why would i use you instead of an advocate who charges nothing! u make me pay $100

Here’s are three reasons to choose us:

Why you would use Enabled Financial Solutions Ltd. (EFS) instead of an advocate who charges nothing up front and we ask for a $100.00 plus HST non refundable retainer?             

JOIN A LEGION IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND FIND OUT !!!

1. First of all,  we’re proud to share  that Enabled Financial Solutions are Member Benefits Partners with the Royal Canadian Legion, BC /Yukon Command.

2. We offer Legion Members, Veterans, Axillary Members and their families a 5% reduction of our contingency fee, (30% to 25%) and on a maximum refund, the Member’s total fee is reduced by $900.00.

3. EFS has committed to do one of the following at the end of the process for every Member:

• Give $100.00 back to the Legion Member, or
• Donate $100.00 to the Member’s Legion Poppy Fund ,or
• Donate $100.00 to the BC/Yukon Command Foundation.

We  know that the Royal Canadian Legion  and the BC/Yukon Command Foundation gives more in the way of funds and service to their communities than most other foundations.  Our way of giving back is to encourage our clients who are not yet  Legion members to join a Royal Canadian Legion in their communities.  The cost to become a Legion Member is minimal and the benefits are three fold.

1. 1. Legion Membership will increase;
2. 2. Our clients will receive the benefit of a maximum $900.00 saving by contracting to use our service;
3. 3. EFS will donate $100.00 to their Legion Poppy Fund or the BC/Yukon Command Foundation.

Our success rate is 99.9%, we were awarded the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award and were finalists for the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award in 2011.  We hire and train independent Contractors that plug into and  network within their communities and Regions.

We offer free seminars to educate individuals about the Disability Tax Credit.  We offer free eligibility assessments and tax reviews to determine, in our opinion, if we can qualify a potential client for this tax benefit.  We have successfully qualified clients in over 300 varied chronic medical conditions and list  some of the most common  medical conditions listed here.

We encourage you to expore our website and click on the “Do I Qualify” button to  complete our easy online form, or call us on our toll free line (1-877-381-2610) and   “LET’S GET FI$CAL ABOUT YOUR DISABILITY !!”

There seems to be a fair bit of confusion about the disability tax credit in BC, often from the doctors and accountants that don’t appreciate the value of this tax credit.  We’d like to share our experience with the various conditions that our clients have suffered from, enabling them to take advantage of this misunderstood, but very valuable, tax credit.

We’ve been able to help clients with the following ailments get substantial tax refunds through the current Disability Tax Credit guidelines.  Give us a call so we can help you, too.

Conditions that may qualify you for the Disability Tax Credit

Here is a small sampling of the conditions we’ve encountered, as well as the tax refund earned.  Each case is different, and the amounts specified below are a result of many factors (length of time taxes have been paid, income, tax bracket, length of time with condition, etc.)  Please contact us to find out how we can help you get Fi$cal about Your Disability

_______________________

Enabled Financial Solutions helps seniors and those living with disabilities recoup the taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency.  If you have a prolonged medical condition or a disease or disability preventing you from enjoying your life, call today to discuss how Linda Choronobay can help you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit in Canada.

– Get Fi$cal About Your Disability –

The symptoms of heatstroke are:

• Severe muscle contractions, usually in the legs or abdomen
• Normal or elevated body temperature
• Dizziness and weakness
• Rapid, weak pulse becoming irregular
• Irritable, bizarre or combative behaviour
• Headache

(source: the Canadian Red Cross)

Running air conditioning all summer may be an option for some of the people in BC, but for those concerned about the environment, watching expenses, or prefer not to have the artificial coolant, it isn’t an acceptable option.

Here are some tips on keeping cool this summer.

