To hear the audio introduction to A Homeless Vet’s Journey – Week 4, click the play button below:
Monica, from Catherine McKenna’s office, invited Kurk and I to her office to talk about how they might help. Upon hearing Kurk’s story, Monica immediately confirmed that Kurk should be receiving his money from CPP. She promised to make a call.
Given that his bank account had been frozen, Kurk and I had agreed that he needed to provide a new address that would guarantee the safe delivery of his money from CPP. We did this and Monica said the money should come without any problem, probably within a week. Kurk and I completed the change of address forms and Monica faxed it to Service Canada.
We quickly discovered that Kurk’s complete lack of id was still a major problem.
In order to receive his Old Age Pension and his superannuation, Kurk would have to provide proof of citizenship. Two applications would have to be completed: first a ‘Verification of Status’ and second, a confirmation of Canadian Citizenship. Kurk had no identification, not even a library card. Nothing.
He was and is a Canadian citizen, and has served his country in the military, but there was no proof. Proof of identity is needed in order to access his two other sources of income (Old Age Pension and Superannuation).
When he gets his proof of identity, Kurk is eligible for eleven months of back pay from both Old Age Pension and Superannuation! He will be able to sustain his own apartment when he achieves this goal!
We talked about the possibilities, and since Kurk had immigrated to Canada when he was ten, we thought we could contact the <Europian> Embassy here in Ottawa, and find out how to obtain a copy of his birth certificate.
Kurk gave me written permission to act in his behalf.
Ken MacLaren, Executive Director
Comment: Kurks’ journey is complicated by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (from his time in the military), and this is a challenge for him, along with the challenges of trying to navigate the ‘system’. He is 70 years old, a Veteran, and in need – and this is just the beginning of the journey! Would you consider giving a gift to help us continue to reach out to those in need this Christmas? Thanks for your support!
(Kurk’s Journey is a 10-Part Series. Stay tuned for Part 4)