Money is now available from a successful class action settlement of more than $10 million.
Borrowers can get a minimum of $50, depending on claims volumes, and possibly more. The process is easy, flexible, and costs nothing. It has been designed so that you should not need documents to make a request for money.
If you borrowed a loan from Cash Store or Instaloans after September 1, 2011, collect what is owed to you now by submitting a claim online at www.TakeBackYourCash.com before October 31, 2016.
If you don’t want to click on the link, you can enter the email address into your browser instead.
Any information you provide will only be used to help you in the process. It will not be shared with any debt collectors or anyone affiliated with them.
TakeBackYourCash.com is your best resource of information, but you can also find out more on Facebook at www.facebook.com/takebackyourcash.
If you have any questions, you can call the Claims Administrator toll-free at 1-866-840-2631 or email [email protected].
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This can be a stressful time of year if you don't enjoy preparing your income taxes. It can also be a difficult and expensive process. Luckily the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) has create a new program to help. You may qualify to have your taxes completed by the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
Need a hand?
If you need help to prepare your income tax and benefit return, community organization volunteers may be able to prepare your return for you!
Who does the CVITP help?
The CVITP helps eligible taxpayers who have a modest income and a simple tax situation. This may include:
- Aboriginal peoples
- social assistance recipients
- newcomers to Canada
- seniors
- youth
Returns not eligible
Volunteers do not prepare returns for individuals who:
- have self-employment income
- have business or rental income and expenses
- have capital gains or losses
- have employment expenses
- file for bankruptcy
- are deceased in the year
How can you get help?
To find a free tax clinic in your area or to get more information about the CVITP, go to Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) or call 1-800-959-8281.
What is the CVITP?
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a collaboration between community organizations and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Community organizations host tax preparation clinics and arrange for volunteers to prepare income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals who have a modest income and a simple tax situation. The CRA provides coordinators and offers training and tax software.
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http://www.theobserver.ca/2016/01/13/united-way-campaign-supports-37-programs-in-sarnia-lambton
Currently on your hydro bill you will see the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit (10%) reduction. For all households in Ontario this will stop December 31 2015.
The OESP is an Ontario Energy Board (OEB) program that lowers electricity bills for low-income households. The OESP will provide a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size. The OESP credits will be applied directly to eligible customers’ bills.
Customers can apply online at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca. You will need to complete the online application, print and sign the consent form, and mail it to the address provided on our website.
A paper version of the application can be downloaded from the OESP application website, picked up from an intake agency or mailed to applicants by the OESP Contact Centre upon request.
You can attend our office during our walk in Clinic every Friday from 9am to 4pm for help filling out your application.
]]>Consider your lifestyle. Research the species you are interested in welcoming in to your home, the characteristics, traits, and the amount care and attention they will need. You will have to fit time in to care for the animal, dogs especially need to be walked every day. What will you realistically have time for? It is far easier to determine the particular breed you are considering to be unsuitable for your lifestyle before you adopt than afterward, when you or your children have formed a deep emotional attachment.
Talk to someone who owns the species or breed you are interested in. They can give you a good idea of what’s involved in owing that particular animal. If you are purchasing be sure to check out the breeder. You want to work with a reputable breeder.
Consider the costs. One species can be cheaper to own than another. A purebred animal can be quite expensive. Be sure to get health certificates from the breeder to certify the animal is free from certain conditions more prevalent in the breed, like hip dysplasia in large dogs. While a shelter animal will be cheaper to purchase, they often come with health conditions that require treatment by a qualified veterinarian so costs can really add up. Be aware that health related costs will increase significantly later in life, as your pet ages, so be prepared to put a nest egg aside for pet emergencies. Everyday expenses such as feeding, grooming, litter, toys, treats can add up quickly. Be sure to estimate the cost of everyday expenses such as these and include it in your pet budget. A large animal can be costly to feed. When we calculated our expenses for our Yellow Lab, who was healthy – it cost us $100.00 per month.
