children with ADHD. So he had to put all of his patients back into the care of their family doctor. And upon discharging Scott as a patient back into the care of his family doctor, Dr. Jain wrote a note that he believed Scott was doing well and that may or may not have been the case.
But what Scott can recall and what he has told me is that after he wasn't having those meetings with Dr. Jain anymore, he had stopped his exercise habbit, which was running and this happened after he has lost his support system.
Scott also went through various levels of depression after he stopped seeing Dr. Jain, and this was all while he was building All Addictions Anonymous, which was very successful worldwide helping 1000s of addicts and addicts helping addicts all over the world.
Scott would use his letter from Dr. Jain to get his ADHD medication.
What Scott can say, and I can personally vouch for because I have seen it for myself, is that the ADHD medication has helped, but despit that, I have still witnessed Scott go through all the negitive impacts of his mental condition as mentioned above. And I can't imagine how he would function if he didn't have his meds.
And with everything that happened during COVID affecting his ability to generate an inclome which was dependent on a studio. And the studio shut down as a result of social distancing laws as a result of the pandamic, and all the financial hardship that has come with it, I have seen Scott paralyzed up to the point where it had a negitive impact on his ability to earn an income for the last two years because of his mental health condition and the issues related to the economic insecurities which in addition caused enormous stress on his mental health.
I was a Co-Executive director for one of Scott's not-for-profits Scott founded, called Addiction Free Youth. I was also a board member for All Addictions Anonymous, a federally incorporated not-for-profit that Scott founded in 2003 which is still in existance.
Based on the information I reviewed on this page and knowing Scott for 12 years now, here's what I want to say ...
When I first met Scott in 2010, I met him in a course we were taking in Mental Health at George Brown, I had the opportunity to observe his school programs endorced by Doctor Gabor Mete as well as Dr. Stanton Peele in the Addiction Provention programs. And over this time I have known Scott, I have definitely observed the impact of the mental illness, the ADHD, bipolar, depression, and I have also witnessed and been a recipient myself of his contribution to society as he has made a difference for me in various ways.
In the first year I met Scott, he was at the peak of his school programs, to date having done 200 schools all over Cananda and the US helping at risk kids. Over the time I have known Scott and even today despite his mental illnesses, he is a great contribution to society.
And when Scott was unable to carry on with his mission because of financial and economic hardship, he became suicidal and very depressed, and I have personally been a witness to this.
Over the past 12 years that I have known Scott, I have witnessed him have severe mood swings. This is even the case at present date, I see him having his extreme highs and extreme lows. I have witnessed his moods be extemely high, like manic, and I have also witnessed his energy drop very suddenly, this is a recurring pattern that I have witnessed many times.
I can confirm that from my understanding of bipolar having been a social worker and counsellor in the past as well as researching on the internet, I have witnessed Scott's ADHD and bipolar symptoms being present at least 90% of the time and I have seen the impact of them and not being able to follow through (as you will see in the evidence below both in the documentation and the videos below the documentation on this page). These video below on this page are videos that occurred over the last ten years in real time. Scott was just recording things as they were happening.
I can also confirm that I have personally witnessed Scott frequently become irritable, hypersensitive, low attention span and extremely overwhelmed. I would frquently see Scott get frustrated and overwhelmed with what would seem like the simplest task to an average person who does not have the mental disorders that Scott does. I have watched him cry just at the very thought of looking at a mess of wires that he was trying to organize.
I would often witness Scott start a task or a project and he would come up with great ideas, and then I would witness him never follow through on so many of them, he would get it started and would never get it completed. He has a very difficult time completing tasks, particularly without any assistance from someone to keep him on track and focussed, and remind him of the task he started .
Scott also gets distracted very easily and by the time he's distracted, he's not present to all the commitments he made and he forgets all his priorities. It's like he loses his focus entirely on a daily basis.
Scott went bankrupt twice, both in 2003 and in 2018. The fact that Scott could not afford his meds on a consistent basis, it had a negitive impact on his ability to function and stay focussed. If you take a look at the bankruptcy papers that are also enclosed below on this page, you will also notice that the cause of the bankruptcy in both cases was related to drug addiction and mental health issues.
