Weight Loss Grants Organization

I signed up through the WLGO for the sole purpose of assisted weight loss. I in turn over the required time allotted achieved my goal of 40lbs lost. I submitted all required and verified documentation September 30, 2018. I called, emailed, refaxed paperwork, posted on their message board so many times to inquire about my approval status since then. Fast forward to February 27, 2019...I finally received my letter stating I have been approved and my $1920.00 is on its way to me & to kindly post a review of my experience. No cheque arrived. And now today May 30, 2019...I get an email from ***- who I have been TRYING to contact since my acceptance letter- stating that my claim is denied. Attempts to contact WLGO again prove to be futile. I have emailed this woman again today demanding a call back.

In February 2018, I began a program at the Dalewood clinic in Oakville to help me lose the 20lbs required to earn 80% of my initial weight loss program cost back from the Ontario Weight Loss Grant (OWLG). Both Dalewood and OWLG claim to be unaffiliated, though through recent media exposure, it seems that they are affiliated in a way that was not disclosed to me. When I called OWLG to inquire about their grant program initially, they funnelled me to their own clinic (Dalewood) and promised a 80% reimbursement of weight loss costs, compared to 20%, if I went an alternate route. The parameters seemed clear at the time: Lose the weight by the prescribed date and be reimbursed 80% of the $2640 that was spent at Dalewood. No further terms or conditions were ever provided to me by OWLG or Dalewood regarding requirements to achieve the grant reimbursement. Requirements were met.
In an email on Jan.17/19, I was advised "Effective January 20, 2019, your document portal will be open for 30-days during which period of time you must attend for a weight out using the attached form and upload it along with your supporting documentation for prompt review." Both of which I did on Feb.16/19, satisfying the timeline specified by OWLG. Once all was submitted on Feb.16/19, I waited the outcome. In April 2019, I contacted the OWLG to check the status of my grant and was told my claim had been escalated to a manager who would call me. No one called. Two weeks later I was sent an email denying my claim for the following reasons: "Applicant weighed out Feb 16th, 2019. Deadline Jan 20th, 2019. Applicant did not upload weigh in declaration form. "
Regarding the weigh-out; I followed the specified parameters sent to me on Jan.17/19 with time to spare. Regarding the weigh-in declaration form, I was never advised of it, nor that one needed to be submitted. An email from *** from OWLG sent on Feb.15/18 advised she was sending a " Conditional Grant confirmation by mail today and will include a form you will need to bring with you to the clinic to have signed. If the mail doesn't reach you by the time of your appointment, the clinician should have a blank copy that can be used." I never received any mail at any point during this process from the OWLG, however I did attend the initial weigh in and signed a form with *** on Feb.16/18. I was never advised by OWLG or *** that this form, or any other, needed to be uploaded to the weight loss grant portal or sent to OWLG. Despite this, my client portal clearly states my initial weight is "declared" leading me to believe the necessary form was, in fact, sent to OWLG by *** from Dalewood. This shows that Dalewood and OWLG were, in fact, in contact though they claim to have no contact or affiliation. Further, the portal was not open for uploading documents until Jan.20/19, as per the email on Jan.17/19, so I am unclear how a document could have been uploaded prior to this time.
Once my claim was denied, I reached out to *** (***) to which he claimed to have no control over the OWLG's decisions and cannot access my file with them. However, in a following email, *** dismissed any responsibility for the absence of Dalewood services by stating my claim through OWLG was denied due to a number of unmet requirements. I am unclear how he would have access to my file and the information in it, as I never gave OWLG permission to disclose my information to anyone outside the OWLG. The OWLG, in my case, shifted the now met requirements without notice to me to free themselves of obligation to pay out a grant. I felt deceived into believing that OWLG is separate from Dalewood and that the requirements of the grant were fully communicated to me. I have the documentation to prove I met the required criteria- emails and screenshots from my portal, etc. There was absolutely no reason to deny my grant. I am seeking the 80% grant totalling $1968.

. Advertised on radio, etc. makes you think that with the word grant this is approved by the government. I did what my contract stipulated but they keep giving excuses why I was disqualified.