Pet ownership is a serious decision, one that requires time and effort and a financial and emotional commitment from you. It’s all part of being a responsible pet owner. My advice is to do your homework, be prepared. Pet ownership done successfully can enrich your life in ways you may never have expected.
~ Wendy Dupuis
]]>These are voluntary financial programs that Family Services WE offers to the community. Here’s a quick Q&A with one of the APSW’s at the agency to get a sense of their role along with the role of the Trustees in providing financial assistance to clients!
Q: What is the main role of an APSW?
A: We work with adults that have developmental disabilities and are living on their own in the community
Q: What are the types of financial services you offer to the client?
A: There are great efforts made to provide support for the individual so they are able to manage their own finances. It is the APSW’s job to direct the client towards programs and services that will help them. Financially, the APSW may utilize the trusteeship program as a route for working out some financing struggles. There is a trustee agreement made that is voluntary and it is up for alteration based on a change in the client’s financial responsibility after some sessions.
Q: Can you provide some more details on the Voluntary Trusteeship Program?
A: Yes, we provide our expertise with clients in developing budgets, paying bills and rent, deciding how much spending money they will have for the month, etc. We are a safety net for the clients, giving them useful advice and helping them manage their money. We also offer financial seminars and workshops to our clients at no cost. These help them to learn the skills necessary to achieve long term independence.
Q: What is the eligibility criteria to enter the Voluntary Trusteeship Program?
A: The program is open to all residents of Windsor-Essex Country that are 16 years of age and older and that qualifies for one or more of the following:
- Experiences difficulty when managing finances
- At risk of homelessness
- Receives OW, ODSP or a federal government pension
- Is living under the Low Income Cut-Off
- Must be able to provide direction to program staff on their needs and what they require assistance with
Contact Family Service Windsor Essex
519.966.5010
1.888.933.1831
1770 Langlois Ave.
Windsor, ON N8X4M5
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As a working mother, summer time is an exceptionally stressful time of year. It means I need to provide child care for my children. Between family members, friends, day camps and vacation bible school I’m not exactly sure what my children are up to on a daily basis.
Beyond the stress of arranging all of these pickups and drop offs at different locations and different times, I also need to be aware of the cost.
Most day camps will run you $100 to $200 per week depending on the type of camp. Even if you choose just a straight daycare cost it’s at least $35 per day.
Some parents are fortunate to have an employer that is flexible with their schedule. Maybe your employer will allow you to take all of your vacation time during the summer, or you are able to flex your schedule so that you and your partner can share the child minding.
Occasionally I have seen some parents take a lay off during the summer to stay home with their children, but most of us, financially, cannot afford that option.
If you are interested in day camp options for your little one(s), check out the programs listed below. The City of Windsor has a Financial Aid program to help defer the cost for families in financial need.
So until the school system goes to an all year round system, I will continue to fret my summers away.
~ Nicole
City of Windsor activity guide
http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/Recreation/Activity-Guide/Pages/Summer-Activity-Guide.aspx
St. Clair College Campus for Kids
http://www.stclaircollege.ca/campusforkids/cfk_windsor_campus.html
University of Windsor Camps
]]>There are a variety of different way to pay off those credit cards. Some of which are options for you to manage on your own without affecting your credit.
Our counsellors can sit down with you and discuss these strategies, and how to rethink the use of credit in your day to day spending.
Click HERE for the full article!
]]>In the second installment of Gone, the set up, it examines OSAP, student loan debts and default rates. In it, our executive director Wendy Dupuis illustrates how many people are struggling with student debt.
" Wendy Dupuis, executive director of the non-profit Financial Fitness Centre credit counselling service in Windsor, said about 20 per cent of people she sees have some form of student loan default. 'Too many people go into this without having a good understanding of what a large amount of debt means,' she said."
Check out the entire Windsor article at: The Windsor Star
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