Scott went into treatment in 1999 for addiction to cocaine, alcohol, crack, and other illegal non-prescribed drugs, including hallucinogenics.
After getting out of treatment, Scott went into prisons, detox centres, etc to help addicts, and he still helps addicts to this day. And he founded Addictions Anonymous in 2002 which later became incorporated to what it is called today which is All Addictions Anonymous.
Scott was formally diagnosed with ADHD coincided with Bipolar 11 in 2004. He was getting therapy prior to this diagnosis and he only went to see the psychiatrist after the therapy did not work.
Scott tells me that he seeked the opinions of three different doctors to confirm the diagnosis because he didn't want to believe it. And ALL three doctors signed off on ADHD and Bipolar 11 diagnosis.
Scott had also told me that along his journey, he had to take lithium for bipolar. And then he made the decision to get off of lithium because of what he learned about this medication causing damages to the kidney.
Dr. Hammer and Dr. Ozarsky officially diagnosed Scott with Bipolar 11 in 2004. And Dr. Jain officially diagnosed Scott with ADHD also in 2004 (proof of documentation is below).
In addition to having his family doctor at the time, Dr. Bagaria, Scott had a secondary doctor, Dr. J.S. Brooks. Dr. Brooks was a doctor who specialized in helping addicts. Scott was referred to Dr. Brooks by another addict.
Dr. Brooks was treating Scott for his bipolar disorder at the time and he was giving him his meds for the bipolar, concerta, depression, and all other related medications. Dr. Brooks was the one who knew all about these medications and prescribed them for Scott, he wasn't just a regular family doctor.
And then when Dr. Brooks suddenly died, Scott had an episode occur, and he was still living at 40 Wickstead Way in Thornhill at the time. And somehow, his previous girlfriend whom he was living with at the time, Cindy Harris and Scott's friends did an intervention on him and they were able to get Scott into CAMH. Scott's friend, Nafisha Somani who has known Scott for over 20 years, and knows of his situation, I am sure she will be able to clarify the details.
And when this crisis thing happened, he met Dr. Jain the number one kid specialists expert in the world at CAMH for treating ADHD, ADD in children
he was only able to see him because he got in on a study. Dr. Jain was conducting a study of which I was a recipient of. The study had to do with no pharmaceutical drugs at all, that was what Dr. Jan taught for people, and it worked for a number of people and didn't work for a number of others. In terms of it being a solution to ADHD that did involve taking medication, Scott told him he didn't want to be on meds, but he convinced Scott to take them, and so he tried the meds and finally found his balance with the meds with 6 pills a day.
So at this point, Scott only has the support of Dr. Jain, the psychiatrist at CAMH and his first family doctor, Dr. Bagaria who he has known for about thirty years because he was his doctor at Jane And Finch where Scott grew up,
And then, Dr. Jain winds down his practice, so he no longer is treating adults, he shifts his practice where he is only treating kids with ADHD and ADD. So Dr. Jain dismisses Scott into the competent care of his family doctor, Dr. Bagaria.
Dr. Bagaria then dies and Scott is left with no support system. He was left fragile and very vulnerable.
Scott did go through bouts of depression right after Dr. Jain (then have to date the year) had to terminate him as a patient because he had accepted a new job where he was only allowed to work with children with ADHD. So he had to put all of his patients back into the care of their family doctor. And upon discharging Scott as a patient back into the care of his family doctor, Dr. Jain wrote a note that he believed Scott was doing well and that may or may not have been the case.
But what Scott can recall and what he has told me is that after he wasn't having those meetings with Dr. Jain anymore, he had stopped his exercise habbit, which was running and this happened after he has lost his support system.
Scott also went through various levels of depression after he stopped seeing Dr. Jain, and this was all while he was building All Addictions Anonymous, which was very successful worldwide helping 1000s of addicts and addicts helping addicts all over the world.
Scott would use his letter from Dr. Jain to get his ADHD medication.
What Scott can say, and I can personally vouch for because I have seen it for myself, is that the ADHD medication has helped, but despit that, I have still witnessed Scott go through all the negitive impacts of his mental condition as mentioned above. And I can't imagine how he would function if he didn't have his meds.