I joined weight loss grants in good faith in February 2018. Followed all their rules. Lost the required amount to weight (as per my contract). Submitted all documents on time. Was told on many occasions I would be contacted if there was anything missing. I continued to email them and they kept telling everything was fine. They had a back log of applications to process. Then request I reweigh and resubmit documents but did not tell me until it was to late to get a doctor's appointed that the re submission email was not required after telling me I had to wait for it. *** emailed misinformation and did not meet their obligations. ***. I paid $2500.00 and they did not meet their obligation to me as promised. They would not even supply a detailed receipt as I requested from a registered dietitian so that I could submit it to my private medical.

I joined the weight loss grant program. I completed it and was told to wait for my cheque in the mail. I never received my grant. When I inquired they said I had to submit on line, but I had talked to their staff twice after I emailed my information to them and I was told to wait. My amount should have been approximately $900.00.

I applied to the Weight Loss Grant on Aug 7, 2017 and was accepted on August 9, 2017. I entered into an agreement with Dalewood Health in Calgary in August 2017 and paid them $2,400. The sales rep *** was adamant that if I just reached the set weight loss goal that I was guaranteed to get back $1,800 from the grant. I met all of the conditions of the grant and submitted my claim properly on March 18, 2019. I have contacted them a couple of times for an update and just heard back today from *** that I have not submitted my documents. I have a timestamped screenshot proving that all documentation was uploaded on March 18. Their "Request Grant" webpage where documents are to be submitted has been altered and now there is not even any way to upload any documents. I sent an email again today to ***@weightlossgrants.org with all documents plus the timestamped screenshot as proof they had received the upload 2 months ago. I faithfully executed the agreement, submitted all paperwork properly, and now they are attempting to avoid paying the $1,800 that is rightfully mine.

Hello,

I have just been rejected my grant. They waited 8 months after I completed my sign out to let me know that I did not qualify because I sent in my forms a few weeks before the deadline. I was told I had to lose the weight and sign out before the deadline not after by the clinic director. But I was never told I had to do it on the exact deadline line date. I did get an extension on my grant and worked so hard. I am very disappointed.

He is the email I received dated April 29th, I have been trying to contact both the clinic and the weight loss grants but no one answers and the automated system hangs up on me.

Dear ***,

We regret to inform you that your Weight Loss Grant was not approved for the following reason(s):

"Applicant weighed out Sept 21st, 2018. Deadline Oct 18th, 2018. "

Thank you for applying and we wish you good health in all your endeavors.

Yours truly,

The Weight Loss Grants Organizatio

Did my weigh in at *** in Barrie with *** (the sponsoring accredited provider recommended by them). Received the Conditional Funding certificated dated Feb 7, 2018. Did my weight in and paid *** on Feb 9/18. Paid $2,640 and was told $2,112 would be paid back via the grant when I successfully lost the agreed weight. *** from the organization emailed me on Feb 26, 2018 at 3:49pm stating that in fact my weight declaration was filed and she had everything required. I lost the weight and my doctors office completed the weight declaration form on December 14, 2019. All required information was completed to be awarded the grant. My claim has been rejected "Applicant did not upload weigh in declaration form. Incomplete validation documentation from doctor's office regarding weigh out. " I have an email stating that in fact they did receive the declaration as well as a fax from my doctors office verifying the documentation. I did everything required there is no reason for me not to be approved for the "grant".

Hello,

Thank you for making this news public. I too myself have been *** by this weight loss grant! I applied for the grant back in 2017 and scheduled to be completed in January of 2019. During the time I was participating in the grant program I had a very good experience with ***. What I didn't have a good time with was my questions of clarification I had with the weight loss company. When asking for clarification on requirements, I would get short responses that did not address my question. When asking to weigh in earlier than my "time of weigh in" due to me loosing the required weight, I was told this was not allowed and must wait till my file gets opened at the end of the contract. Shortly before I was to reach my end of contract, I received an e-mail from the Weight Loss Grant organization stating that my "Effective January 8, 2019, your document portal will be open for 30-days during which period of time you must attend for a weight out using the attached form and upload it along with your supporting dodumentation for prompt review." Upon going to see my Dr on the 15th of January (Within the 30 days), I promptly submitted all my required information thru the portal and was shortly notified after that I have been selected for an Audit of my information. Once the audit was complete, on May 10th, 2019, I was notified that my grant was denied because I had to do the weigh in on the 8th only.

