r/povertyfinancecanada

My son just turned 19. We finally got around to do his taxes. My son is severely disabled- he has a rare genetic disorder called Trisomy 17p. Along with ADHD and mild form of OCD. I was just wondering if he’ll get back pay for The Canadian Disability benefit- he has had the DTC since 4 and we have an RDSP set up for him. Does it go back a year? Does GST as well? He finally got his PWD here in BC . He lives with me full time. Thank you

Resolved as of May 20, 2026 at 10:00PM- OP recieved the payment as of the above time- thank you everyone

Hello:

I am with EQ Bank, and I have never had issues with direct deposits, they have always come early (1-3 days early). However, I did not get my $200 CDB payment, and I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing this issue also?

For context, I have been in the automotive/dealership industry since 2015. I worked in the industry until 2022 after which I got into SaaS sales. I was able to go from Sales Rep to Finance manager in my 7~ years at 2 different dealerships. In 2023 I got laid off from my first SaaS job after 6 months, along with all of the other sales employees. I was able to find another job fairly quickly. Worked for a company until October of 2024 - I was a top performing rep making $130K+ and basically maxing out all the bonuses. The company got acquired by a Canadian tech giant and they laid us all off in 2024. I was never able to recover financially, my next job was $40K a year plus commission and I barley made $500 in commission a month. I found another job, making around $80k a year with commissions, however was laid off last month with 1 month severance package. The company posted the same job with a different title for $24 an hour the next day. The company continued to employ other workers who were constantly far below quota.

I always show up on time, achieve my targets and then boom few months later I get that meeting with HR. I decided to apply for roles at dealerships again as there is some job security at a dealership. However, all the dealerships don't even bother calling me back. I am applying for sales jobs at dealerships and over 40 of them ignored my application. I reached out to my previous employer (dealership), they interviewed me as I was still in touch with the GM however, the sales managers hired a pretty girl who looks good on TikTok.

When I worked at a dealership before, I always had a company vehicle (demo) and was poached by other dealers to join them. Why is it so difficult to get a job even in entry level roles. I am genuinely exhausted, I am a 31 year old male and I feel like I've wasted my time in the wrong industry or not sure if the entire Canadian job market is messed up. I have enough resources to get through until end of next month before I really start to worry.

Location: GTA (specifically West End)

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a bare-minimum, extremely cheap mobile plan in Newfoundland. This would be for a secondary phone used only for occasional calls and text messages.

I know Koodo has a $100/year ($8.33/month) prepaid plan, but it actually gives me more minutes than I need. I'm trying to find out if there is an even cheaper "pay-as-you-go" or annual option available here. I don't need any data at all—just the ability to receive/send a text or make a quick call once in a while.

Does anyone know of a provider or specific plan available in NL that beats the $100/year mark?

Thank you in advance!

Edit. This is for a relative who may occasionally need to contact me when outside. So I am not interested in the options requiring data as if they have data they can just contact me via messenger. Also this is something which will be needed a couple of months in Spring, Sept, Oct, Nov. Basically when there is school and the weather isn't bad in Newfoundland. So, maybe I just use monthly options for the required months only.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who gave advice and recipes on my previous post. And especially to those who were understanding of the complex circumstances of being an international student.

I reached out (again - believe me I've been self-advocating) to my funders and found out/finally confirmed that I was being underpaid around $8000. In the coming months, that will be rectified. This was a massive part of the reason for my food insecurity all throughout my studies thus far. I was both in debt to the university and without any food or living money without working (which I did to make ends meet). I'll be okay now.

Again thank you to the wonderful sub. I am still applying all of the recipe ideas, and I hope that the resources linked help any future students/people in general who find themselves in my position.

Hi everyone,

I am currently in Bankruptcy and I was wondering if I could apply for a BYOD plan with Bell if they were included in my bankruptcy?

I was approved for CDCP (Canadian Dental Care Plan) in June 2025 with 100% coverage. I had my first cleaning in November and didn’t have to pay out of pocket.

I had another cleaning in May and was charged $200. Their explanation to me from the receptionist didn’t make sense because they said I ran out of coverage, it was not covered this time but wouldn’t explain to me why or how, only that it renewed in November (my first visit), not in June. I have now learned through the internet that most dentists do not charge according to the outdated government health guidelines (they charge more). I’ve now asked for an itemized receipt and waiting to hear back. It’s crazy to me that I could only get one cleaning fully covered in less than a year and that they recommend cleanings every 4 months, paying out of pocket for the rest. My case is very simple and uncomplicated. Cleanings were done by a dental hygienist, I only saw the dentist for less than 5 mins each time and it was me talking about needing a nightguard, no issues with my teeth for extra.