And with everything that happened during COVID affecting his ability to generate an inclome which was dependent on a studio. And the studio shut down as a result of social distancing laws as a result of the pandamic, and all the financial hardship that has come with it, I have seen Scott paralyzed up to the point where it had a negitive impact on his ability to earn an income for the last two years because of his mental health condition and the issues related to the economic insecurities which in addition caused enormous stress on his mental health.
ADHD SYMPTOMS AT 12 YEARS OLD
DECEMBER 21, 1977
SCOTT'S MARRIAGE ENDED ONLY AFTER ONE YEAR DUE TO ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH RELAPSE
SEPTEMBER 10, 1995
CRIMINAL RECORD CAUSED BY DRUNK DRIVING
JANUARY 6, 1998
SCOTT FOUNDED ADDICTIONS ANONYMOUS IN 2002
OCTOBER 28, 2002
SCOTT'S FIRST BANKRUPTCY CAUSED BY UNTREATED MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY/ADDICTION
FEBRUARY 11, 2003
REFERRAL LETTER
DR. BROOKS FROM TORONTO GENERAL HOSPITAL
DR. BROOKS FROM TORONTO GENERAL HOSPITAL
JULY 13, 2004
ADDICTIONS ANONYMOUS
NAME CHANGE
NAME CHANGE
JULY 16, 2004
ADDICTIONS ANONYMOUS
SUPPLEMENTARY LATTERS PATENT
SUPPLEMENTARY LATTERS PATENT
JULY 26, 2004
ADDICTIONS ANONYMOUS PAPERS
AUGUST 6, 2004
ADDICTIONS ANONYMOUS
JANUARY 18, 2005
SPEAKER AT PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION FOR ADDICTION
OCTOBER 19, 2006
SHARING STAGE WITH DR. STANTON PEELE
APRIL 29, 2008
POWER OF CHOICE TRADEMARK
MARCH 17, 2010
POWER OF CHOICE WELLNESS INC. CERTIFICATE
FEBRUARY 7, 2011
AGREEMENT BETWEEN POWER OF CHOICE INC AND ADDICTION FREE YOUTH
ADDICTION FREE YOUTH FACT SHEET
2012
CAMH LETTER OF DIAGNOSIS
MAY 18, 2012
LEASE AGREEMENT
ADDICTION FREE YOUTH/CHOICE EMPOWERED YOUTH
ADDICTION FREE YOUTH/CHOICE EMPOWERED YOUTH
JANUARY 1, 2014
ALL ADDICTIONS ANONYMOUS CORPORATION INFORMATION SHEET
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
SCOTT IS THE FOUNDER OF HOPE AND HAPPINESS SERVICES
OCTOBER 6, 2015
PATIENT AUDIT HISTORY
OCTOBER 23, 2015
HOPE AND HAPPINESS BOARD MEETING
APRIL 2, 2018
NINETY DAY AGREEMENT NATALIE URODA AND SAMEENA FERNANDES
SEPTEMBER 12, 2018
SCOTT'S SECOND BANKRUPTCY CAUSED BY MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY
FEBRUARY 16, 2019
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On Tue, Mar 22, 2022 at 10:54 AM SA Intake (MCCSS) <SA-Intake@ontario.ca> wrote:
Hello Scott,
I tried calling and message states you are unavailable, please contact me.
My name is Amanda. I am a Case Worker from the Intake and Benefits Administration Unit’.
I received your application for Ontario Works and will need to confirm details prior to determining eligibility.
If you may please contact me at my direct line 289-321-2502
If you could also please send me two pieces of government issued ID. This can be a drivers license, passport, health card, SIN card or age of majority card.
I also need your banking information which includes your:
1. Bank name and type of account
2. Account Number
3. Transit Number
4. Institution Number
5. Balance in account
I need this for any open bank accounts you have at the moment.
If you could please reply to this email with the information requested.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you,
Amanda D
Caseworker
Intake and Benefits Administration Unit (IBAU)
Social Assistance Central Services Branch
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Contact Centre: 1-888-999-1142
General Fax Line: 1-833-722-1643
General E-mail: SA-Intake@ontario.ca
Hello Scott,
I tried calling and message states you are unavailable, please contact me.
My name is Amanda. I am a Case Worker from the Intake and Benefits Administration Unit’.
