This website is a testimony to the problems Canadian Student Loan borrowers experienced from approximately 1996 to 2008 and until their loans were paid off.

The privatization of the Student Loans system by the Chretien and Martin Liberal governments broke the system and defaulted thousands of borrowers who were trying to pay their loans. There were even stories of suicide due to the harassment of borrowers.

Read the report that I prepared back in 2007 here. Canada Student Loans-The Need for Change Fortunately the new Conservative government at the time revamped the program and fixed the system for new borrowers, but borrowers under the previous program were left with ruined credit and continued harassment from debt collectors.

I call on the Canadian Government to apologize to the borrowers affected by this fiasco and make amends.

Unfortunately the Liberal government is again clobbering the Education system with their upcoming changes to International Student Visas. Yes, there's a problem, but instead of a well thought out plan, they have pulled the emergency brake on the train causing a derailment. This has introduced unprecedented instability for both private and public education institutions who serve both international and local students.

Universities can't plan. I've heard of courses being cut because the government has no process in place for universities to send the newly required acceptance letters to the government.

This means that students who have been accepted can not attend courses that start in the summer 2024 semester. With cut sections, current Canadian students will have trouble getting courses, and may have to switch to part-time which changes their enrollment status and might trigger repayment of their loans or ineligibility for funding. I've seen this before. It wreaks havoc on the student loan borrowers.

Again, the Liberal government has messed up the education environment. Will the new system needed in a rush for the acceptance letters be the new Arrivecan scandal?

I call on the government to implement a slower phased in approach and delay the requirement of the acceptance letters until a process is in place to submit these letters.


  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - disabled & just trying to survive
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login


Forum Lockeddisabled & just trying to survive

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
fwhite View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 18/May/2011
Points: 3
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fwhite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: disabled & just trying to survive
    Posted: 18/May/2011 at 1:14pm
This is one good story. It can surely inspire a lot of people who even without different capability, would not try to take of further.  It is good that even with what was given to you, you still went for it and did not let it be a hindrance but your motivation to succeed.  

Thank you for sharing this story. It truly is inspiring.
Back to Top
Sponsored Links


Back to Top
SocialismNow View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 03/May/2004
Location: Luxembourg
Points: 33
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SocialismNow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13/April/2007 at 4:27pm
Can the student loan KGB chip away at CPP once you start collecting it ?.
 
Because I'm in my 40's now, and the six thousand dollars I was able to pay down from the original principal is nearly negated now with interest/usury. In the last six years, I've been either under-employed, unemployed or had no income for months on end. We've lost over 200, 000 manufacturing jobs since 2002, and now our burgeoning low wage workforce is second only to the U.S. in a comparison of richest nations.
 
The community college where I earned my engineering technology diploma did a nice sales job on me as I remember. They said high tech was the new economy. I was guaranteed a job. They don't talk about "Silicon North" anymore. Not since the corporate accounting scandals and tech bubble burst.
 
I'd like to leave Canada. I hate what this country has become since Mulroney and Chretien lied to us on the campaign trails about FTA and NAFTA.  My father was better off than me by this age, and he grew up in the 1930's and was a grade nine graduate, WWII veteran. I'd leave this country if I knew they would claw back the last income support available to me after a life of low wages. They're already snatching my GST and income tax refunds from me while I'm subsisting below LICOS. Does anyone know if they plan on being so miserable as to put a grab on our CPP at 65 ?.
The federal NDP will offer affordable education. University is free in the social democracies of Europe, and their national debts aren't as large as ours or the U.S.A's.
Back to Top
Tired Senior View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 04/February/2007
Location: Canada
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tired Senior Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14/February/2007 at 3:03pm

Hi Everyone,

 

I negotiated a suitable monthly payment arrangement with HRDC, not NCO.  My loan should be paid off in about three years, when I turn 65, yeah!

 

I have decided to apply for my CPP now instead of 65 years.  It won’t make any difference in payments I was told by HRDC because I haven’t worked in 6 years and don’t plan to do so before I turn 65.  Once I start receiving CPP, the Yukon government has a grant called YSIS (Yukon Seniors Income Supplement) and that will help my budget.  I am already receiving a low- income disability pension from the Yukon government.

 

Also, I am expecting a forgivable loan from Canada Mortgage and Housing this Spring for some necessary repairs on my home, I don’t want this to be held up. 

 

Once you acknowledge you owe them, and that happened to me very quickly on the phone before I realized who I was talking to, you owe them.