•  Wear cool and breathable clothing. Cotton and linen in light colours help to feel cool and reflect the heat. It’s best to avoid polyester fabric and dark coloured fabrics that absorb the heat.
• Close the blinds.  Keeping the blinds closed during the hottest point in the day, between 11am-3pm, and in rooms you’re not using, to keep your home cool while reducing your cooling costs.
• Use others. Take advantage of other people’s air conditioning. In the heat of the day, meet a friend for a matinee, drop into the community centre, or visit the local library.
• Slow down. Summer is a time to relax and move slowly. When temperatures reach extreme highs you should reduce or eliminate all strenuous activities.
• Keep it moving. Keep air circulating in your home with a ceiling or table fan to help you feel more comfortable.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat. If you have access to A/C, programming your thermostat will help you get the most out of your air conditioning unit. Cooling your home when you need it most.
• Get checked out. Before the summer heat hits, get your air conditioning unit check over by a professional. Ask them to change the filter and make sure the unit is working at peak efficiency.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty. You should minimize the amount of caffeinated beverages and alcohol that you drink, as they cause dehydration.  Grab a water bottle instead.  If you keep a few in the freezer, they make great ice packs, too.
• Stay connected. Visit elderly friends to make sure they are comfortable. If you are the caregiver or family member, check in often.  Stop in and visit them – don’t just phone and ask if they’re ok.
• Stay alert.Dizziness, weakness, and nausea can all be signs that you are suffering from heat exhaustion. If you are feeling any symptoms you should move to a cooler place and drink fluids. A cool shower or sponge bath also helps cool the blood.* If you suspect you are are suffering from heat stroke you should call 911 immediately.

For more tips check out:
Canadian Red Cross – http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=9055&tid=071
BC Government Seniors helpline – http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/navigation/1-800.html#moh_seniors_line
Island based Silver Threads – http://www.silverthreads.ca
Jaun de Fuca Seniors Centre – http://www.jdfseniors.shawbiz.ca/

_________________________

Enabled Financial Solutions helps seniors and those living with disabilities recoup the taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency.  If you have a prolonged medical condition or a disease or disability preventing you from enjoying your life, call today to discuss how Linda Chronobay can help you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit in Canada.

– Get Fi$cal About Your Disability –

Currently the degree of hearing impairment is assessed by having a listening device present. Julian’s bill would eliminate that standard. It would also revise the language for support of the hearing loss from requiring it being from a person “familiar” with the applicant to “another” person.

The call for the May 2 election earlier this year meant the original bill did not get voted on.

“Canadians with hearing loss should not be unfairly blocked from accessing the tax credit from people with disabilities,” said Julian in a press release.

He received support for his bill from the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, Voice for Hearing Impaired Children, the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, and the Canadian Academy of Audiology.

The original article can be found here.

Okay, what next?

For those with sharp minds, plenty of time, and an adventurous spirit, you can always do your own DTC application.  You should start with the 30 page guide from the CRA entitled, Medical and Disability Related Information (form RC4064).  This piece considers most of the points you need to know to maximize your own disability-related tax benefits.  If you approach the matter systematically, and you consider all the different elements of disability-related claims, it is certainly doable.  It really comes down to your own motivation, time constraints and your mathematical skills.  A novice however should know that the guide covers a lot of ground and isn’t the easiest subject to understand.

If going that route isn’t your cup of tax tea, you may wish to consider having a third party do it for you.

And Linda Chornobay, CEO of Enabled Financial Solutions Ltd. (EFS), would support you.  She certainly doesn’t think her many clients are coming to her because they’re inept or too lazy to complete a simple form.

“I established this organization after I applied for my own disability claim with the Canada Revenue Agency,” Chornobay says.  “I soon discovered that the process is complex and the instructions confusing.  Although my claim was accepted, I’ve seen that even a small mistake will result in a rejected claim.”

Chornobay staunchly believes in being an advocate for people.  “After dealing with CRA for several years, I’ve found that people do need an advocate, for any number of reasons.”