I received your application for Ontario Works and will need to confirm details prior to determining eligibility.
If you may please contact me at my direct line 289-321-2502
If you could also please send me two pieces of government issued ID. This can be a drivers license, passport, health card, SIN card or age of majority card.
I also need your banking information which includes your:
1. Bank name and type of account
2. Account Number
3. Transit Number
4. Institution Number
5. Balance in account
I need this for any open bank accounts you have at the moment.
If you could please reply to this email with the information requested.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you,
Amanda D
Caseworker
Intake and Benefits Administration Unit (IBAU)
Social Assistance Central Services Branch
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Contact Centre: 1-888-999-1142
General Fax Line: 1-833-722-1643
General E-mail: SA-Intake@ontario.ca
From: Scott Gallagher <turnarounddottv@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 22, 2022 at 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: application information needed
To: Sameena <sameena@my1111agreement.com>, Wellmedica Brampton - Do Not Reply <wellmedicareception@gmail.com>
Cc: SA Intake (MCCSS) <SA-Intake@ontario.ca>, Customer <scott@turnaround.tv>
Hello as well Amanda,
Thank you so much for treating my situation and that of Ms Sameena Fernandes will such urgency.
I have replied to Sameena’s email to you and I have also cc’d Dr. Goldberg at wellmedicareception@gmail.com should you wish to confirm anything with him.
Just letting you know that, ive been self-employed for about 30 years now and I never expected I would be asking for this kind of help.
Back in 2004 I was diagnosed with Adhd, depression and bipolar 2. I went bankrupt in 2019 and then my financial/business situation worsened even more when lockdowns started happening March of 2020.
As Sameena Fernandes’ roommate, I gave her my legally required 60 days notice to terminate my room mate arrangement with her due to landlord harrassment as per this video https://youtu.be/DujP_SZEJxc I sent to Sameena.
I also have a business/wellbeing hybrid agreement that I created for Sameena when she first confessed to me on April 4th 2017 that she wanted to end her life. You can see what Sameena wrote about that agreement on this page https://passionprojects.kartra.com/page/lWC488
Sameena responded to my video message to her of me giving my notice, by sending me this video https://youtu.be/7hX6jg4gysk a couple days later, where she made an offer for me to live rent free in exchange for me supporting her well-being during covid and represent her at the various LTB hearings against her landlord who was harassing her, and which a final T2 hearing date for me to represent Sameena has still not been set.
You can verify by going to https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/check-file-status/ and then typing in the case number is CET-02821-21 and postal code L6T 4N4.
Anyways, when the lockdowns happened, both my primary doctor and Sameena’s primary doctor refused to see their patients in person so (to save on travel expenses and because sameena does not drive) we both saw a different doctor ie Dr Norman Goldberg a number of times together in back to back appointments primarily to support Sameena with her anxiety/paranoia condition I witnessed ongoingly.
This past Thursday, March 17th, we had another doctors appointment which was supposed to be for the purpose of Dr Goldberg doing the Trillium paperwork for me because my adhd disability has me overwhelmed in doing such paperwork - and because I can no longer afford my essential medications which also includes medications for gout and urinary problems.
Sameena’s appointment was originally supposed to be about Dr Goldberg helping Sameena submit paperwork for her disability.
Dr Goldberg told us during this appointment that both Sameena and myself qualified for some sort of a disability tax credit but when I told Dr. Goldberg during our appointment that I had to cancel my car insurance so that I could use my car insurance money to buy groceries, AND given our history from numerous appointments during covid, Dr. Goldberg knew how our financial situation had progressively gotten worse and worse over the past many months.
He therefore advised myself and Sameena that we both qualified individually for Social Assistance (since we are not in a domestic partnership arrangement) and that he would fill in the paperwork and submit both of our applications himself online for us during our most recent March 17th appointment with him which he obviously did.
Both mine and Sameena's appointments together ended up being more than 2 hours long because during that appointment, Dr. Goldberg read the application questions to us and typed in our verbal answers as he explained each of the questions to make sure we were not confused, and then he helped us read everything over before signing off on our answers and submitting.
I want to conclude by saying that I feel very embarrassed asking to be supported by the government in this way and that, should I qualify, my intention would be to NOT take advantage of this kind of assistance for more than 90 days.