This has been very frustrating *** I met my requirements, I wanted to weigh in early but was denied, I then followed their request on the e-mail they submitted to me and then I was denied!

I was a weight loss grant participant from March 2018- March 2019
WLGO would not answer my questions or phone calls and took away my ability to provide them with medical information from my doctor regarding the amount of weight I needed to lose. I tried for two months to get my questions answered and when they didn't respond with ANY useful information or help...I gave up. Even though on their website at that time it did say that a letter from a physician would be adequate and reasonable due to health reasons. My doctor didn't want me to go under 150 pounds, which was only 4 lbs less than the contract read 176lbs-146 lbs. I have insulin dependant diabetes and she felt that 146 was not a healthy weight for me. I contacted WLGO several times with *** responses. I also appealed to*** to help me and they also refused. I have all the proof in document form.

On Aug 29, 2018 I joined a weight loss program being offered by Weight Loss Grants Organization through *** in Cornwall. I had 33 lbs to loose in order to be refunded by Wlgo as per the information I received from them. I was successful and was weighed out below my goal weight on March 1, 2019. I downloaded all the files requested all the receipts and doctors notes required and received from the Weight Loss Program an email on March 1 saying that my grant was successfully received and placed in priority sequence. I paid out $1,499 and was to be reimbursed for 80 percent upon reaching my goal. I followed all the rules and completed my part just to be told that I was denied reimbursement due to the fact that I weighed out March 1 instead of February 28th. I do have a document that I had printed a copy of from WLGo stating that I will need to upload within 30 days once your documents portal opens on February 28, 2019 all my data and submit to the Weight Loss Program. I did as I asked on March 1, 2019. I am now told that I missed The deadline of February 28, 2019. This document from them clearly shows I had 30 days to complete the tasks. Speaking to them does not seem to have any resolution so I have decided to put in a claim to the Revdex.com looking for help in the situation.

I applied for the Weight loss grant and gave myself 1 year to complete. I had spoken to several agents on the phone and all also through our online chat. I was instructed that as of Feb 5th 2019 my end date, I would have 30 days to then go weigh out at a doctors office submit my paperwork and apply for my grant. I followed this and weighed out on Feb 7th 2019. I was suppose to get an email 3 days before my end date to give me instructions on how to weigh out, I never received this email and finally on Feb 5th 2019 commented on my message board to ask about how do I weigh out and where do I get the proper form to do so. I was also instructed over the phone to go to a doctors office and weigh out. I was told within 30 days of my end date this had to be completed. Submitted all of my paperwork and then they said I did not qualify because my end date was Feb 5th and m weigh out was FEb 7th . I followed the instructions given to me by their employees and then got told I was rejecfted for the grant that I did loose my weight to receive. I was told I would get 80% back from my 2400 program. I am just looking to receive the money I worked hard to earn by meeting my goal. I have called several times and not been able to leave a voicemail, So I have called and messaged on the messaged board and not received a response in the last week after being told my issue would be "escalated and someone would contact me back"

I completed the contract I signed and agreed upon......(I lost 107 lbs ) I did this within the set time and fully followed all the rules and regulations. I sent the paperwork in, and then followed up with the Grants Division. After stringing me along for 5 months they told me this week I have been denied. This is unacceptable. Im totally in compliance with our agreement and want to be given my money back
Product_Or_Service: weight loss
Order_Number: 77rXXXXXXX

File Number: 77RXXXXXXXX

I applied in January 2018 to the weight loss grant program (WLG) and was accepted. My final date to meet my weight goal was October 6, 2018 and I met my weight goal and submitted all the documents to WLG on October 3, 2018.

On October 3, 2018 I received an email stating:

"This email confirms that you have finished submitting your documentation.

We will review and verify your documents within the next fews days. If any documents are still needed or if any clarification is required, we will contact you.

Once your documentation has been verified, we will send your Grant payment. If you have any questions or if you need to speak with a Representative, please reply via the Message Board.

Thank you and congratulations!"

