Do you have any disability related questions for yourself or a loved-one? Did you know that at Plan Institute, we have a free Disability Planning Helpline that you can call toll-free from anywhere in Canada? Our team of eight advisors specialize in providing advice to families and individuals on disability topics including the Disability Tax Credit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan, trusts & estate planning, advocacy approaches, government benefit programs, social network building and more.
Our advisors are based from across Canada and come from all walks of life. They range from financial advisors to personal coaches, family members of somebody with a disability to people with disabilities themselves. Each of the advisors have a personal connection to the disability community and are very experienced in the topic they advise on.
If you haven’t already connected with us, the number is 1-844-311-7526. Our services are free and available to all Canadians!
Alison
“I love being able to use my knowledge of financial planning to support people through their challenges.”
Alison is a Certified Financial Planner from Vancouver, BC. Alison has had her Financial Planning Designation since 2004 and brings experience from both the banking and brokerage areas of the Financial Industry to Plan Institute’s Helpline and RDSP workshops. Alison also gives back by being involved with Vancouver Adaptive Ski Sports and the Audain Art Museum. With Plan Institute, Alison provides specialist investment advice related to the RDSP and can support in helping individuals find the right investment options for them. Alison also works as a facilitator for our RDSP Level 2 webinars.
Alison specializes in questions related to RDSP investments and helping individuals find the right institution for their RDSP.
Andrea
“What I love about the Helpline is that we embody empowerment. We listen; we let the individual tell us where they need to go. Then, we share what we know or we find out more if we don’t know. We have a thirst for knowledge and we share it with our community. It’s as simple as that, yet it can change the trajectory of people’s lives. I am so proud to be a part of this team!”
Andrea, who is also a freelance copywriter and Certified Professional & Personal Coach, brings personal experience to the Advisor role. She understands how parents, caregivers, and individuals can feel overwhelmed when navigating the RDSP process. Andrea also brings past experience in the non-profit sector, with literacy and job development as her areas of interest. She lives with her family in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
Andrea specializes in the basics of the RDSP and can discuss support available to people in Ontario.
Helene
“My goal is to help as many people as possible open and grow their RDSPs so that they may enjoy a better life.”
Helene has been supporting families and individuals through the helpline since 2010. In this role, she has consulted with doctors, advocates, lawyers, social workers, investment advisors as well as family members and people with diverse disabilities everywhere from Haida Gwaii to Fogo Island. Her passion is providing information so that people can be better equipped to qualify for the RDSP.
Helene specializes in everything RDSP related.
Justine
“What I love about the Helpline is the opportunity to connect with people with disabilities and their families across Canada and hear their stories of resilience and strength while navigating challenging situations.”
Justine joined Plan Institute as a Helpline Advisor in 2018 and currently is working to complete her Masters in Social Work. Before she joined the team, she worked with Disability Alliance BC to promote the RDSP to community members and health professionals and work one on one with clients to apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
Justine specializes in questions related to the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
Laura
“What I love about the helpline is the extensive knowledge and fast response that our advisors provide to those who are supporting people with disabilities as well as people with disabilities themselves. In some cases, we can help save people hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and give them the information they need to be able to properly set up an RDSP which will help to improve their quality of life in their later years.”
Laura is a financial professional specializing in helping people with disabilities and their families. Laura is an expert on the RDSP and is a facilitator for Plan Institute’s Level 1 RDSP webinar. To date she has facilitated approximately 100 sessions on the RDSP. Her other passion is as an accessibility advocate, most notably in her role as the Vice-Chair of the Person’s with Disabilities Advisory Committee for the City of Vancouver as well as the Vice-Chair of the Translink HandyDART Users Advisory Committee. In her free time, Laura enjoys listening to audio books, TED talks, attending concerts, theatre, cooking, and travelling the world on cruises.
Laura specializes in information on the RDSP and tax information for individuals outside of BC.
Laurie
“I have actively used the information I provide through the Helpline to help my daughter apply for and receive the disability benefit, prepare her Section 7 Representation Agreement, write her will, and get access to a variety of other supports and services. I love that the information I provide through the Helpline is useful for people. It brings a sigh of relief, great joy, and peace of mind to callers as well.”
Laurie has been involved with Plan Institute and our sister organization, PLAN, for a number of years. She is the mother of a Lifetime Member of PLAN and has first-hand experience supporting a family member with a disability. At Plan Institute, Laurie provides callers with legal information around wills and trusts as well as the BC disability benefit, funding for supports and services, supported or subsidized housing, education, and future planning. Alongside our legal professional partners, Laurie has co-facilitated Plan Institute’s Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning Workshops and Webinars for almost 10 years.
Laurie specializes in questions about wills, estate planning, housing and other related matters.
Neelam
“What I love about the helpline is the genuine support everyone is willing to contribute”
Born and raised in Vancouver, B.C., Neelam attended Simon Fraser University and settled in Surrey, B.C. Neelam has worked as a financial professional for the past 16 years, where she promotes financial education to families across Canada. In this role, Neelam specialized in educating Canadians about the disability tax credit (DTC) & RDSPs. Neelam is delighted to share her passion for helping Canadians learn & utilize programs available to them to her role as an advisor at Plan Institute.
Neelam’s specializes in helping individuals navigate the DTC and RDSP.
Remember you can call the helpline anytime from anywhere in Canada and one of our family experts will answer your questions usually within 1-2 business days. Our advisors will help you navigate complex topics including the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), trusts & estate planning, advocacy approaches, government benefit programs, social network building and more. Call us toll-free at 1-844-311-7526 or email in at info@rdsp.com today.
If you’d like to get in contact with us about the helpline or other work that Plan Institute does, you can email us at: info@planinstitute.ca
Our helpline is always open. Call us toll-free on: 1-844-311-7526 and leave a message. One of our advisors will get back to you at a time convenient to you.