Both Sameena and myself have found ourselves in a situation where we find ourselves financially "dependent" upon each other out of necessity so to speak - because we have no savings so if we were to get evicted, neither of us could afford first and last months rent separately so we need to stay together as room mates for our mutual survival and wellbeing.
As for the banking information questions you have asked for Amanda, I will send you another email tomorrow before 5PM with those details you have asked for related to me personally.
Sincerely,
Scott Gallagher
Date: Tue, Mar 22, 2022 at 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: application information needed
To: Sameena <sameena@my1111agreement.com>, Wellmedica Brampton - Do Not Reply <wellmedicareception@gmail.com>
Cc: SA Intake (MCCSS) <SA-Intake@ontario.ca>, Customer <scott@turnaround.tv>
Hello as well Amanda,
Thank you so much for treating my situation and that of Ms Sameena Fernandes will such urgency.
I have replied to Sameena’s email to you and I have also cc’d Dr. Goldberg at wellmedicareception@gmail.com should you wish to confirm anything with him.
Just letting you know that, ive been self-employed for about 30 years now and I never expected I would be asking for this kind of help.
Back in 2004 I was diagnosed with Adhd, depression and bipolar 2. I went bankrupt in 2019 and then my financial/business situation worsened even more when lockdowns started happening March of 2020.
As Sameena Fernandes’ roommate, I gave her my legally required 60 days notice to terminate my room mate arrangement with her due to landlord harrassment as per this video https://youtu.be/DujP_SZEJxc I sent to Sameena.
I also have a business/wellbeing hybrid agreement that I created for Sameena when she first confessed to me on April 4th 2017 that she wanted to end her life. You can see what Sameena wrote about that agreement on this page https://passionprojects.kartra.com/page/lWC488
Sameena responded to my video message to her of me giving my notice, by sending me this video https://youtu.be/7hX6jg4gysk a couple days later, where she made an offer for me to live rent free in exchange for me supporting her well-being during covid and represent her at the various LTB hearings against her landlord who was harassing her, and which a final T2 hearing date for me to represent Sameena has still not been set.
You can verify by going to https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/check-file-status/ and then typing in the case number is CET-02821-21 and postal code L6T 4N4.
Anyways, when the lockdowns happened, both my primary doctor and Sameena’s primary doctor refused to see their patients in person so (to save on travel expenses and because sameena does not drive) we both saw a different doctor ie Dr Norman Goldberg a number of times together in back to back appointments primarily to support Sameena with her anxiety/paranoia condition I witnessed ongoingly.
This past Thursday, March 17th, we had another doctors appointment which was supposed to be for the purpose of Dr Goldberg doing the Trillium paperwork for me because my adhd disability has me overwhelmed in doing such paperwork - and because I can no longer afford my essential medications which also includes medications for gout and urinary problems.
Sameena’s appointment was originally supposed to be about Dr Goldberg helping Sameena submit paperwork for her disability.
Dr Goldberg told us during this appointment that both Sameena and myself qualified for some sort of a disability tax credit but when I told Dr. Goldberg during our appointment that I had to cancel my car insurance so that I could use my car insurance money to buy groceries, AND given our history from numerous appointments during covid, Dr. Goldberg knew how our financial situation had progressively gotten worse and worse over the past many months.
He therefore advised myself and Sameena that we both qualified individually for Social Assistance (since we are not in a domestic partnership arrangement) and that he would fill in the paperwork and submit both of our applications himself online for us during our most recent March 17th appointment with him which he obviously did.
Both mine and Sameena's appointments together ended up being more than 2 hours long because during that appointment, Dr. Goldberg read the application questions to us and typed in our verbal answers as he explained each of the questions to make sure we were not confused, and then he helped us read everything over before signing off on our answers and submitting.
I want to conclude by saying that I feel very embarrassed asking to be supported by the government in this way and that, should I qualify, my intention would be to NOT take advantage of this kind of assistance for more than 90 days.
Both Sameena and myself have found ourselves in a situation where we find ourselves financially "dependent" upon each other out of necessity so to speak - because we have no savings so if we were to get evicted, neither of us could afford first and last months rent separately so we need to stay together as room mates for our mutual survival and wellbeing.