She cites an array of difficulties one may encounter in submitting a claim.  To start, some of the impairment categories blend into each other.  “People’s medical conditions often aren’t straight-forward.  If they have multiple health issues, it may be tough for them to know if they are better to apply as having one ‘marked restriction’, or to apply under another category that deals with adding together several less serious restrictions.”

Aside from such obvious issues as applying under the wrong category, Chornobay lists other challenges that she and her staff typically face.   The most common one relates to dealings with doctors.

“Doctors are busy professionals.  I know – I am a doctor’s daughter!” she exclaims.  “They aren’t paid by the provincial health system to complete the DTC forms, so it may not be a priority for them.  Plus, they just aren’t as familiar with the DTC forms and criteria as they are with other injury programs, like worker’s compensation or insurance.  Despite caring for you as their patient, doctors will, more often than you might expect, make innocent mistakes in doing your DTC form.”

Asked why this is so important, Chornobay stresses, “Mistakes can drastically affect the nature and extent of a person’s DTC claim.  We watch out for, and try to guard against, these situations.”

Challenges with the professionals who have to certify the paperwork are not the only reason why one would be wise to use a third party like EFS.  Dealing with the CRA is another facet of the process that may not sparkle for people.

Then there are the blind spots – aspects of the disability credit of which many people are unaware.

“You can apply on behalf of a relative who is deceased.  Or, if you don’t make much money, you might be able to transfer your DTC to a family-member who earns more.”

And that isn’t all.  “You can also go back 10 years in making your claim”, Chornobay says, adding with pride, “People are often surprised at how big their claims can be.”

Overall, many good reasons exist to use a firm like Enabled Financial Solutions in advancing your DTC claim.  You needn’t take on the adventure yourself by pretending to be Indiana Jones.  The folks at EFS will wear Indie’s hat for you

_________________________

Enabled Financial Solutions helps seniors and those living with disabilities recoup the taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency.  If you have a prolonged medical condition or a disease or disability preventing you from enjoying your life, call today to discuss how Linda Chronobay can help you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit in Canada.

– Get Fi$cal About Your Disability –

Allegations tossed around include; unfounded claims being advanced, doctors being on a company’s “payroll”, and even some doctors who have certified taxpayers’ DTC forms being unlicensed.

Is Enabled Financial Solutions Ltd. (EFS) involved in this sort of activity?

Simply put, no.

According to CEO Linda Chornobay, her firm operates with the highest ethical principles.  “The clients we attract are cut from the same cloth we are”, she says.  “I demand of my associates that they are honourable in character.  In fact, that’s part of our motto.”

When asked about EFS’ relationship with doctors, Ms. Chornobay confirms her company has no doctors on its staff, and no one at her firm has a relative who is a doctor.  Nor does she have a “go to” doctor to whom she regularly refers her clients.

“Our firm has an ‘arm’s length’ relationship with doctors, characterized by professionalism and mutual respect”, she states.   “Our clients are responsible for getting their own family doctor.  We don’t do that for them. ”

The Better Business Bureau echoes this positive image.

A search of the BBB’s database shows that EFS is an “accredited” member.  This means that the firm has paid a fee to be reviewed and monitored, and that it is committed to making a good faith effort to resolve customer complaints.

Not that complaints have occurred.  Enabled Financial gets an “A” rating from the BBB. This rating, which would be even higher if Enabled Financial had been around a bit longer, is based on a number of factors, including type of business, complaints, and government action.   The BBB’s report pegs the number of customer complaints at ‘zero’.

Further underlining this favorable view of EFS, the company was a 2011 finalist for the BBB’s coveted ‘Torch Award’.  The BBB annually awards firms for demonstrating “a superior commitment to exceptional standards that benefit its customers, employees … and surrounding communities.”

BC business associations as well think pretty highly of Chornobay’s company.  The firm recently won the Victoria Chamber of Commerce 2011 Small Business of the Year.  Considering the number of entrants, that is a sizable feat for the pint-sized company.

How does EFS stack up on the internet?  An informal Google search of “Enabled Financial Solutions” together with “complaints” or “scams” turned up nothing.  Clearly a good sign in this age of the viral spread of bad news.

