My work has not been giving me very many hours these days and I have a feeling that very soon they will give me even less hours. My pay checks have been quite small and I'm about 3 bills behind now. I think I am allowed to collect welfare even though I'm working,as long as I'm not earning above a certain amount and if I am then the welfare checks are just smaller.

I did just apply for another job,but they haven't called me back yet. I was offered a new job just last week,but I chose not to start b/c I felt it wasn't a legit call center and was afraid they would get raided and I wouldn't be paid and would possibly get into some trouble with that. I just didn't want to risk it. My resume is sitting on a few desks now and hopefully someone will call me for an interview.

I do have a "babysitting" interview this week and they do need me to babysit on Sunday for 5 hours,so that's something extra. This job,if they like me would be occasional and not income that I'd actually count on getting for bills etc...

I'm not to far over my head with overdue bills but soon will be.

I don't think that I would be comfortable doing it if I didn't have children.

I don't think that I would be comfortable doing it if I didn't have children.

What?
Welfare is not just for people who have children.

If you need the financial support and are eligible for it, by all means use it!

I say if you legitimately qualify and you need the assistance, then you should apply. If you feel you need it, then at least look into it.

I don't think that I would be comfortable doing it if I didn't have children.

Seriously? I don't have children to feed and keep a roof over their heads so I don't deserve (is that word you would use) to have the money that welfare could give me? The money I am entitled to? Seriously?

Man,I think I better I'd better go take my shower now and cool off for a bit. :eyesroll

I wouldn't be comfortable with it because without children to take care of, there's no reason that I couldn't work multiple jobs if I had to. I would rather do that than make other people pay my bills.

And maybe welfare works differently in Canada than it does here in the US, but the amount of money that a single, able-bodied adult would get would probably be too small to be worth applying for anyway.

Are there not more jobs available in your area? You said that your work is cutting your hours. Have you applied for other jobs?

Do you have family that could help you out?

See, here you can only get money from the government if you are disabled or are supporting minor children:
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/how/cashfood/cash.htm

The way welfare works here is if I show them that I haven't worked for lets say,2 months then they will take my application and give me money for that month and for the month I wasn't working as well. It's kind of good in that way b/c it helps you get back on top in some cases anyway. I do probably qualify,but not for a full check b/c I am working,but even a $100 a month from them would help a lot! If I get to far behind with the bills I'll have to start choosing between the food and the bills and will have to go back to rationing my food,which is not good the way I've done it :(

I do have a job that started out giving me 25-35 hours a week and now they give me (and most others there) between 10-14 a hours a week! NO notice or anything about that,but I started to look for something else right away. Even if I do start a new job tomorrow I wouldn't be paid for another 2 weeks and would get even more behind on bills and groceries. If I did get hired to start this week,then I'd hold off on the welfare knowing it wouldn't be much longer til I got a bigger pay check and would be fine. Right now,I just don't know when that will happen.

Do you have family that could help you out?

See, here you can only get money from the government if you are disabled or are supporting minor children:
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/how/cashfood/cash.htm

I'm actually estranged from my family and have been for years,they live on the other side of the country from me.

Here in this province anyone can apply. I even applied once 3 days before I started a new job and really needed to pay rent before that first paycheck. They gave me welfare for that month and for the month before,b/c I hadn't been working the month before and they even gave me money after I started to work! I sent the check back and they sent me another one saying I hadn't earned enough on my check so I could to keep getting welfare.

The full welfare check isn't much at all,maybe just over $500 a month,I can't remember. Not enough to live off of for me,but since I'm working and trying to find something else (soon I hope) getting part of that would really help me.

I think it all depends... how badly do you need it? And you aren't planning on using it long term right? So, I say temporarily I would go for it.

Please don't even start to justify your case to anyone. If you qualify and need it, that's what it's for!
I'm saddened at the stigma attached to receiving government financial assistance, and the judgment that exists about who is deserving and who is not (in general, not specifically on MDC).
:rainbow

If I do apply my hope would be to need it for less then 3 months. I was "stuck" on welfare for such a long time when I was first living on my own and I really hate having to go back to it,I get scared of getting sucked into living that lifestyle again. I hope that isn't offensive to anyone on assistance,but for me when I was on it years ago it was a really negative thing and I did feel stuck. So now I try hard not to go back on it and if I do I give myself a personal goal (I guess that's the right word) of getting back on my feet in 3 months or less.

It's a program your taxes support, just like any other. If you need it, and you qualify for it, use it.

I have a really big problem with the attitude that only those who have kids deserve help. That attitude is pandemic in the states, and it sickens me. Everybody has periods where they need help, and social programs are not just for parents.

I don't really know the specifics of either, but since this is due to your hours being cut, would EI be an option?

If you need it and you qualify, apply. Government assistance is supposed to be a social support system for those who need it, parents and not-parents. I'd do that instead of choosing between bills and food, that is just not right.

GL I hope things get better.

It's a program your taxes support, just like any other. If you need it, and you qualify for it, use it.

I have a really big problem with the attitude that only those who have kids deserve help. That attitude is pandemic in the states, and it sickens me. Everybody has periods where they need help, and social programs are not just for parents.

