Oh man - I'm in a crisis

I've been unemployed over two years now due to a combo of needing treatment for addiction, and a lousy job market. I've been supporting myself off my savings. My last ditch resort was to apply to the Gov't of Ontario to let me access my Locked in Retirement Account (LIRA) under the Financial Hardship Provision. I got approval right away, and got my first deposit from it in June.

In the process of declaring bankruptcy, I'm 99% certain that my advisor told me I could leave the LIRA with TD Bank, because it's exempt from siezure under bankruptcy law, so I left it there, and declared Bankruptcy. TD Bank is one of my creditors.

My July LIRA deposit was supposed to go into my new RBC account today, but when I looked at my account this morning the money wasn't there, so I called my financial planner at TD to see what happenned with the transfer. He called me back and said that because I'd declared bankruptcy all my funds were frozen.

The only money I have is about $40 bucks on my and $825 from a cheque that I got for teaching at U of T. But RBC has put a hold on the cheque until it clears so I can't access the money until next Mon. This means I can't pay my rent tomorrow.

Fortunately I'm living in a subsidized living place run by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, so I was able to talk to them today and they agreed to let me pay my rent next week, so immediate crisis solved. Just not sure what I'm supposed to do for the rest of the month.

I've put in a call to my bankruptcy advisor to see what I can do about the LIRA situation. I'm hopeful I can sort it out but I suspect it will involve time and a lot of red tape.

I'm trying very hard to not freak out, until I get a call from the bankruptcy person and get more information.

But I'm really scared and worried.

splitimage

(((SplitImage))),
Can you talk to DocJohn about running a fund raiser here at PC to help you out? I noticed that was done for Sabby and DPS. You have to have funds to eat etc.

(((Hugs)))
Open Eyes

Is there anyone in your family who can be helpful?

Thanks open eyes and Notz,

Open Eyes - the community fundraisers are only open to people in the US and I'm in Canada. But fortunately I don't have to worry about starving. Food is included with my rent in the residence I'm living in.

Notz - If I run out of all other options I'll try my brother again. But he just agreed to lend me 6500 for fall tuition and books, because my financial aid is being delayed due to the bankruptcy. I've also borrowed money from 3 of my friends to get through the moving expenses, so I kind of feel like I've tapped out those resources.

I'm putting my car up for sale tomorrow as I no longer need it because I'm not having to go back and forth between my old apartment and St. Clare's anymore, but who knows how quickly it'll sell or how much I'll be able to get for it.

Worst case scenario - I sell my pedal harp. I've got a couple of people who are interested in buying it. It would be a huge emotional blow, but I'll do it if I need to. I'm telling myself I can always buy another pedal harp, once I'm back on my feet, and in the meantime I still have my celtic harp that I can play.

Really trying not to go to worst case scenario until I hear back from my bankruptcy advisor. Hopefully she'll call me tomorrow.

splitimage

Sit tight and stay occupied. A meeting?

Thanks Open Eyes & Notz,

Well I'm feeling better now that I've had a good night's sleep - I was so emotionally exhausted yesterday that the news that my funds were frozen was like the proverbial straw.

I talked to management at St. Clare's and they're willing to wait, until new Mon. when my cheque clears.

I should get another cheque for $200 for renting my harp out next week.

I talked to my bankruptcy advisor today who told me I'd done nothing wrong, but that it would likely be resolve it just might take awhile. At any rate she's going to call TD for me today. She said it might be as simple as needing a release from them.

Hopefully my car will sell quickly which will buy me some space. I'm just going to have to be super careful with my money for the next little while.

Still feeling massively stressed, but at least I'm not panicing anymore,

splitimage

Interesting blog, might shed some light?

http://www.canadian-money-advisor.ca...view/3614.html