Victoria, B.C. residents Ed Widenmaier and his wife, Hazel, both of whom had DTC claims handled by EFS, were impressed with Chornobay’s personal touch.  “She wasn’t afraid to come out to our house for a one-on-one,” Mr. Widenmaier relates.  “She sat down with us and we felt very comfortable giving her our personal information.”

Addressing the issue of the cost of EFS’ services, Mr. Widenmaier notes that it isn’t cheap, being 30% of the refund, “but it’s worth it”, he says.  “If you succeed in your claim like my wife and I did, you get back money you never would’ve seen.  I’ve referred over a dozen people – friends and family – to Linda and I’m going to keep on doing it.”

Similarly, Andrew Barber of Victoria, B.C., originally a client, now gladly refers others to EFS. “What most impressed me about Linda, who is an honest and rare person, was how frank she was with us.  She didn’t have a slick marketing spiel, called a spade a spade, returned phone calls, and never gave us any BS.”

As for people who put a lot of faith in what others may say about their right to a DTC claim, Mr. Barber recommends you take the advice of accountants or others with a grain of salt.  “If you know in your heart that you have a disability that should qualify,” he says, “go to someone who knows the area.  Go to Linda – she’s a pro who can help you.”

With EFS, what you’ll get is a respected, award-winning company that specializes in getting a DTC for you.  And they’ll do it in a way that lets everyone sleep at night.  The peace of mind is worth it.

_______________________

Enabled Financial Solutions helps seniors and those living with disabilities recoup the taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency.  If you have a prolonged medical condition or a disease or disability preventing you from enjoying your life, call today to discuss how Linda Chronobay can help you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit in Canada.

– Get Fi$cal About Your Disability –

A little context will help.  The Canadian income tax system is what’s called a “self-assessment” process.  This means people figure out what amount of tax they should pay, and submit the right numbers on the proper forms to the tax people.  Aside from some online information and guidance, the government doesn’t go out of its way to help.

You are entirely responsible for your own tax return.  Most significantly, this means you – not the government – must find your own tax breaks and savings.

The CRA does a good job of providing useful information about all aspects of taxation.  The CRA however is under no obligation, legal or otherwise, to contact you with advice on what you should do.  You, or your tax professional, are responsible for knowing the nooks and crannies of the system, taking advantage of them, and squeezing out whatever tax deductions or credits apply to you.

There’s nothing wrong with the CRA’s approach. It’s part of living in a free and modern state.  Personal responsibility is a keystone of being a citizen.

The first step however is to know about a highly beneficial rule, called the ‘disability tax credit’ (DTC).

Basically, the DTC applies where you are challenged by one of the basic human functions (seeing, thinking, walking, and so on).  If you qualify, the DTC can lessen your taxes by more than $1,000 for each year the disability is serious enough.  And because the rules let you claim for up to 10 years in the past, a sizable amount of money is at stake.

Enabled Financial Solutions Ltd. (EFS) is well-positioned to help.  Founded in 2003 by Linda Chornobay, EFS sees itself as a growing and caring business, with offices across British Columbia.   Its website claims that it has a 99.9% success rate, and that recent awards are typically in the $10,000 to $20,000 range, sometimes more.

So, listen to the parent in your head and take action to help your own finances.  The first step is to call Enabled Financial Solutions Ltd. to see if you can qualify for the DTC.

Don’t worry though.  They’ll be more than happy to give you a free eligibility assessment over the phone, and won’t yell at you to make your bed.

_______________________

Enabled Financial Solutions helps seniors and those living with disabilities recoup the taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency.  If you have a prolonged medical condition or a disease or disability preventing you from enjoying your life, call today to discuss how Linda Chronobay can help you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit in Canada.