 

I certainly do not want lose any entitlements that I am eligible for and as long as I’m paying them something they’ll leave me alone to enjoy my retirement.

 

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you....

Burnt out in the Yukon
Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11/February/2007 at 11:55am
A doctor can deem a person disabled but rarely can they deem a person unemployable. People have to take into consideration that the lawmakers who write laws in this country do so without really understanding what they are writing, or even how to interpret what they are writing. If someone on government hill can find a porthole in legislation that gives them an advantage point, they jump on it. If they cannot find any portholes to squeeze through, then they resort to making rules and laws up as they go. The day the BIA changed overnight with respect to student loans clearly illustrates that they have the ability to make up rules and laws whenever they want. This amendment was passed without anyone having a say.

Johnny
Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

solvestudentdebt.com
Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11/February/2007 at 11:55am
The government has a tendency to make rules and laws up as they go. One can have a loan forgiven if the disability will prevent them from ever repaying. However, the government now simply says that they will remove it from active recovery for periods of time providing that the borrower continues to be disabled (?)

The government takes all cases of short/long term, and permanent disability with a different outlook. A medical professional may deem certain illness a disability, but the government looks at it while asking themselves:

"... Well, we understand that this borrower has Chrones Disease as well as clinical depression, but is this person employable?".

Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

solvestudentdebt.com
Back to Top
administrator View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25/January/2003
Points: 1798
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11/February/2007 at 7:16am
You probably need to be looking at the Student Financial Assistance Act and regulations, not the Canada Student Loan act -which is older.

The government keeps saying that loans to the crown cant be forgiven but the legislation says it can...

Welcome to the crazy world of HRDC. at least they send out the forms now if your in default... that took six months of my lobbying to prove that there was no such regulation in my case.


Mark
Administrator
Mark OMeara
Author of Let Go and Heal: Recovery from Emotional Pain
https://LaughSingWrite.com - http://bit.ly/heal2024
Back to Top
Tired Senior View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 04/February/2007
Location: Canada
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tired Senior Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11/February/2007 at 4:03am

I found this little gem that applies to all of us.  We are all permanently disabled and declared so by our doctors.  We all qualify for “exceptional hardship”.  So, why aren’t our loans forgiven?  We’ve been doing this year after year? I’ll pursue this further. 

Hope this makes your day.

CANADA STUDENT LOAN REGULATIONS

PAYMENT ON PERMANENT DISABILITY

25. [Repealed, SOR/95-331, s. 13]

26. For the purposes of subsection 13(1) of the Act, the prescribed information is

(a) a statement signed by a responsible officer of a lender to which the borrower is indebted under the guaranteed student loan, that certifies the amount of principal outstanding on the loan at the time the statement is made, the rate of interest payable on the loan and the date from which such interest is accruing on the loan;

(b) a statement signed by a duly qualified medical practitioner that the borrower suffers from a permanent disability; and

(c) a statement signed by or on behalf of the borrower setting out the borrower's family income.

27. Where, pursuant to subsection 13(1) of the Act, the Minister is satisfied that a borrower, by reason of permanent disability, is or will be unable to repay a guaranteed student loan without exceptional hardship, the Minister shall notify

(a) the borrower; and

(b) any lender whose rights against the borrower terminate pursuant to that subsection.

Burnt out in the Yukon
Back to Top
administrator View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25/January/2003
Points: 1798
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10/February/2007 at 7:26pm
There is one clause in the Student Loan act... regarding debt reduction.... if you have had exceptional expeneses.... then the minister can make a gratuitous payment... HRDC doesnt publicize this... not sure how to apply... you'd have to demonstrate exceptional expenses... and show that you cant pay...

Administrator
Mark OMeara
Author of Let Go and Heal: Recovery from Emotional Pain
https://LaughSingWrite.com - http://bit.ly/heal2024
Back to Top
Tired Senior View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 04/February/2007
Location: Canada
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tired Senior Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10/February/2007 at 2:17pm
Bullwinkle you helped clear up some questions I had about the accrued interest.  I've been declaring hardship since 1996 but my loan goes back to 1993.  I made efforts to pay it back but life has a way throwing you curves doesn't it?  For years while I cared for my son and husband, my doctors would tell the government that I was capable of working although I was unable to do so because of family circumstance.  This year I'm pushing to have it placed in active collection because my doctor has finally declared me permanently disabled even though I have been disabled for years.  Because I was a caregiver no one wanted to admit that I was disabled even though everyone knew it.  They just considered me a strong woman and a survivor.
 