After they reviewed the information, which took a very long time they wanted some clarification, so I sent them more information in an email to "***@weightlossgrants.org" on January 22, 2019 which *** responded to by email on January 30, 2019 stating:

"My apologies for the delay in responding.

I've forwarded these to the adjudicators.

Have a great day!

***
Call Center Manager
EXT ***

I never heard anything for months, so I followed up on May 19, 2019 on the message board asking for an update. I asked:

"Hi, can I please get an update on my status? Has anyone reviewed my file?"

*** from Weight Loss Grants responded two days later on May 21, 2019 stating:

"We do not have a update."

I met my weight goal and submitted documents in October 2018 and I still haven't received my grant. It has been way too long to review all this information. I've either been ignored, or given delay tactics.

I've been out of pocket this substantial amount of money for a long time now and this whole process has created unnecessary stress and taken up way too much of my time trying to follow-up with this issue.

File Number: 77RXXXXXXXX
ADJUDICATOR: ***
COORDINATOR:

Kim W Calgary,AB.
***
I signed up for the weight loss Grant September 2017 I have lost my weight as of December 2018.
I submitted my grant in order to get my $1,920 back and they have rejected me based on they didn't get proper documentation from my doctor.

My doctor's twice faxed the weight loss Grand organization all of my information stating that I had lost the weight it took over 6 months to get the rejection letter if I knew *** when I signed up and paid over $2,400 I wouldn't have done that ***.
I currently read on CBC that there is multiple of people not getting their refund and I do not think it's fair that they changed the rules after you sign up if they're going to change the rules change it for the new people not for the people who signed up a year-and-a-half ago.
I called them I emailed them and I message them through their online message for it and nobody not one single person would return my call my email or give me the correct information on the message board as to what they were missing for my weight loss Grant.

I originally contacted the Weight Loss Grant Organization after hearing many radio commercials and was sent to the *** office of *** for my original weigh in on Februrary 13, 2018. Since I was sent to *** by the WLGO agency it was implied that *** is an agent for the WLGO. At this time the Clinic Director (***) explained how easy obtaining the grant was and went on to sell me the *** program. My initial weight was 179 lbs and to qualify I had to set a goal of 20% of my weight or a minimum of 20lbs. We set the goal of 31 lbs as documented on the intake form.

I was told that upon reaching the agreed upon goal (31 lbs/148 lbs) receive 80% of the total expense of the weightloss program. Then the Clinic Director at ***, explained to me how successful the *** program was and that if I opted for this program the I would be reimbursed a total of $2112 by the WLGO. She wrote on a pamphlet that "upon reaching the goal you will receive $2112." (I have this documentation).

I then paid the first 50% deposit on in February 20, 2018 to the total of $1320 and two weeks later the remaining $1320 for a total of $2640 on March 20, 2018. I completed the intake appointments and go started on the program.

I had occasional correspondence with the staff at *** and when I reached my agreed goal weight in November I contacted them to advise me how to obtain my grant. They assured me how simple it was. I went ahead and completed the necessary paperwork, which included a visit to a doctor on November 9, 2018 for a 'weigh out' form to be completed at which time I was 148 lbs. I submitted this documentation to the WLGO the same day along with the original service agreement, acceptance letter, thank you letter, and invoice for payment to *** for a total of $2640. I then waited and waited, I didn't hear anything from *** or WLGO. I later learned the procedure had changed due to numerous instances of *** and that the website wasn't clear on the protocols. I contacted WLGO via phone and the WLGO website 'message board' (I have screenshots and a print out) and they told me I had to wait until my program 'end date' which was March 23, 2019 before requesting the grant. In the interm, I had several telephone conversations (which I recorded) and 'message board' correspondence via the WLGO website regarding the timeline to complete the grant to ensure I followed all of the rules because I had travel plans from March 14-26 and wanted to be certain this wasn't going to interfere with the deadline to submit the documents for the grant. I even emailed the Adjudication Board (***) on March 12, 2019 offering to visit the doctor a few days earlier to avoid any conflict but never received a reply (this correspondence is documented.) Some examples of the written correspondence on the WLGO 'message board' include; On March 4, 2019 '***' from WLGO replied, "You have 30 days from your end date to submit all your final weigh out documents. " And additionally, from *** on March 4, 2019 confirmed this with the following message "You may weight out within 30 days following your deadline date." Both of these agents at WLGO indicated that I had up to 30 after my end date (March 23) to complete and submit the necessary documents. So once I returned from my trip I went to my family doctor on March 30th and had him completed the necessary 'weigh out' form and was 141 lbs and resubmitted all the required documentation via the WLGO website. I followed up with several emails to *** at WLGO, message board inquires, and telephone calls (all documented). It took over 6 weeks for a written reply from WLGO and on May 14, 2019 stating that my grant was 'rejected' because "Applicant weighed out March 29th, 2019. March 20th, 2019. " Which is invalid because I weighed out 30 days within my end date.

