Hi I have been working part time and even when I work and get assistance I still can’t survive
I have been reporting my income but not all of it I know it’s wrong but when they take half my money I cant survive
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.
We understand that this is a sensitive matter, and want to help you find the right support. Canada Revenue Agency states you may have to pay a penalty if you make an omission on previous reports. Still, the CRA may grant you penalty relief if you voluntarily disclose amounts that you failed to report or credits that you overstated (or both) before the CRA contacts you or anyone who is related to you. You can do this through the Voluntary Disclosure Program.
You may also find this excerpt on the page Cancel or waive penalties and interest at the CRA to be helpful:
When events beyond your control prevent you from meeting your tax obligations, the CRA may grant relief of penalties and interest.
Try our new self-evaluation and learning tool (SELT), to determine if you should apply for relief from penalties and interest.
It may be helpful for you to seek the advice of a tax professional, Woodgreen Community Services offers a tax clinic that may be helpful, take a look at the eligibility requirements or give them a phone call if you’re unsure about your eligibility.
You may also be interested in financial assistance at this time. Settlement.Org has a Financial Assistance section, where you can find information on various government programs and financial supports you may be eligible for. 211 Ontario also has a comprehensive list of financial assistance programs available in Ontario.
Speaking with a financial advisor may also be a helpful next step as you plan towards your future, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada offers a guide on choosing a financial advisor that provides information on where to find a financial advisor, questions to ask them, and who qualifies for the role.
An employment counsellor at a settlement agency can also help you with the job search and with finding financial assistance options. If you dial 211 on a phone, you could speak to an Information and Referral Specialist who will refer you to some supports and resources in your area.
211 Ontario is a free, confidential service. Their phone service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You may also want to access their live chat if you prefer to communicate online. 211’s live chat service is available Monday to Friday from 7am-9pm ET.
We hope this information is helpful. Please follow up with us if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Your Settlement.Org Team
Thank you for response,my issue is not with CRA it is with Ontario works
Hi there,
Thank you for following up with us! It may be best to contact a Community Legal Clinic for some assistance in this situation. Steps to Justice has a comprehensive list of free to low cost legal services on the topic of Ontario Works.
You may find helpful information in the Ontario Works Policy Directives on Recovery of Overpayments. Here is an excerpt:
If an amount has been provided to the recipient that exceeds the amount they were eligible to receive, the excess is an overpayment. In addition, if a recipient, spouse or dependent fails to honour an Assignment or Agreement to Reimburse, the amount is an overpayment.
All overpayments are subject to recovery. Only under exceptional circumstances is an overpayment considered uncollectible.
Ontario Works may work with you to develop a payment plan, so that you aren’t paying the total of your overpayment all at once. To do this, you will need to speak with your case worker at Ontario Works to develop this payment plan and talk through your financial situation. It may be helpful to speak with a community legal clinic first for advice on how to proceed.
We hope this information is helpful, please follow up with us if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Your Settlement.Org Team
Thank you for answer, your link Community Legal Clinic is not valid, Ontario Works is my enemy they will be of no help to me
Thank you for letting us know, we updated the link and hope that connecting with a community legal clinic in your area can get you the right support for navigating this process. Here is an excerpt from the StepstoJustice Resource List:
Legal Aid Ontario funds legal clinics across Ontario. There are two types of legal clinics: community legal clinics and specialty legal clinics.
Community legal clinics provide free legal services to people with low incomes who live in their area. Search for the clinic in your area using your postal code. Most help with:
income assistance
tenant rights
employment problems
Some clinics can help with immigration and refugee problems or debt and consumer problems.
Some specialty legal clinics provide free legal services to specific groups of people with low incomes:
Some specialty legal clinics provide free legal services in only certain areas of law:
Sincerely,
Your Settlement.Org Team
Thank you for all your great work !!
Thank you for reaching out to us! Please follow up with us if you have any further questions in the future. We’re wishing you all the best!
Sincerely,
Your Settlement.Org Team