I feel the same way about that d### interest.  In fourteen years, my debt has doubled even though I paid half of my original loan back.
 
I've been studying the Student Loan Act and the Student Financial Act, and  looking into the 6 year provision amendment. If I find anything, I will certainly pass it on to everyone. 
 
 I feel the same way you do Bullwinkle and will fight to the grave to get rid of this debt.  I do not feel my son should be stuck with a loan to repay that isn't his, especially when it's all interest.  If any action is going to be taken against me, it will be after Feb. 29th, that was my deadline before they threatened me.
 
I am so glad I found you guys and this site.  Even though, I worked for years to help people get out of their legal problems it hasn't been easy to for me to handle my own, especially under pressure.  It activates my disabilites but we are all facing this stress.
 
It seems we are all in the same boat? Keep me posted.
 
Burnt out in the Yukon
Back to Top
bullwinkle View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 01/June/2005
Points: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bullwinkle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/February/2007 at 8:55am
Good luck Casey and Tired Senior, with trying to get your federal loans forgiven. As I'm in a similar situation to both of you (see my posts above) I'll follow your progress on this issue with great interest.

It is my understanding that even if the feds remove your debt from active collection, they keep it on the books (that is, they don't "forgive"it) in the event that one day you will come into some money (lottery, inheritance, etc) that will enable you to repay the loan. I think this is the case even in the event of a bankruptcy, the feds can still keep your federal debt alive even if you declare bankruptcy.

Please keep posting the results of your efforts, as I am most interested in discovering where they lead you, the kinds of responses you get, etc.
Back to Top
Tired Senior View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 04/February/2007
Location: Canada
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tired Senior Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/February/2007 at 4:46am
Casey,
 
I have been working on getting my loan forgiven for over 10 years.  I have spent almost all my life as a caregiver.  First for my autistic son until he was 18 yrs. and then for my husband who suffered from lung cancer for 7 1/2 years.  NCO and I have been fighting for a long time.  They are frustrated with me because I own my home free and clear. No mortgages, loans, or credit cards from banks so they cannot attach this debt to any other debt I may owe. I have been declaring hardship for years, filling in their documents, and going through the routine. What got them this time is that I took out a life insurance policy to cover my burial expenses and settlement of my estate. That just won't do as far as they are concerned.  Also, I have credit with all my utility companies and one store.  I'm not suppose to have credit at all according to them.  I was open and honest with all these people I received credit from about this old debt and it didn't  bother them.  Nor did it bother Canada Mortgage and Housing who have just okayed a forgivable loan for repairs on my home to place this summer.  You are right about them worrying about their commission on my debt because as far as the government is concerned it doesn't matter because they keep helping me out.  I have compliled a history of this loan in detail and plan to go to my MP Larry Bagnell if they continue to pursue this.  Actually, I'm seriously thinking of seeing him anyway to get this loan forgiven. 
 
For years, I operated a paralegal service to low-income clients out of my home and was associated with a lawyer if they required him.  I didn't make any money because most of my cases were pro bono or they would pay me what they could.  I loved what I was doing and didn't care about making huge fees.  Especially, if my clients were successful in winning their cases because of my research.  Big%20smile
 
I would like to offer my assistance to anyone who is floundering in the depths of despair over these vultures. My legal career was based on doing just this kind of work.  Fighting for the little guy who has no voice is a passion with me.
 
Find something to laugh about every day it does wonders to the immune system.Tongue
 
 
Burnt out in the Yukon
Back to Top
Casey View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 28/October/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 143
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Casey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/February/2007 at 9:11pm
Tired Senior,

Thanks for your positive reply! Nice to hear you are feeling a lot better about the whole situation. You have it right and it is so much better once we can stop letting them make us scared and worried about what will happen. I wasted so much time with the worrying and it was very hard on my mental health. I really want to help others to not allow the system to drag them down and cause them the same problems!

I relate very well to you. I'm a bit younger but getting close to retirement age. I'm on a provincial disability pension that's barely enough to survive on. It was still not easy to get the government to accept that I couldn't pay. I stopped letting it worry me but did not stop working on trying to resolve the problem. After over 15 years my loan is finally removed from active collection. This is not what I want but it's a step in the right direction. What I really want is to have it forgiven and written off.. Hopefully I will see this happen sometime in my life time.. 

There is so much information on this site and  http://www.cfwgroup.ca/forum, it is just a matter of reading through the many posts. People like yourself
have a lot to offer that can help other people. Sharing our knowledge will hopefully help others to take the control and power over their situations. Knowledge is power and this is a great place to get the knowledge.


