PGWP Series: OHIP Renewal

How to renew OHIP coverage once your status has been restored after PGWP approval? 

I gotchu!

The process was mostly the same as our initial one, which can be found on this link. We also had to wait for the new permits to be mailed out to us before going for renewal.

The only thing was we had to go back because our employment letters weren't up to par. To make sure you won't make the same mistake, here's the additional requirements given by Service Ontario for those renewing OHIP under OWP or Open Work Permit and PGWP or Post Graduate Work Permit:

The employment letter must be:

• Printed on the employer's company letterhead
• Must state that employer is working full-time
• Must include employee's current title or occupation
• Must state that the employee is working for an employer located in Ontario
• Must state position start date of full-time employment
• Must state that the employer will employ the employee for a minimum of six (6) months and/ or can state that the employee is permanent
• Must include employer's contact information
• Must have original or e-signature and dated by employer
• Original, and not a photocopy, scan or email. 
• Not an offer or acceptance letter.

Since I wasn't able to change my employment letter, I submitted three latest paystubs as proof of my Ontario residency. This was accepted since I applied as Mr. A's dependent.

Initially, we went to Mississauga's Westdale Mall first but we forgot Mr. A's updated employment letter so we had to go back and get it. To not make the day a complete waste, we decided to go to a nearer location in Milton Mall (and less waiting time) and finished everything in less than 15 minutes.

Also, if you're still not PRs by the time your OHIP renewal comes around, don't be using the forms that Service Ontario sends by mail. You will be given new forms specifically for temporary residents once you get to Service Ontario. The guy at the Westdale reception was pretty uptight about this and got pretty snippy with me when I asked why. 

IS Series: We Just Bought A (Used) Car!

Hey there! 

I know, I know it's been too long, but I now come with great news! WE. JUST. BOUGHT. A. CAR!!! I can actually taste our hard-earned freedom from the elements, from 1 hour+ bus rides and missing buses! We can now grocery shop with utmost abandon! :P No more lugging around personal carts while waiting under the harsh summer sun or during snowstorms. We can now go to wherever we want, whenever we want! FREEDOM BEYBEEEEE

 

Okayyy, too much happiness my friend. 

So how did we go around shopping for one? Well, it started when Mr. A got serious about taking his G license. As soon as he passed (thank you Etobicoke!), we started looking around Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or just randomly looking around dealerships around town for good second-hand vehicles. Our criteria were:

 

1) It should be a Japanese brand (reliability factor), 

2) Not above 300,000 km, 

3) Not more than 5K CAD,

4) the body should still be presentable/the engine is not too worn out, and

5) it should be an SUV.

With our budget, however, we were working on a limited market. Used Toyotas were still expensive for <2005 models, and even then the frames are either too outdated, too rusty, or no warranties were offered. We can't risk buying one that will give up on us 3 months in. We also didn't want to consider financing just to get something brand-new, it's not a practical choice for temporary residents. 

So after 2 weeks and 2 failed trips to Scarborough and Dundas, we found Dar Motors in Halton Hills. There, we had to compromise on our above list as Mr. A fell in love at first sight with a used 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS 2-door coupe. We had to re-work our list on multiple levels based on its nationality (Korean), pricing (>5 but <10), and that it was a sedan, albeit a coupe. I originally wanted an SUV because I felt that it was a more practical vehicle for winter and that we can carry more items on it vs. getting a sedan. However, Mr. A pointed out that its fuel economy is top-notch, and that the body is well-maintained for its age. At this point in our life, getting a car that is appropriate for our family size is what we actually need, and not a gas-guzzling, older model SUV. We also had a 1-year engine warranty plus an additional 6-month coverage on our AC. They will be taking care of registration and car detailing, and all we had to do is pay a $500 down payment at the onset and the rest of the balance on the day of pick-up. 

So I took away all my prejudices and said yes. They were also open to bringing the car to our mechanic of choice so we can get it checked, and even dropped us off at home on the way. Talk about customer service! With this in mind, we went ahead and closed the sale 2 days ago.  We even got our lucky number plates customized! Thanks again Naveed of Dar Motors, their service is truly the best :) 

If you want to get in touch with them, they can be reached at below:

See you on our next roadtrip!

5.6.2022

Recently I've been feeling down. It's like everyday is a challenge that must be overcome. I found no passion in life, in my relationships. I even hate going to work. I'm watching My Liberation Notes and what's going on there resonates to what I'm feeling right now. It's like I'm in a bog and life here is slowly suffocating me.

ctto

The last time I felt this hopeless and stuck was 2010. I had no work then, no boyfriend, no direction in life. I felt adrift. All that ambition when I was young went nowhere. I always felt like I was incompetent, that I knew nothing. 

Thinking back, I should've been more grateful because I still had my mom and my little brother. Maybe the same thing is happening now, that I should be grateful for my husband who's able to adjust to our life here. Me, I still can't let go of our life in UAE. Leaving our family and friends for a new life here in CA, was it worth it? I still can't wrap my head around it I guess. I was too excited about coming that I didn't even think about what kind of life we'll be leading here.