Can anyone recommend a dentist who doesn’t overcharge or sneak in extra fees during the visit? I was fine with paying out of pocket for the cleaning as I was only told when I arrived there, but once I sat in the chair, they also told me fluoride and polishing weren’t covered either and I had to pay even more for that. I felt a bit duped and annoyed to be put in that situation while in the chair.

I have a simple and uncomplicated situation, no fillings, cavities or any issues with my teeth except the pressure on them which seems to be from clenching. The cleaning was performed by a dental hygienist and I only saw the dentist for less than 5 mins each time. It was mostly me asking about the nightguard and they didn’t bring anything else up.

I’m already getting a nightguard ordered (I know this is out of pocket) and put another $200 deposit for this and they wouldn’t tell me how much extra the final amount would be once it was ready, so I’m feeling like the transparency isn’t here with this clinic.

I grew up in deep poverty, including in foster care. When I aged out partway through 12th grade I was homeless. I got amazing grades and did a bunch of extracurriculars and volunteer work, even when I was homeless, and that combined with my story won me a $50,000 university scholarship. I thought I’d go and get a degree and have a job where I’d never have to worry about feeding myself or about where I was going to sleep.

But life basically turned around and kicked me in the teeth. I had a great first year of university, 4.3 GPA, working as a research assistant in the faculty of family medicine, the whole nine yards, but over the summer I got sick. I’d been having paranoid and suspicious thoughts for a while, but it started to spiral as I began having more and more fears, and began hearing voices a lot of the time instead of just occasionally. To make a long story short, I ended up dropping out, losing my job, experiencing chronic homelessness, being hospitalized many times, and ended up diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I take medicine, I see therapists, I get injections, I do everything “right”, but I didn’t get better, or at least I haven’t yet.

Now I have such severe symptoms I’m unable to hold down a real job. I work 4-ish hours a week in a training cafe for people with disabilities, where they’re luckily extremely patient and kind, but I haven’t been able to get or keep anything full time. I’m on disability payments, and I’m grateful the program exists, but it’s very very little money to survive on. I use the food bank once a month, which is as often as Feed NS food banks allow you to. I feel like such a scrounger, constantly asking my few remaining friends—who are my age and now out of uni starting their careers—if I can have a little money for groceries. I beg on Facebook for food, I beg on Reddit for Amazon grocery items, I’m desperate enough that I’ve come really close to panhandling for change. It’s like my life is all about how I’ll afford my next meal.

I feel so screwed over. I never messed around with drugs, I never skipped school or did anything “wrong”, and this is what my life has come to, with no prospects of it ever changing since I doubt I’ll ever be able to finish school or work a job on the open job market.

I guess I’m looking for advice, or commiseration if anyone else here is on disability. Local resources would also be appreciated. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

When I first moved into this town, my only rental option that allowed pets was a 2 bedroom apartment that costs $1165 per month. Even with a 40 hr/week job that I've been at for 5 years, I'm living paycheck to paycheck and due to chronic fatigue and having too much stuff, I wouldn't be able to move until I've recovered for a while and have the free time that unemployment allows.

My bare minimum expenditures would look something like:

Rent: $1165

Cell contract+wifi+data plan: $175 (I'll hopefully have cheaper options when the contract and bundle discount expires, I can't afford to buy it out)

Electric: ~$75/ month

Groceries: ~$375 month (food, dish soap, cat supplies, toiletries)

And a cab to and from applying for jobs: ~$14 per trip and a planned 10 trips per month= ~$140

In total without any recreation, I pay almost $2000 per month and if EI pays 55% of my paycheck, I'd only be making $1100 per month. For the sake of my mental health I need to quit my job before it yeets me. Does EI take into account high cost-of-living areas and situations or am I gonna die before I'm 30? Getting a no pets apartment isn't an option even if they are $500/month cheaper.

As the title says, I'm tired. More like beyond exhausted, really. I've been in chronic pain for years, pain getting worse as time goes by. At first, it was trying to find a doctor who would take me seriously. Had to change job because I cant stand for too long anymore due to pain. Now I can't look at a screen for too long without triggering intense migraines. Tried a lot of stuff to ease it but nothing been helpful enough to keep me being reliable. Spending my sick days in the 1st month of the year.. as you can imagine, I've since then been considered disabled and unable to work, so my work insurance was covering me. Now they want to reassess my disability and made an appointment with a neuropsy, a month and a half after cutting me... ok I waited.. only for the neuropsy to reschedule my appointment a month later. I have no revenue since mid March, applied for ciph, applied for the last resort financial help (whatever that is called, im in Québec if that helps? 😅), doctor signed off all papers and stuff, and yet, they still want me to go to their office, even if I can barely walk 🙃 I was waiting on tax return to breathe a bit and pay way overdue bills, but since I applied for ciph, they will assess my return sometimes somewhere by the end of June.

Friends and family are helping as they can, but its not enough for rent, bills, groceries, etc.