Casey . .

"A student loan is like a bad marriage, a lot easier to get ino then it is to get out!"
Back to Top
Tired Senior View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 04/February/2007
Location: Canada
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tired Senior Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/February/2007 at 8:19am
Hi Casey
Thank you for your reply.  I did send in all documentation including my medical paper from my doctor, tax assessments for the last 3 years, expenses and proof of support from HRDC.  Actually, I did this twice since Christmas.  I reported them to HRDC and Consumer Affairs giving them details about the threats from them.  After I did this, I came to the same conclusion that they aren't going to take me to court because there isn't a judge practising in the Yukon that wouldn't throw them out of their court.  I know a little about this because I am a retired paralegal who specialized in research.  They took on the wrong "old lady".  I may be physically disabled but there's nothing wrong with my mental faculties. Amazingly enough, after I did this I am no longer afraid of them taking me to court.  Especially, after I found out that they violated HRDC regulations for collection agencies.  I am quite ready for them to go for it because they would look very foolish in court if not in the press and you are right about that.  I would make their lives miserable in court because I am a retired member of the Yukon Law Society and well known by my peers.
This is a wonderful site and the service that you do to assist us poor souls hounded by these parasites is great.  Thanks for the support, and really good laugh!
Burnt out in the Yukon
Back to Top
Casey View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 28/October/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 143
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Casey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06/February/2007 at 8:40pm
Hi Tired Senior,


In order to get any relief in this matter you need to document your situation. It looks like NCO is trying to do but obviously they are not handling it well. When you don't send the required medical etc. it confuses the situation and can make them think you are not being honest. You have to provide them all the required documents so they can determine your situation.

The main question, in addition to your health issues is your income from all sources and your expenses.  If this shows surplus income, they may still feel that you should be making payments.. The government doesn't give up easily and NCO what to collect it's commissions.

If your financial statement along with supporting documentation (copies of check stubs, deposit notices, rent receipts etc.) prove that you are are a very poor income situation you qualify for relief under the
Hardship Kit..

Find some in your community
help with this. My local MP's office was very helpful for me. You need someone like the MP's office to intervene. They can make things happen and often much faster that we can sending letters to people who don't seem to read them.

Above all, don't let it worry you, NCO can make lots of threats but really is not going to do anything. What can they really do?  I doubt the government would ever  take legal action against you..  Imaging if they did and you told the press!  "Government Sues Disabled Senior!" They would not ever want to chance such bad public relations..  And if you don't have any money to pay, the old saying, "You can't get blood out of a stone" applies.

1) - Get someone to help with the forms, send in all the paper work required... (Make copies for future use and you may have to send them more than once... saves alot of work)

2) -
You have enough to handle, so don't worry about it!

Keep us posted on how things go for you...

Casey . . 

"A student loan is like a bad marriage,
a lot easier to get then it is to get out!"

Back to Top
Tired Senior View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 04/February/2007
Location: Canada
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tired Senior Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04/February/2007 at 5:10pm
Angry I have been harrassed by NCO, Edmonton for around 10 years now over a Student Loan I took out for $5,525 that has now blossomed to over $9,000.  I was able to make payments for a few years but had to cease because of financially and physically disabilities.  I am a senior on HRDC and Yukon government service programs that are not considered income by Canada Revenue Agency.  My doctor and the Yukon government has declared me to be permanently disabled.  A week before Christmas NCO sent me forms to filled out and sent back to them.  They were incomplete because they did not include medical forms that I required, so I requested them.  I received a call demanding my pay stubs? I don't have pay stubs.  I'm on Old Age Security, Canada Pension Disability benefits, Allowances for Survivor and Yukon Disability Pension and not employed by them.  They requested one month of financial statement and I sent them a copy of my bank statement showing my expenses and pensions. At the time I was completing the paperwork I was having up to 5 seizures a day and neglected to send receipts for rent and fuel, etc.,  Well, She called me and threatened legal action if I didn't redo the paperwork and send it back to them in 30 days, but they did not send me new paperwork.  This time NCO not the government demanded six months of records. Is this legal? Can they make this request from a senior receiving pensions. 
Does the Yukon recognize the six year amendment to the Student Loan Act?  I have Tuberous Sclerosis, Addison's, and Ostearthritis of the spine and hip so I am definately not capable of employment.  My health is suffering a great deal from these people.  HELP!
Burnt out in the Yukon
Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28/February/2006 at 3:20pm

"However, interest continues to accrue on that loan even though they recognize I'm in no position to pay.  The **** continue to earn money from my misfortune." 