On February 22, 2018 I weighed in at *** clinic in *** alberta. I made 1 payment of $1320.00 on Feb 22, 2018 and another $1320.00 on March 26, 2018. I began the program and had 10 months to lose 30lbs. My final date to have lost the weight was January 29, 2019. I achieved the weight loss and actually lost 4 lbs more. I was supposed to receive a email 3 days prior to Jan 29th informing me of what to do and how to get the form to do the official weight. However I did not receive the email but I weighed in at *** thinking that this would be sufficient. *** at *** said no that I need to weight in a the doctors office that signed my declaration when I started. I was not aware of this. *** dialed the number to the weight loss grants head office and I talked to someone about what I should do. My doctor is in *** which is 1 and 1é2 hours away from ***. He said I could go to any doctors office and be weighed in. Have the doctor wright my weight on a prescription pad and that would be accepted. So that is what Ã?I did. When I got home I uploaded all the forms and the doctors note. I put all the forms that I sent into a folder on my computer so Ã?I would have proof and knowledge of what I had sent. I sent several messages to them asking how long it would take and each time was told they were back logged and didnèt know when I would be reimbursed. On may 14, 2019 I received a message from the Weight Loss Grants informing me that I had been rejected because I did not submit a weight in declaration. I responded to them asking how I can dispute this as I did indeed submit all the papers and they responded that I did not. There was no other steps recommended for me to take.

In October 2017 I signed up for a weight loss program. *** was the clinic I signed up with through weight loss grant. *** being the owner/ main sponsor of this organization). The agreement was that if I lost the set amount of weight (30lbs) by the set time (1 year) I would get an 80% grant for the weight loss clinic. What the grant really is, is a reimbursement of the money I put in. I paid $2400 up front and upon completion of the program and loosing the weight, I'm supposed to be getting back $2000. Come October 2018, I lost the weight and submitted ALL documents that were required at the time. Weight loss grant sent me an email saying that they will be in touch with me in the next couple of days if there are any errors that need to be corrected In the documents. I never heard back from them. I called a month later and talked to someone on the general help line who wasn't able to proved me with any information in regards to the status of my grant. I received an email may 7th 2019 informing me that my grant request hasn't been approved for "I didn't upload a signed thank you letter and my way out date was oct 19th and my deadline was nov 13th" (another words my letter didn't have a signature and I lost the weight approximately 1 month sooner than I needed too)
In April 2019 *** CHANGED requirements. You NOW have to weight up on the exact date agreed upon and you NOW NEED a signed thank you letter. That was never needed before and I have a screen shot at the time of the old requirements.

I cannot use the words *** for weight loss grant but they are ***. I don't think it's right that they change the requirements MONTHS after I submitted my documents. ***

Also, I just found out weight loss grant has stopped "funding" and aren't accepting applicants anymore. Besides that point I want my 80% grant. I deserve it, I put out so much money for a basic, generic diet plan. They won't answer my emails, there's no one to call. The managers answering machine is full. ***. Please help me with my case! I have screen shot proof of the old requirements which was a "thank you letter"
Not a signed "thank you letter"

I was approved for the grant which was 80% of what I spent on the health company they recommended to me which was ***. I paid *** $2400 to help me lose the weight in an eight month time period. I lost more than the weight required before my deadline. After uploading all required documents on time, I called and emailed for 7 months trying to find out when I was going to receive my grant, only to be given the run around. I was told, "We are behind", "Your file has been escalated". When using the message board they would respond with, "Contact the coordinator directly." When I emailed the coordinators directly, I received an automated response saying I had to use the message board on their website. When I tried phoning the coordinators directly, they simply would not get back to me or I would receive an email weeks later promising that they were hoping to look at my file soon. More recently, their voice mailbox was too full to leave a message. My weight out date was November 10th, 2018. I weighed out on Oct 17, 2018. On May 7, 2019 I received an email stating,