Idk what to do anymore, I do everything I can but the bureaucracy is so intense...

If anyone have an idea of what could help? Im almost bed bound and I cant keep reading pages and pages of text with my migraines (even if everything on my cellphone is set to be the less triggering possible, I had to take several breaks just to write this... 😬).

Anyway, thanks if you read all that, I basically needed to vent and if I can get any ideas in the process to not end up in the streets, that would be great 😅 never been rich but never been this deep in poverty 😬

My dad is gonna pull out his cpp at 60 next year and is getting 922 a month or 11064 a year. He makes 56k a year employment income. How much will he owe when he files for income tax? Anyone here receiving their cpp while working?

I forgot about this. Just received $49.11 via eTransfer. Nice for the long weekend. Now I can buy groceries.

Has anyone else received their claim amount? I think it's $24.11 or $49.11 but I can't recall why the difference in amounts.

so I’ve been accepted to go back to school in September and I’m in New Brunswick if it matters I’m currently looking at options for student loans and I was told that there was a $2800 grant. Does anyone know what I would need in support of this? From my understanding, the support is for technology.

Ontario.

Someone explain to me why the f#%^ justice is so expensive.

I am travelling 4 hours away to finally face my abuser in court. (That's where court is held. Can't do anything about it).

The government covers a portion of my hotel, free breakfast, 7$ for lunch* and 11$ for dinner.

I am OUT OF POCKET for anything over that.

I'm so friggen angry. I'm beyond retraumatized.

I didn't realize justice costs the victim this much

Rant over.

Edit* mistyped breakfast instead of Lunch. Free breakfast at the hotel

I went through a separation at the end of 2022 and had to start completely over, my ex and I owned property and a house together and we are currently still in a legal battle to split our assets- He stopped showing up to mediation last year and I finally got the go ahead for an uncontested trial.
The trial has been booked for this fall.
In 2022 -2024, I racked up $35,000 in unsecured debt. Within the past year or so, I have managed to pay off $15,000 out of the $35,000.
A few weeks ago I received a notification from the CRA saying that they were reassessing my tax returns from 2016-2024, this week I received a letter in the mail stating that I owe $15,250.00 in taxes which is insane. I called and spoke to a representative who stated that the lowest payment they would take is $1,000 a month, there’s obviously no way in hell I can afford that , so I asked if I had any other options and she sent me a form to fill out to lower the monthly payments- if accepted.
I’m honestly feeling so overwhelmed and like I’m drowning in debt again, basically like the 15,000 I paid off meant nothing and I’m back at square one.
I would love to wait until the uncontested trial is over and use some of that money to pay off my debt but I have a feeling my ex will end up not paying whatever amount is granted and I’ll have to take him to court again.
I’m honestly at a loss and I’m not sure if I should try to pay everything down again and wait for the separation settlement or file for a consumer proposal. I’m also terrified to go the consumer proposal route. I’m worried about my credit rating being bad for the 5+ years, i’m also worried about the stigma.

I lost my apartment due to a fire and was approved for emergency accommodations through Alberta works they refused to extend it and denied me emergency financial services for food while at the temporary hotel I'm a single father who hasn't been able to work since Feb due to herniated disc my son's are now staying with my mother in law my fiance mother of my kids passed two years ago I feel as though I lost it all against my will my finances never been this bad I worked in the oilfield for years I'm not used to this poverty Alberta works denied me benefits I'm waiting for the appeal in 2-3 days I'm lost

I don't need to hear about how much I fucked up. I'm an idiot and I suck. I know that. I feel absolutely awful. Please try not to be too unkind.

I submitted 13 receipts for therapy to my insurance. These were real therapy sessions, but I did not pay my therapist. The total amount owed to my therapist is around $1550. My therapist has kindly decided to forgive my debt to her and consider it pro bono work. I did not have enough money, even after working, to pay rent and eat, and stupidly, this was what I did to get by. I have a whole sob story but it does not excuse what I did.

I received a letter in the mail asking for receipts of all my claims in the past 12 months. I have sent in all my receipts, all of which say "no payment". The letter says "If the information provided is found to be non-compliant, we may need to review your entire file and seek reimbursement for the claims we have paid for and for which we are unable to confirm the legitimacy. Moreover, we are taking this opportunity to remind you that any user who does not comply with the terms of use of our online service may lose access to it".

How fucked am I? What do I do? Do I play stupid?

Is paying the money back and losing access to my insurance's online portal the only consequences I may face? How likely am I to have this reported to my employer (and subsequently lose my job)? Am I looking at legal consequences?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have a paid off house approax 1.3M , I took a business loan of around 600k . If i file bankcruptcy can the lender come after my house ? I dont have any other property or any assets. Has someone experience dealing with such situations ? I have some savings in RRSP and TFSA .