– Get Fi$cal About Your Disability –

As we get older and our lifestyle changes, it can become difficult to find the motivation and time to eat healthy. Eating well is an important part of maintaining your healthy lifestyle, and it is something many people overlook. If you are a senior, it is important to put in the effort to eat healthy, even though you might not see immediate results.

How many calories do people over age 50 need each day?

Source: National Institute of Aging

If you are older and live alone, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to cook your own meals. It can seem easier to order take-out, choosing the easy route to feed yourself. The problem is, when you order out, not only does it cost more but quite often you are not getting the healthy benefits that you would get from cooking yourself a hearty meal.

Here are a few ways to get in the habit of eating healthy while having fun:

• Batch cooking – instead of preparing one meal at a time, make a big batch of something you love and then freeze it in individual portions.  Homemade TV dinners, with your favourite foods.
• Cook with a friend – alternate cooking dates with your friends.  Prepare a meal with them and next time have them cook you dinner.  Many hands make light work.  (be a good friend, and make sure you help with the clean-up)
• Take a cooking class – If you love a certain type of food, take a class and learn how to cook it properly.  This is also a great way to meet new people.
• Trade Services – If you hate cooking, and love gardening – or some other task –  find someone in your community that loves cooking and hates gardening.  Trade your time in the garden for their time in the kitchen.  Win/Win is a great outcome.

In addition to regular exercise, eating nutritiously is one of the best things seniors can do to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Consult a physician regarding the steps you should take to improve your diet to ensure you live a long and healthy life.

Here are some great resources to find healthy and tasty meal ideas:

• Peacecooking
• Korena in the Kitchen
• FromGrannysKitchen.com
• Forks.ca (with videos!)
• I Like to Cook

_______________________

Enabled Financial Solutions helps seniors and those living with disabilities recoup the taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency.  If you have a prolonged medical condition or a disease or disability preventing you from enjoying your life, call today to discuss how Linda Chronobay can help you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit in Canada.

– Get Fi$cal About Your Disability –

Thousands of people in Canada are not getting all the tax credits they deserve. Enabled

Financial Solutions Ltd. is in the business of making sure those people get everything they merit.

Enabled Financial Solutions is a company who hires and trains disability tax credit specialists.

CEO and founder Linda Chornobay explains, “We make sure that people with disabilities get all the benefits the law entitles them to. We work mostly in the grey area of the disability tax credit.”

The company has done so well in providing a much-needed service to people that it is up for two prestigious awards this spring. Enabled Financial Solutions is a finalist in the

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award for 2011 and is also a finalist in the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for 2011 in the “Business Professional” category.

Speaking of the nominations, Chornobay says, “It’s a very humbling experience. I’ve never been nominated for anything and it’s such an honour.”

Chornobay herself has a disability – and it was that disability that was the seed from which the company grew. About seven years ago, Chornobay, whose background is in administration, medical and legal, did her own disability tax credit.   “And I found out how difficult it was,” she says. “And I realized there must be hundreds of people who don’t know how to navigate through this difficult document.”

She was inspired with the idea that she might be able to help others, and slowly began to develop a service. In 2007 she founded Enabled Financial and incorporated a year later. Immediately she began offering free seminars and free assessments. She says,

“The thing that sets us apart from other companies that do this is that we plug ourselves into each community that we live in. That means we network with support groups for people with disabilities and we constantly offer free seminars and free eligibility assessments to determine if we can qualify someone for the federal disability tax credit.”

She notes that the tax credit is retroactive for 10 years. It used to be 17 years but the

Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) changed that in 2005. In fact, Chornobay points out that changes are a constant when it comes to having our client’s disability tax credits approved and part of her company’s job is staying on top of those changes. Enabled Financial Solutions works closely with its clients to get them what they are entitled to.

“People with disabilities often just don’t have the energy to fight,” Chornobay says. “And they don’t know how to.”

Enabled Financial Solutions also works closely with the client’s doctors and develops excellent relationships with them. “We do everything for our clients,” Chornobay says, noting that the process can take 6 – 7 months. “We review their medical history thoroughly. Sometimes it’s like pulling teeth but we do get the information that we need. We’re advocates between the clients, their doctors and the Canada Revenue Agency.”