The government does not forgive people of debt even in the most tragic of circumstances. All they do is remove it from active recovery, continue the interest penalty, and wait for a time when the government can open it back up again. Debt is never really forgiven.

Johnny

www.cfwgroup.ca

 

 

 

Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

solvestudentdebt.com
Back to Top
bullwinkle View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 01/June/2005
Points: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bullwinkle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28/February/2006 at 12:44pm
This is an update of my situation that I described in my previous posts above.

I got my MP, Libby Davies NDP, involved and made an appeal directly to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, who was Belinda Stronach in the Liberal govt at the time. I put together all the information and documentation required for the Permanent Disability Benefit (PDB), even though I knew I didn't technically qualify as my disability occurred later than six months after my study period ended. I wrote a cover letter appealing for compassion and Libby also wrote a letter to the Minister, all of which I enclosed in one package.

The result was that my direct Canada Student Loan with the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) of about $11,000 was cancelled. However, two other portions of my Canada Student Loans, one a guaranteed loan and the other a risk-shared loan were not eligible for cancellation. The guaranteed loan was not eligible for the PDB because  it was in default status and the risk-shared loan was not eligible for the PDB because my disability occurred outside of the eligibility  period.

The only good news is that they have removed my outstanding guaranteed loan (about $15,000) from active recovery based on financial hardship. However, interest continues to accrue on that loan even though they recognize I'm in no position to pay.  The **** continue to earn money from my misfortune.  As for my risk-shared loan also around $15,000, it was with the Royal Bank who long ago sent it to a third-party collection agency due to default.  I have not heard anything from either the RB or the collection agency in over a year.

So, the dogs are off my back as far as constant harrassment to give them what I am unable to.  However, the Financial Administration Act, which allows for removal of accounts from active recovery based on financial hardship, has no provisions for eliminating debt to the Crown which is why interest continues to accrue.   If by some miracle I ever come into substantial money, I will gladly pay back the government what I borrowed, but they will have a fight on their hands trying to collect any interest that has accrued after I became disabled and unable to earn money.

So after all is said and done, after exhausting all options,  instead of having $45,000 in outstanding student loans I now have $30,000. Whoopdidoo.
And all the harrassing phone calls and letters have stopped, which I didn't answer anyway.  But with $30,000 still hanging over my head, I still look forward to the day I can declare bankruptcy, although even that is no guarantee of a final solution as the government can still decide to keep my debt active inspite of a bankruptcy.

The rich get richer, with the help of the political elite, and the poor get poorer. What time is the revolution?
Back to Top
survey View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 28/February/2006
Points: 3
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote survey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28/February/2006 at 11:41am
I am a person also living with a degenerative muscle disorder. I am a single mother of three small children who only has EI benifits to live on. Student loans has a lean placed on my taxes for the past 3 years, but this year more than ever I need that money so badly. My bills are in detrimental status. I hope someone can help me with a lean removal process and contacs etc.
Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02/June/2005 at 12:24pm

 

 

“I  was under the impression that I wasn't eligible for loan forgiveness based on medical disability because I was deemed to be disabled more than 6 months after my last study date.   Are you saying that the system is not as rigid as I thought, and that there is room for discretion on the part of some decision-maker[s] who has responsibility for my file?”

You would be motioning a different kind of appeal in this regard. The appeal is based on your indefinite or permanent disability. Based on what you have described, you are disabled due to PTS. That particular condition is not to be taken lightly - especially if you are under constant stress and tension as a result of other toxic occurrences that are beyond your control. The emotional strain could only aggravate your condition, which is certainly not conducive to you healing and becoming well.

 

Never give up hope. Never give up – for this thing we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.

 

You wrote:

 

My case may be somewhat unusual in that my disability is rooted in past events.  The breakdown I mentioned above happened when it did because I could no longer handle all the various symptoms I had been suffering for years.  I could have reached that breaking point much sooner, within the time period when my disability would be grounds for loan forgiveness. The only reason I didn't was because I was in denial, thought I could simply bury the past, and never made the connection to my past trauma and my present physical/psychological ailments.  I found out the hard way that you can't simply bury the past.”

 

It is difficult to bury something that you can’t seem to “let go” You want to bury it because it is so troubling but yet it still follows. Letting go will be paramount in your recovery process. You have good heart. It is evident in your writing.

