Dryden – Kenora-Rainy River MPP, Howard Hampton is advising people to be wary of companies claiming to provide inside access to government tax credits and other benefits for the disabled.
“People using these so-called services are getting ripped off,” said Hampton. “Those living with disabilities should not be paying money to these outfits in order to access government programs, tax credits, and other benefits that are available without charge or commission.”
Hampton says it is wrong that disabled people are being asked to pay $25 or more, by some of these companies just to fill out applications for the Disability Tax Credit when the forms could easily be completed by the people themselves. And when someone does receive the tax credit or other benefit, they are often being hit with a service charge approximating 30% on the government funding or tax credit they have received.
“Money and tax credits that are for disabled people should go to disabled people, not these profiteering companies,” stated Hampton.
The most common claim made by these companies is that they have expert or “insider knowledge” on how to access the Disability Tax Credit.
Financial assistance from the federal government such as the Disability Tax Credit and the Registered Disability Savings Plan can be found at: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/disability/ and the Ontario Disability Support Program at: http://www.accesson.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/
Hampton urges people who want to avoid “the profiteers” to contact his constituency office or get in touch with the Community Legal Clinic. The information on how to apply for The Disability Tax Credit is available to the public at no charge.