I've often been told I take everything too personally and that is certainly one of my many faults. One of my other faults is being stubborn and that brought results this month. I guess I need to apply that persistence to my writing. But by now you probably wonder what I'm talking about. I'm referring to finally receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), which is added to the Old Age Security payment for Canadian pensioners who are eligible. Ah yes, "eligible" as defined by our dear government and receivable - when they get around to it. Notice that part. I became eligible based on my 2008 taxable income which was minuscule, but I didn't receive any payment until this month (August). Why? Because the government does not look at the income tax reported by pensioners until June and they only consider those tax forms once a year (in June).
While I'm grateful to have the added income, I can't help but wonder why it took so long. After all, Revenue Canada would swiftly track me down if I owed any money. So the government's slow response irks me, but unless I want to start a protest movement there's nothing I can do about it except grumble, and tell you this. Don't let any senior you know (parent, friend, person-in-the-street) take money from their Registered Retirement Savings Account in order to survive until they are eligible for the GIS. 'Tis better to borrow than to use one's savings. You have been warned.
4 comments:
Taking things personally? Being stubborn? You, a Cancer? I don't believe it. I also don't believe what a nightmare dealing with these people has been1 Oy vey! Here's to better times ahead...
I think everyone takes things personally. For example I miscalculated my Council Tax bill and owed them 9p. Yep a whole 9p, I was issued with a letter telling me that they were taking me to court to get the money.
Had they told me before issuing the threat I wouldn't have had a problem, as it was I then pointed out that last year I over paid by £1.50 and they didn't give it back so perhaps this time they could cut me some slack and let me go into the office to pay it.
Eventually they relented and dropped the case as I'd gone straight up and handed over 10p to make sure that I'd paid it. But I thought it was ridiculous. Perhaps I should issue a court document demanding my penny back.
The point is, when its you on the receiving end of some stupid government official who won't cut any slack you get madder than hell and perhaps say things you shouldn't. I'm guity of it and I think everyone else is, the way I've got round it now is to calm down before ringing.
Canada is not alone in its bureaucratic stupidity. When my youngest brother was ill (dying), I applied on his behalf for what we call SSI here in the U.S. It's a form of disability payment for those who are permanently disabled.
The process took months, but he finally received all of his back payments . . . six months after his death. It did nothing at all to ease his mind during that last desperate year.
Idiots, the lot of them.
DBR
Ah! Interesting to see the grass isn't any greener on the other side of the border when it comes to the government and benefits or owed money.
Sigh.
I hear you screaming. I do. All the way down in Georgia.
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