As for the banking information questions you have asked for Amanda, I will send you another email tomorrow before 5PM with those details you have asked for related to me personally.
Sincerely,
Scott Gallagher
Scott Gallagher <turnarounddottv@gmail.com>Mar 23, 2022, 4:56 PM (16 hours ago)
to SA
Hello again Amanda,
I promised you yesterday via email that I would send you my banking information before 5pm today and am not able to do that. I am re-promising to get that to you before 5pm tomorrow instead.
Short explanation for this delay is that an unexpected financial crisis situation happened that took me 2 hours to deal with today. My car insurance payment that was not supposed to go through my bank account because I had put my car insurance on suspension last week actually went through my account last night and as a result I got dinged 45 dollars NSF with bank as well as another 50 dollars with the insurance company for NSF on their end ie even though the insurance company promised me that they would be putting no more than 33 dollars through on Monday through my account their system tried to put the full 186.83 cents through resulting in these NSF charges.
Anyways, it’s a long boring story but what I was able to do so far is create this password protected page for you
http://www.alladdictionsanonymous.com/scotts-private-information.html
and on this page right now, is a picture of my drivers license and health card - and the password for this protected page is my social insurance number which ends in 801
I will have everything you asked for on this page regarding bank account details before 5pm tomorrow and will most likely give you a call sometime after Sameena speaks with you tomorrow.
My apologies for not being my word.
Scott Gallagher
to SA
Hello again Amanda,
I promised you yesterday via email that I would send you my banking information before 5pm today and am not able to do that. I am re-promising to get that to you before 5pm tomorrow instead.
Short explanation for this delay is that an unexpected financial crisis situation happened that took me 2 hours to deal with today. My car insurance payment that was not supposed to go through my bank account because I had put my car insurance on suspension last week actually went through my account last night and as a result I got dinged 45 dollars NSF with bank as well as another 50 dollars with the insurance company for NSF on their end ie even though the insurance company promised me that they would be putting no more than 33 dollars through on Monday through my account their system tried to put the full 186.83 cents through resulting in these NSF charges.
Anyways, it’s a long boring story but what I was able to do so far is create this password protected page for you
http://www.alladdictionsanonymous.com/scotts-private-information.html
and on this page right now, is a picture of my drivers license and health card - and the password for this protected page is my social insurance number which ends in 801
I will have everything you asked for on this page regarding bank account details before 5pm tomorrow and will most likely give you a call sometime after Sameena speaks with you tomorrow.
My apologies for not being my word.
Scott Gallagher
Here’s a picture of the room I rent from Sameena at 10 Lisa Street Brampton, which as you can see, I also use to do my daily zoom appointments that I have with prospective customers AND in service of All Addictions Anonymous, Get Booked to Book Others, and honoring my 1111 agreement with Sameena Fernandes ie https://passionprojects.kartra.com/page/lWC488
Bank account details;
$ 165.18 (261.01 minus 186.83 plus 91 dollars) SIMPLII chequing 0036613867 (on file with CRA)
$ 13.16 TANGERINE Chequing 4011126633 (I use this account for business income/expense transactions)
$ 165.18 (261.01 minus 186.83 plus 91 dollars) SIMPLII chequing 0036613867 (on file with CRA)
$ 13.16 TANGERINE Chequing 4011126633 (I use this account for business income/expense transactions)
Scott Gallagher <turnarounddottv@gmail.com>
12:36 PM to SA
Hello again Amanda,
To be responsible for safeguarding me against possible identity theft, I sent you this private password protected page http://www.alladdictionsanonymous.com/scotts-private-information.html letting you know the password is my social insurance number.
I’ve provided additional financial disclosure on this page this morning to give you a more whole and complete view of my financial picture as well.
The auto insurance agent I previously told you I had spoke to, after escalating the call and talking to his finance team about my situation, advised me that their system will attempt to take out the 186.83 cents again as early as next Monday - and that there is nothing the agent can do to stop their next attempt at getting this payment, so if I don’t have the 186.83 in the account when they try and take it again, then I will be getting another 50 dollar NSF charge from them, which means I would get another 45 dollar NSF charge from my bank as well.
