Thought I’d offer up some links and maybe a bit of advice regarding ‘permanent’ disability and the Canadian Student Loan forgiveness program.  If you have a disability that will last 2 years or more, and you have a student loan here in Canada, you can apply to have the loan forgiven or reduced through the Permanent Disability Benefit.   That’s the good news. 

Unfortunately, it’s not an easy thing.  Even getting a hold of the necessary forms is a challenge.  I don’t think anyone at the Canadian Student Loan Call Centre would ever mention the program.  I have no idea how someone could do it if they are ill and alone.  The paperwork is long, and the requirements depend (among other things) on the date of diagnosis and the years of your loans.  

Below are links to the Government of Canada info page for the benefit as well as the contact info that you’ll need to request the Permanent Disability Benefit forms.  Read carefully - the details are important.

Canada Student Loan Permanent Disability Benefit information

Canada Student Loan contact information

Depending on where you went to school, you may need to apply seperately for your provincial loans.  Ask about this when you contact the National Student Loan Centre.  As well, there are other programs for student loan debt reduction that you may qualify for.  We had some success with these too.  I noticed that new regulations have come into effect this year regarding these other programs, so I don’t have much to offer with those, except to say that you cannot be accepted unless you apply.

We had some of Bernard’s Canada student loan forgiven recently, which has helped us immensely.  I know that 60% of applications to the Student Loan Forgiveness Program are refused, and I was expecting little help from them.  Due to the timing of the injury, only certain years were forgiven (this is due to the ever changing student loan regulations - the details are on the info link).  As far as I can tell, the new programs introduced this autumn haven’t eliminated the Permanent Disability Benefit.

So, the tips.

1.  Have your doctor fill out the forms very carefully.  I know that they are very busy and important, but if they are too casual with the details, it’ll be refused.  Again, the timing of the diagnosis is important, as well as the amount of time the doctor thinks you’ll be hurt or ill.   

2.  Write your own letters to supplement the forms.  They need to know how you’ve tried to repay, as well as all the details about how this disability/illness has affected and changed your life.  People who have constant stress and chronic pain often forget how much the disability has changed how they live.  This is not the time to downplay the severity when your asked ‘How are you?’  I know most times people don’t want to hear about it, but this is the moment to be clear and honest and detailed.

3.  Ask for help.  There are Provincial advocacy groups for people with disabilities.  They may not immediately know how to approach this problem in particular, but in my experience with the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities they’ll find someone who can help you.  I know that the BC group has an advocacy program.  If you can’t find a group in your area, then give them a call - I’m sure they’d be happy to help you find a local or provincial group.  As well, CanadaStudentDebt.ca is a place to turn to for help if your having trouble with the application process.

Who knows, perhaps Bernard’s loan would’ve been reduced even if we hadn’t been very thorough and careful (and lucky).  But I doubt it.