Anyway, I decided to make an online gratitude journal. Maybe this way I get some of my enthusiasm for life back. Exert more effort in living in the moment and not thoroughly strategizing our every step like there's no more time is becoming a real threat to my sanity.

IS Series: Convert Your AlHosn Vaccine Certificate to ON Vaccine Certificate with QR Code

 I'm not exactly sure if converting our vaccine certificates has any bearing on our daily life here in CA, but we decided to have it registered in case it might be required later on. Currently, we're already being asked for proof of vaccination for in-door dining so in case we do transition to face to face classes, we have it ready.

To do so, click on this link and answer a questionnaire. It will start out with the below question, and you just have to answer as truthfully as you can and have your own certificate ready for upload. Bear in mind that these are for Ontario residents only, other provinces may have their own procedures in converting international vaccine certificates.

After filling everything up, you will get two confirmation emails stating that you have successfully registered your vaccines and to wait for review. We did ours on February 10th and we received our enhanced certificates just today, February 25th, so it took about 16 days including weekends. Our 4th dose wasn't included though but we do still have our own AlHosn Vaccine certificates ready just in case.

You have to also have your OHIP ID no. ready during registration so you can access your vaccine certificates once it's ready for download.

That's it folks! Need to continue my training now :) See y'all around!

UPDATE: 25/02/24 

Yes, it does have an impact when you want to avail of further COVID boosters. Residents are required to update their vaccination status online if they want to schedule appointments with designated vaccine centres.

For the Peel Region, please visit this link to register your out of province (and country) COVID vaccine status: Peel Region COVID Registration 

25.2.2022

Now on our second month, and we're barely hanging in there.

We had a medical emergency back home but the great thing is Mr. A's mom is now safe and sound. She's currently recovering at home, thank You Lord, and the family's banding together to help her get through this. It's best when you have your slush funds ready, but we do have to get serious now in job hunting to make sure we're not financially short moving forward.

Medical insurance is a must now in the Philippines, as hospital bills can easily rise for a matter of DAYS. Philhealth can be utilized but it's peanuts compared to having an actual HMO or a critical illness cover. We need to plan wisely for our elders' healthcare soon or else our out of pocket payments will bring us to financial ruin T_T

IS Series: Getting OHIP Coverage

Ola from newly covered TRs! :P

 So I just got back from Service Ontario with spanking brand new OHIP coverage :) Sadly it doesn't cover Mr. A's prescriptions but at least consultations are free. We'll have to research more on additional coverage but at least we're one tick off our settlement list.

If you're like us and you don't know where TH to start, here's what we did:

1. GETTING OUR DOCS READY

For the full list of accepted documents, you can refer to this link: OHIP Documents

There are three (3) required supporting documents to present to Service Ontario, and everything should either be original or printed out (if electronic documents). Since we were new residents and we didn't have much paperwork yet, what we prepared were as follows:

• Originals of OWP (for Mr. A) and my SP and WP along with Mr. A's Certificate of Employment. The COE stated that he's working full time, position, start date and that he will be employed for a minimum of 6 months on his company's letterhead. (Proof of OHIP-eligible status)
• Mr. A's and mine's most recent paystub, printed, and with our address (Proof of residency in Ontario)
• Original PHL passports (Proof of identity)
• Completed OHIP registration forms with our signatures.

We actually brought original and stamped bank statements from RBC but the officer said they cannot honor it (maybe only for credit card statements where it's mailed to you). Good thing I received a paystub a day before our appointment or else we would have to go back.

2.  SET AN APPOINTMENT

Not all Service Ontario locations entertain new OHIP applications especially for temporary residents so we went all the way to Westdale Mall to process ours. People can actually walk in since there was no line but you do have the option to book an appointment so you're guaranteed service. To do so, just click on this link to set it: Service Ontario Westdale Mall.

Service Ontario exterior (Westdale Mall)

If you're applying with a dependent, you only have to book one appointment for the both of you. Good thing the office is located inside the mall = no outdoor lines! When we got our SIN, we had to line up for 4 hours outside a Service Canada Center and we both got really sick afterwards! We had to spend NYE in bed with a sore throat and cough when we should've been doing photo ops in Blue Mountain Resort T_T

And THAT'S IT FOLKS! Temporary slips will be issued with your OHIP numbers while your actual cards will come in the mail about a month after. Travel time back and forth from Eglinton to Westdale Mall was almost an hour but the actual application process took less than 10 minutes.

view from Mr. A's workplace

Mr. A had to go back to work right after so I dropped him off before going home. 

The weather was -14 but felt like -20 (it rained and snowed the night before). I had to brisk walk home because it felt like my nails were about to come off my toes and I can't feel my fingers anymore -_-

'Til the next post!

3.2.2022

 I don't really care much at this point.

Everything feels exhausting, I feel like I've worked myself to the bone for almost 9 years and now manual labor coupled with studies made me think I've bitten off more than I can chew.

I'm supposed to study for an Econ and OB test but my mind's off a-wandering. I actually want to study and I've been listening to IU's Gloomy Clock to set the mood. Just made me more restless and think of less desirable things.