The disability tax credit is based on what the CRA calls a “marked restriction.” Enabled Financial Solutions realizes that those two words don’t mean a great deal to most people. So the company printed rack cards that list the 60 most common diagnoses, although the company has been successful in obtaining a tax credit in about 300 diagnoses, including HIV and Hep C, which Enabled Financial was the first to obtain a tax credit for. Some of the 60 listed diagnoses include arthritis, lung disorders, hip and knee replacements and head injuries. Chornobay stresses that Enabled Financial does not work in the black and white areas such as spinal cord injuries. “We work almost exclusively in the grey areas. We claw back taxes. As long as a person has paid taxes we can claw back – it’s their money. It’s not the government’s money – it’s the taxpayer’s money.”

The company’s clients are overwhelmingly pleased with the service it provides. “I feel wonderful that I can help people,” Chornobay says. “It gives me great pleasure to help them. I’m so happy when I can give people a refund – they need the money.”

One year ago, Enabled Financial Solutions was a company of one person. Today it employs eight and is poised for explosive growth. “I plan on going national,” Chornobay says. “I plan on having people in every major location in BC by the end of 2011.”

She has already put the groundwork in place to make that vision a reality with a thorough training program for the independent contractors who will be part of Enabled Financial Solutions. “Everybody in the company has fun,” she says. “They get along and they love what they do. Our success rate is very high”

Enabled Financial Services Ltd. is at 550 – 2950 Douglas Street in Victoria.

www.enabledfinancial.ca

Alzheimer’s Awareness

Many middle aged people are increasingly at risk of Alzheimer’s, but they do not know the early signs of the disease. This is a sobering thought, as not only are they at risk themselves, but their parents are also at an age where they are susceptible to the disease.  The risk of having Alzheimer’s increases substantially as we age.  One in 20 Canadians over 65 have Alzheimer’s, but this explodes to one in 4 for those over the age of 85. This is a great site to learn more about the 10 warning signs for Alzheimer’s.

In addition to being unaware of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, many people do not know what causes it. Obesity, depression, heart disease, and diabetes have been proven to increase the risk that you will develop this disease.  Being aware of the causative agents is the first step to mitigating the effect that the disease has on ourselves or the life of those around us. The Alzheimer Society of Canada has some excellent information about how to live with this disease.

Understanding Strokes

Not only are seniors more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease as they grow older, they are also at risk of a stroke. It is important that our elders and everyone around them know the keys signs of a stroke and what to do when they come across them. Understanding what is happening could be the difference between life and death in some cases, and permanent disability in others. If a stroke is treated within a couple of hours, chances of survival are much higher.

Most medical professionals will tell you that there are five key signs of a stroke.

1. Weakness and sudden numbness in the face or limbs
2. Trouble speaking and sudden confusion, even if it is just temporary
3. Vision Trouble – Sudden trouble seeing things
4. Unusual or severe headache that comes on suddenly
5. Dizziness – a sudden loss of balance can indicate a stroke, especially when coupled with any of the above symptoms

Making yourself aware of these five signs will drastically improve your ability to warn someone you are having a stroke as well as notice it if someone else is.  For more information on how to recognize these symptoms or learn more about Heart and Stroke concerns, check out the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada’s website.

Being aware of the signs of Alzheimer’s and strokes is an integral part of treating not only yourself, but your friends and family if they suffer from either of these conditions. In many cases, timing is crucial and knowing the early signs can mean the difference between. Don’t let your loved ones suffer; make sure you are educated!

_______________________

Enabled Financial Solutions helps seniors and those living with disabilities recoup the taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency.  If you have a prolonged medical condition or a disease or disability preventing you from enjoying your life, call today to discuss how Linda Chronobay can help you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit in Canada.

– Get Fi$cal About Your Disability –