"We regret to inform you that your Weight Loss Grant was not approved for the following reason(s):
"Applicant weighed out Oct 17th, 2018. Deadline Nov 10th, 2018. Applicant did not upload signed thank you letter. "
Thank you for applying and we wish you good health in all your endeavors.
Yours truly,
The Weight Loss Grants Organization"
that my grant was rejected because I weighed out on Oct 17, 2018, my "thank you letter was not signed".

My thank you letter was digitally signed and uploaded since it was typed. Regardless if it was signed or not, their rule states (and I have a screen shot of this) that ONCE accepted, a thank you letter must be provided in order to RECEIVE the grant.

Bottom line is, I would never have spent $2400 on a weight loss company without the promise of getting all or most of my money back. Weight Loss Grants Organization has not fulfilled their end of the deal. Period.

In addition, *** has not been able to help me with any of the grant issues. They just tell me to contact WLGO directly.

In August, 2017, I entered into a contract with the Weight Loss Grant Organization, which stated I would receive my grant if I lost 37lbs. The deadline to submit a request for my grant payment was September 29, 2018. On April 15, 2019, I received an email informing me that my grant application had been denied because "The reported weight was exactly the same as the goal weight. That never happens." I'm confused. What exactly does "Goal weight" mean? I was told that, in order to qualify for my grant payment, I needed to lose 37lbs and that is what I did, which was confirmed by a doctor who signed a form making a "solemn declaration, conscientiously believing it to be true and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath." Since I received this decision, no-one will answer my calls or emails to provide further explanation.
When I applied for this grant, I received a letter which stated that "Following receipt and confirmation of your documents, your Grant will be sent to you within 14 days." When I requested my grant on Sept 28, 2018, I was informed that I had until Oct 28th to upload all of my documents. I uploaded ALL of the required documents on Oct 11, 2018. I received confirmation of this submission and was advised by email that I would be notified "within the next fews *** days if any documents are still needed..." This is what followed:
- Nov 30/18 (50 days later): message rec'd on the message board (after I was told by the Help Desk that my file was "in order" and "payment was in progress") requesting I upload a "signed" Thank you letter. NOTE: Nowhere in any of the instructions does it indicate the Thank you letter must be signed. I immediately re-uploaded my letter, signed as requested.
- Feb 4/19: after several failed attempts at connecting with someone other than the "Help Desk" by phone, or through the message board (and being told my file had been "escalated" and that someone would contact me, which they never did) I was finally given an email address to write to. I wrote... waited... wrote again and finally received a call from the Manager who advised me that "the Weight-out Clinic needs consent to release information regarding confirmation of weigh-out". If she hadn't finally contacted me, I would have had no way of knowing this was required. I then had to return to the Doctor's office, in person, and provide written consent for them to fax the form to WLGO directly from their office.
- Feb 12/19: confirmation rec'd on the message board the weigh-out form had been received directly from the doctor's office.
- Mar 22/19: email rec'd - Subject: "Your Grant Has Been Conditionally Approved".
- Apr 2/19: email rec'd requesting the "original weight declaration form from the weigh out sent to us via registered mail". Given that the form was faxed directly from the doctor's office, I contacted the Manager and asked her why they needed the original document sent to them (at my further expense).
- Apr 5/19: email rec'd stating I must send the original weigh-out document by registered mail within 14 days or my file would be closed and my grant application denied. "No extension will be given". I was told that I would be reimbursed the cost of the registered mail, IF my grant was approved. I did as they requested and the document was received by their office on April 10th.
- Apr 15/19 (186 DAYS following submission of all required documents and after having complied with all requests for additional documentation and proof, I was denied the payment I am entitled to and the decision was based on information they had from the very beginning. Why did they need the original document when they already knew that "the reported weight was exactly the same as the goal weight."? And how is this a valid reason for denying payment?