I’ve also been told that within the next 2 weeks my car insurance company will be crediting my bank account approximately 91 dollars. Bottom line is that, in reality, my simplii bank account has 261.01 minus 186.83 plus 91 dollars which equals 165.18
My intention for pro-actively putting my car insurance on suspension was so that I could have more money to purchase my meds and groceries and I currently have a prescription waiting at the pharmacy for me which costs over 150 dollars to fill and which is money I don’t have right now - and I still have 4 more days left of this prescription before it runs out.
I should have 113 dollars in my tangerine bank account but when I went in the account this morning it says I only have 13.16 cents available and it says that is because they’ve put a hold on 100 dollars of my money because the monthly bell internet fee is coming out of my account at midnight tonight.
After looking everywhere for spare change, as of right now I have a total of 27 dollars in cash as well.
I own a 2007 toyota prius which needs servicing and is parked downstairs in the garage until I can afford to activate the insurance again and I estimate the value of the car to be worth no more than 3 thousand dollars. My doctor typed 3 thousand in the form for me based on me telling him that figure which is probably a bit high. Maybe im wrong but I don’t think so.
That’s everything I can think of that you might need from me financially, and to be responsible for my Adhd and Bipolar 2 conditions (medical letter proof of these conditions is also included on the password protected page link I sent you) I document just about everything on video and/or audio, so if you have additional questions for me that I cant answer right away, I can (because im in the video marketing & consulting business) look through my media file archives to remind me of what happened in my life during any particular time period you ask of me - to help bring back my documemented memories.
Once again, to be responsible for safeguarding me against identify theft, this page http://www.alladdictionsanonymous.com/scotts-private-information.html contains all the information you asked of me and once again the password to access this page is my social insurance number.
Sincerely,
Scott Gallagher
12:36 PM to SA
Hello again Amanda,
To be responsible for safeguarding me against possible identity theft, I sent you this private password protected page http://www.alladdictionsanonymous.com/scotts-private-information.html letting you know the password is my social insurance number.
I’ve provided additional financial disclosure on this page this morning to give you a more whole and complete view of my financial picture as well.
The auto insurance agent I previously told you I had spoke to, after escalating the call and talking to his finance team about my situation, advised me that their system will attempt to take out the 186.83 cents again as early as next Monday - and that there is nothing the agent can do to stop their next attempt at getting this payment, so if I don’t have the 186.83 in the account when they try and take it again, then I will be getting another 50 dollar NSF charge from them, which means I would get another 45 dollar NSF charge from my bank as well.
I’ve also been told that within the next 2 weeks my car insurance company will be crediting my bank account approximately 91 dollars. Bottom line is that, in reality, my simplii bank account has 261.01 minus 186.83 plus 91 dollars which equals 165.18
My intention for pro-actively putting my car insurance on suspension was so that I could have more money to purchase my meds and groceries and I currently have a prescription waiting at the pharmacy for me which costs over 150 dollars to fill and which is money I don’t have right now - and I still have 4 more days left of this prescription before it runs out.
I should have 113 dollars in my tangerine bank account but when I went in the account this morning it says I only have 13.16 cents available and it says that is because they’ve put a hold on 100 dollars of my money because the monthly bell internet fee is coming out of my account at midnight tonight.
After looking everywhere for spare change, as of right now I have a total of 27 dollars in cash as well.
I own a 2007 toyota prius which needs servicing and is parked downstairs in the garage until I can afford to activate the insurance again and I estimate the value of the car to be worth no more than 3 thousand dollars. My doctor typed 3 thousand in the form for me based on me telling him that figure which is probably a bit high. Maybe im wrong but I don’t think so.
That’s everything I can think of that you might need from me financially, and to be responsible for my Adhd and Bipolar 2 conditions (medical letter proof of these conditions is also included on the password protected page link I sent you) I document just about everything on video and/or audio, so if you have additional questions for me that I cant answer right away, I can (because im in the video marketing & consulting business) look through my media file archives to remind me of what happened in my life during any particular time period you ask of me - to help bring back my documemented memories.
Once again, to be responsible for safeguarding me against identify theft, this page http://www.alladdictionsanonymous.com/scotts-private-information.html contains all the information you asked of me and once again the password to access this page is my social insurance number.
Sincerely,
Scott Gallagher