 

You wrote:

 

I suppose all of this would be part of the extenuating circumstances you refer to.  Others here have highly recommended you, so I'll follow your suggestions. I really have nothing else to lose I suppose.  I shouldn't have much problem putting this all together, but it may take me awhile, so do you think it would be wise for me to write Fed. Credit & Consulting and the CSL people to tell them that I intend to apply for loan forgiveness?”

 

The extenuating circumstances are not the past. They are the “now” and “future effects”. You are suffering from a very serious but controllable condition. PTS as I said earlier is not something to take lightly. The problem is what could conceivably trigger further psycho-emotional problems as a result of stress, tension, hopelessness, and worry about a financial crisis that could easily be addressed and solved by the financer.

 

Calling Federal Credit will do you no good. They are only collecting for the Royal Bank. The appeal has to go to the government, and either in unison or separately distributed to the bank for review and consideration. It the Crown were to dismiss you, the bank would be silly to refuse.

Collection agency interactions will obstruct your pathway in this regard. Their interest is to collect money. They cannot collect money by telling you how to have a debt forgiven.

 

Lastly, you will need help motioning this type of proposal. You said it would take you some time to put it all together. Don’t rush it. Focus on healing - and acquired awareness. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I am always here.

 

Johnny

Back to Top
bullwinkle View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 01/June/2005
Points: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bullwinkle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02/June/2005 at 11:22am
Thanks for your feedback Johnny.

I  was under the impression that I wasn't eligible for loan forgiveness based on medical disability because I was deemed to be disabled more than 6 months after my last study date.   Are you saying that the system is not as rigid as I thought, and that there is room for discretion on the part of some decision-maker[s] who has responsibility for my file?

I have little faith in bureaucrats so I had considered it hopeless to try to appeal to their humanity. But what you seem to be saying gives me a glimmer of hope.

My case may be somewhat unusual in that my disability is rooted in past events.  The breakdown I mentioned above happened when it did because I could no longer handle all the various symptoms I had been suffering for years.  I could have reached that breaking point much sooner, within the time period when my disability would be grounds for loan forgiveness. The only reason I didn't was because I was in denial, thought I could simply bury the past, and never made the connection to my past trauma and my present physical/psychological ailments.  I found out the hard way that you can't simply bury the past.

Even when I left my last employer, I didn't realize how bad things would get. If I had, I never would have left because I could have gotten much better disability benefits from the extended medical benefits I had at work.  It was only after being on EI sickness benefits for many months that I was finally properly diagnosed, but by then I was no longer eligible for disability benefits from my last employer. And I was outside the 6-month-after-study period for loan forgiveness due to disability.

I suppose all of this would be part of the extenuating circumstances you refer to.  Others here have highly recommended you, so I'll follow your suggestions. I really have nothing else to lose I suppose.  I shouldn't have much problem putting this all together, but it may take me awhile, so do you think it would be wise for me to write Fed. Credit & Consulting and the CSL people to tell them that I intend to apply for loan forgiveness? 

They do not yet know that I am on disability.  My last communication with both the CSL and RBC people was in the early months of 2004, telling them that I was unemployed and unable to make my loan payments and inquiring about interest relief.  Their response was that I was ineligible for interest relief (which is why I'm surprised to read that momof2 had interest relief for 5 years) and they demanded payment in full of my loans, totalling around $45,000. There's probably a couple thousand $ in accrued interest as well.  Since then I have simply ignored them as I was simply too ill and stressed out to deal with them. Even though I had written several letters (I've kept copies) telling all my creditors that I would no longer deal with these matters on the phone, I continued to get phone calls everyday. For along time I never answered my phone, but they would still leave messages everyday, sometimes angry ones.  Eventually I just got rid of my phone.

Sorry, I'm rambling on here.  Just a couple more question. I suppose I would need to do two packages, one for Financial Services - Social Development Canada and one for Federal Credit & Consulting?  I have 4 outstanding loans, one is a CSL, one is a Direct Financing Student Loan, and the other two are both RBC student loans.

What does it mean when more than one credit agency is involved? My RBC defaulted loans were first being handled by Canadian Bonded Credits Ltd.  Then suddenly, out of the blue, my relatives got a call a few weeks ago from FC&C looking for my phone number. This week I got a typical threatening letter from FC&C.  Do they just pass these accounts around or what?  I get dizzy trying to keep track of everything.

Anyway, I really appreciate your feedback, and yes, I would like you to send me a financial statement template if it's not too much trouble. You can send it to  pbullwinkle@shaw.ca

Thanks for your help.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.07
Copyright ©2001-2024 Web Wiz Ltd.