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IRPP, WHY DO WE HAVE THEM.

M Feetham

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I was sitting at my desk today eating my lunch when my W.O's phone rang. He handed it to me and said it was for me. When I answered it turned out to be my relocation guy at the base I just got to.Wonderful, we all know what it means when you get phone calls from these guys, right. My file was closed almost six months ago. So I asked him what I could do for him and he says there is a problem with my file and he needed to see me in his office right away. Lovely, everyone knows what that means. So when I get to his office he says that Ottawa went thru my file and said that there was stuff that I received money for that I was not entitled to. Brilliant that's all I need after being posted to the province of double democracy and superfluous taxation. Luckily it is only 250.00, but it still hurts the wallet. I even made sure when I was closing out my file to ask him to double check all the paperwork to make sure I wasn't getting more than I was entitled to. Wow, that worked well. Anyway, thanks for listening, I would appreciate any views any one might have, or similar incidents.
Ciao.  :cdn:
Marc
 
M Feetham said:
I was sitting at my desk today eating my lunch when my W.O's phone rang. He handed it to me and said it was for me. When I answered it turned out to be my relocation guy at the base I just got to.Wonderful, we all know what it means when you get phone calls from these guys, right. My file was closed almost six months ago. So I asked him what I could do for him and he says there is a problem with my file and he needed to see me in his office right away. Lovely, everyone knows what that means. So when I get to his office he says that Ottawa went thru my file and said that there was stuff that I received money for that I was not entitled to. Brilliant that's all I need after being posted to the province of double democracy and superfluous taxation. Luckily it is only 250.00, but it still hurts the wallet. I even made sure when I was closing out my file to ask him to double check all the paperwork to make sure I wasn't getting more than I was entitled to. Wow, that worked well. Anyway, thanks for listening, I would appreciate any views any one might have, or similar incidents.
Ciao.  :cdn:
Marc

I was posted twice in 2005, beleive i share your pain.In some ways the old system going through the base OR was better.  I like some aspects of the new system but i would rather deal with military personel that those awful Royal lepage civilians.  Having dealt with their offices in Edmonton, gagetown, Greenwood and Comox, i can tell you that Greenwood was the worse.  All i can say on the whole thing is never to rely on them for what you are/are not entitled to.  I learned that lesson the hard way and on my last move....i had to tell them what was what in a less than polite manner in order to avoid taking it up the rear.  For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure yet, make it your personal mission to read every single order, directive or policy there is out there for moves and dont be afraid to go see the DND military rep and complain.
 
The worst part is that my wife was a real estate agent in Halifax, and she has done relocations, she knows the book even if I don't. Unfortunatley you can't always read every little item on the subject, it is pretty much impossible. This was my first cost move in my career(15 yrs), I am now thinking of ways to get out of here but I dread having to deal with a bunch of civilians who really don't care about the members. That is something else maybe IRPP should do is have a system available to let members know about some of the surprises that may pop up when they go from province to province. Like the 4000.00 income tax bill I could be slapped with cause taxes in Quebec are ridiculous.
Thoughts and comments?
Marc  :cdn:
 
M Feetham said:
The worst part is that my wife was a real estate agent in Halifax, and she has done relocations, she knows the book even if I don't. Unfortunatley you can't always read every little item on the subject, it is pretty much impossible. This was my first cost move in my career(15 yrs), I am now thinking of ways to get out of here but I dread having to deal with a bunch of civilians who really don't care about the members. That is something else maybe IRPP should do is have a system available to let members know about some of the surprises that may pop up when they go from province to province. Like the 4000.00 income tax bill I could be slapped with cause taxes in Quebec are ridiculous.
Thoughts and comments?
Marc  :cdn:

This was my 4th cost-move (in 13 years) .  One of the worse one was when i was posted from alberta to new brunswick.  I went through the same thing you did with taxes.
 
I'm in the middle of a move now, and it seems like my Royal Lepage agent is playing the 'I've got a secret' game.

There's so much money that we're entitled to, and she tells me about some of it, but other things I'm finding out on my own.  If I didn't know to ask about it, then I wouldn't have gotten it! 

It's really frustrating, and I'm not finding her helpful at all.  This is my very first move, so it's a little overwhelming.  For someone who is put in place to help me, she isn't doing a very good job of making me feel at ease. 
 
I have moved several times under IRP and had a variety of experiences.

I also remember the days of the OR doing our claims and paperwork. In short it was a three D nightmare. Your claims depended on the clerks skill and knowledge. With the general lack of clerks at the unit levels I can not forsee the CF going back to the units handling moves. It is time and labour intensive.

IRP are relocation specialist, that is all they do. I think the best advice given so far on this thread is READ everything, that which you do not understand ASK for clarification. As far as preferring to deal with military vice civvies, well that is the modern day CF in many aspects. Knowledge in this case is power and you must arm yourself so that you get your full entitlement. If you think the Rep is hiding something call them on it. Don't worry about hurt feelings that is what they are paid to do.

If you feel you are really screwed over they will provided a number for the military coordinator of the IRP and that person will take any necessary action to clear up any misunderstanding. I don't have the number handy but your Rep will be able to provide it or it is on their website.

I personally like the flexibility of the IRP that is suited to our more diverse families with many different needs. I know I am going against the thread norm here but I have been generally happy with them and any time I did have a disagreement I had the rep go over it in painful detail until sunk past my brain housing mechanism.  :salute:
 
I think it is really key to read and re-read the Its Your Move and CF IRP APS 2006 policy manual. If you do your homework, you should get a good idea of what is available to you, and what you may be entitled to...then ask questions and demand answers...

I am currently in the middle of our first IRP move, and I have made a point to know those books inside and out. Fortunately our relocation specialist is on the ball as well, but she is also thankful that I am taking the time to try to know the system.

The policies and entitlements change every year...so early in every APS the IRP staff have to learn it all too. They have to throw out the old policies that they have only become familiar with and start learning the new ones...that is why it is so important to do your own homework too.
 
If you are not satisfied with the IRPP clerk....ask for another one.

They are there to help you and ensure that you get every last dime entitled to you during the moving process.

I went through them about 5 years ago and fired (got a replacement..not actually get her terminated)my first case handler....for being incompitant.

She didn't like it but oh well, she was putting the scews to me, unknowingly I think. When I called her on it, she was pissed...got the head guy...etc etc.

Get familiar with the book and know what you can get...and don't exagerate during the claim either. I know a guy who did...after an audit, well you get the idea.

Good luck and have fun    ;D

Regards
 
I feel your pain. I got dinged for $7k last move due to an IRP coord giving bad data. Long story, however the chain of command fully supported my case and it went to DCBA for adjudication. DCBA sided with IRP (quelle surprise). Even Canada Customs & Revenue Agency sided with me, praise for small miracles!

Read the book, especially the white one. Because on pg 16, 2.06, there is a key para that IRP can use to absolve themselves of giving you bad data:

"Members are responsible to understand their relocation benefits...because expenses resulting from mistakes will not necessarily be reimbursable"

Once again: RTFM! ;D
 
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