How to Apply for Special Diet Money Without Attending the PCAP Clinic

WHAT IS THE SPECIAL DIET?

The special diet is $$ from the government for people on welfare or disability - you can get this money if a qualified health care provider says you need it. New regulations brought in by the Ontario Liberal government in November 2006 made the special diet very hard to get. In the last year thousands and thousands of people who were on the special diet lost all or most of their money under the new rules. The policy was changed after the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty and allied groups started telling people how to get the special diet and signing people up. Thousands and thousands of people then received the special diet and were finally able to survive. The government brought these changes in to stop us from getting the money we deserve for ourselves and our children. There are still ways to get money through the special diet. To find out how read on. Every time we get special diet money we are taking from the government some of what they owe the 760,000 people on assistance in Ontario. Every time we get the special diet money we have to be ready to fight for that money.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL DIET MONEY WITHOUT ATTENDING A CLINIC:

Has your special diet allowance been cut? Have you seen the new forms and don't think you qualify for any extra money? Can't find a health professional that understands the impact of poverty on people's health and is willing to take the time to fill out the forms correctly? Didn’t register in time to make it to the Peterborough clinic? Don't despair. YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR MORE MONEY THAN YOU THINK. It's a matter of finding a health provider that understands how to interpret the new forms so you get the money you deserve.

Ask your worker for a special diet application form for you and each adult and child in your family. Your worker must give you these forms if you ask. Read through the conditions listed below and think about whether any of them apply to you. Contact PCAP to get a tip-sheet for your health care provider to help them complete your form. The tip-sheet was compiled by Health Providers Against Poverty and it provides specific directions about how to successfully complete the special diet forms. Bring the tip-sheet and your application form for health care providers to a good doctor/nurse practioner/dietician. Ask the doctor to carefully go through the form with you. Explain to the doctor how much you and your family receive on social assistance. Your doctor will need to check each box that applies to you and your family. Bring the completed forms to your worker. Make and keep a copy of your special diet forms and the date you handed them in. You should get your special diet money by the end of the month or within several weeks. IF YOU ARE DENIED CALL PCAP at 749-9694.

These are very COMMON CONDITIONS you can get special diet $ for:
- Constipation: $10 lots of people have this problem.
- Allergies (egg, wheat, soya) Think hard about any problems any of you may have after eating any of these things. Lots of people have allergies and don’t know it.
- Lactose intolerant: between $35 and $97. Very common problem among both children and adults there is no test for lactose intolerance
- High Cholesterol: $32 common among adults
- Chewing, teeth problems. $25 with a one time $75 to get a blender. If you have teeth or jaw problems that effect your chewing, this is for you. This includes children with baby teeth falling out.
- Blood pressure: $32 common among adults
- Anemia: $32 common in women and children
-Diabetes: $42. Lots of people develop this and have symptoms for a while before they get diagnosed.

The following HEALTH PROFESSIONALS can complete the Special Diet Allowance application form for you:
-Physician who is registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
-Registered Nurse in the Extended Class - RN(EC) who is registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario
-Registered Dietician who is registered with the College of Dieticians of Ontario
-Registered Midwife who is registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario or Traditional Aboriginal Midwife recognized and accredited by his or her Aboriginal community (Midwifes may only confirm that a special diet is required for the following medical conditions: Inadequate lactation to sustain breast feeding diet or breast-feeding is contraindicated, and for the Pregnancy Nutritional Allowance)

Advocacy and Support

PCAP is not a charity or a political party. We don’t work for profit and we have no paid staff. PCAP is a direct action anti-poverty group made up of poor people and their allies. We believe in the power of people to organize themselves in struggle. PCAP mounts campaigns against regressive government policies that affect poor, homeless and working communities. We also provide free advocacy for individuals and families.

People call PCAP when they are under attack, whether it is by their landlord, their boss or the welfare office. We combine normal channels of advocacy with direct action to help individuals and families who are being wronged. We are able to help people claim what is rightfully theirs and get the benefits they are entitled to. People call us because they know that our tactics get results – we fight to win!

We can help with problems related to:

Ø Housing / Eviction / Homelessness
Ø Hydro and Heat Arrears and Cut-offs
Ø Ontario Works (OW)
Ø Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Ø Social Services and Agencies (food banks, shelters, etc.)
Ø Police Brutality, Harassment and Misconduct
Ø Panhandling rights, Safe Streets Act, Municipal tickets
Ø CAS
Ø Other Cases of Poor-bashing

PCAP opposes all systems of violence and oppression that are connected to poverty and works in solidarity with other resistance movements fighting for justice and dignity.

Contact our office if you need advocacy or support. The PCAP office is open Monday to Friday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., and is located at Unit #17 - 393 Water St. We regret that our office is up a flight of stairs. You can also reach us by phone at (705)749-9694 or by email at pcap@riseup.net

If there are important issues affecting you or your community, PCAP can help organize support and take action.

The office has many resources on housing issues, legal rights, welfare and disability.

October General Meeting

***
Monthly General Meeting
Wednesday October 10th, 7pm
At the PCAP office (#17 - 393 Water St)
ALL ARE WELCOME
***

Our General Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm. We meet at our office at #17 - 393 Water Street.

We can provide childcare and help with transportation if you give us a call ahead of time.

Unfortunately, our office space is not accessible at this time (up a flight of stairs).

General Meetings are a great way to learn more about PCAP and how to get involved. It is your chance to hear about recent and upcoming events and to provide organizers with input and direction.

Anti-Poverty Day of Action Video!

In the run-up to the September 26th Day of Action against poverty, and the October 10th provincial election, Toronto Anti-Poverty (TAP) has just released a video outlining its demands.



If you want to go with PCAP to Queen's Park on September 26th, see below or contact us: pcap@riseup.net or 749-9694

Donate Online to PCAP Today!

Support PCAP and Anti-Poverty Organizing in Peterberough: Donate Online Today - It's Easy!

1) Go To: http://paypal.com

2) Click 'Send Money'

3) Fill Out the Form and Choose CAD for the Currency Option

4) Click 'Continue' and Proceed as Instructed by PAYPAL

5) PAYPAL will automatically send you a receipt

September General Meeting

***
Monthly General Meeting
Wednesday September 12th, 7pm
At the PCAP office (#17 - 393 Water St)
ALL ARE WELCOME
***
Our General Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm. We meet at our office at #17 - 393 Water Street.
We can provide childcare and help with transportation if you give us a call ahead of time.
Unfortunately, our office space is not accessible at this time (up a flight of stairs).

Anti-Poverty Day of Action

Before the Provincial Election … Rally at Queen’s Park

Wednesday September 26
8:30 a.m. at City Hall,
500 George St. N.

Take the FREE BUS to Toronto and put poverty on the provincial election agenda!

Contact PCAP for more info or to reserve a seat:
#17 – 393 Water St.
749-9694
pcap@riseup.net

On Wednesday, September 26, a broad coalition of community organizations, trade unions, health providers, students and low income people will be challenging Queen's Park to increase social assistance rates, raise the minimum wage and build affordable/social housing.

· $10 minimum wage now

· A 40% increase in social assistance rates

· New affordable housing to be built in Ontario

· Access without fear to government services for non-status people. Don't Ask/Don't Tell.

Join the fight for a decent income. The Ontario Liberal Government, which was elected on a platform of change, has done little to reverse the Tories' anti-poor agenda. Before the provincial election, rally and demonstrate to demand accountability from the Provincial Government and those who might follow them.