AO said it better than I did, so :yeah:

Please don't even start to justify your case to anyone. If you qualify and need it, that's what it's for!
I'm saddened at the stigma attached to receiving government financial assistance, and the judgment that exists about who is deserving and who is not (in general, not specifically on MDC).
:rainbow

:thumb If you meet the requirements then that is all the justification you need.

It's a program your taxes support, just like any other. If you need it, and you qualify for it, use it.

I have a really big problem with the attitude that only those who have kids deserve help. That attitude is pandemic in the states, and it sickens me. Everybody has periods where they need help, and social programs are not just for parents.

ITA.

Definitely apply. good luck!

I don't really know the specifics of either, but since this is due to your hours being cut, would EI be an option?

In order to qualify for EI, one must work 600 hours in the preceding 12 months. And, then your benefit is 55% of whatever you made as an average. So someone making little with few hours would get a pretty low benefit (if she qualified at all). There is also a 2-week waiting period for EI benefits where you get nothing (it's not that it takes that long to process and then you get it retroactively...you actually just don't get it ever). That means that for the first month, you are lucky to get 25% of what you were earning, which in the case of the OP wasn't very much. Then you get 55% for a short period of time.

I don't know a lot about welfare, but have you looked into using the food bank? It sounds like it is relatively easy to access here in BC, not sure about Ontario. Maybe that would at least help with the grocery situation. However, I agree with others here that if you need more help (eg. in the form of welfare), then definitely look into it.

ETA: Oops, I have no idea where I got the Ontario thing from. I thought your location said Ontario but now I see it just says Canada. So just ignore that part if it's not the case!

Just wondering what kind of education or job experience you have? Might be worth it to look into a college program or some trainings? Call center jobs don't go very far on money.

Sure apply for welfare, and I'd say use the opportunity to get some kind of certificate or diploma (even with student loan is OK). Hopefully you'll be able to get a good job later and get out of poverty.

have you thought of partial unemployment?

yeah, I was gonna ask about food stamps/food pantry kind of ideas if that'd even be enough to hold you over... If not, you would, of course, do what you gotta!!

Not sure where the OP lives in Canada, but we don't have food stamps here, and food banks are only to be used a certain number of times...certainly not enough for sustenance. They give something like 2-3 days worth of food once a month.

Not sure where the OP lives in Canada, but we don't have food stamps here, and food banks are only to be used a certain number of times...certainly not enough for sustenance. They give something like 2-3 days worth of food once a month.

Really? Huh. I've heard it's easy to use the food bank here, and as far as I can see on their website there isn't any limitation like that. This is all it says for requirements for receiving food:

"There are no requirements to access one of the depots except that all recipients must bring a piece of ID for themselves and any immediate family members they are picking up food for."

And then it gives a phone # to call to find out where the closest depot is. I'm sure they have to limit it somewhat... but it might be worth looking into... I'm pretty sure you can get more than 2-3 days of food per month here! Depends where the OP lives though, of course.

There are limits on food banks here. You can only go once or twice a month and get 3 or so days worth of food, but there are lots of food banks, so you can visit them all and get an okay amount of food.

I live in Quebec. :shy We do have food banks here,but no food stamps here. I've never had to use a food bank in this province,but I do know that in BC where I used to live some of them had limits,like you can use them once every 30 days or something like that. I'm actually good for food right now,though I could use some doughnuts,apple pie,ice cream and cheese!!!! lol I'm doing the Pantry Challenge/Meal Planning thing this month and my pantry is pretty decent for right now though I may take $20 this week and add a little to it,but not much from the naughty list of groceries:wink That should get me to the first week of December.

I won't qualify for EI :irked: I was working as a nanny before my call center job and none of my nanny hours count even though I will be claiming them when I do my taxes. I've only worked about 120 or so since I started at the call center.

School isn't really an option for me. I tried to go back so many times and it was so hard for me. I couldn't concentrate and it set me back. The call center does pay well,but they aren't giving anyone enough hours yet they are still hiring more people!

:thumb I did just think of something that I could do! I could apply for welfare and tell them I want to take a French class. If I take it full time they will pay for it. If I spoke French then maybe I could gain the confidence to apply for work in retail or something. They refused to pay for it when I wanted to work full time and take the classes in the evening on a part time basis. :eyesroll

If you NEED assistance, go apply. There is such a negative association with welfare- and that's really sucky. Sometimes things just happen. That's why we have this program. Sure- some people abuse it, but that's true with everything from state/government programs to stores like Target. You need it, honey go get it and don't feel ashamed.

Apply and see if you qualify. If you do, :thumb

At least in Canada the government tries to make sure that everyone can eat, not just those with kids.

You don't have to like history and math to benefit from school. :) I wasn't really suggesting a college degree, more like some training / certificates to do something you might enjoy doing. Like hairdresser, nail tech, maybe cook, or baking program? As far as I know you probably don't need to do term papers or calculus for those. You seem to like animals, maybe a vet assistant? There are lots of options. Just thought if you can eventually land in a job with higher security and satisfaction, you'll be happier overall. You're young and healthy, don't block your own path to a brighter future. My mom went to college at 48. She wasn't exactly bright, but she worked hard and finished the program. She has a very nice secure government job now. :)

That sounds like a good plan! I think French would really open a lot of doors for you in Quebec - this may be a good starting point to a new career!

I wouldn't be comfortable with it because without children to take care of, there's no reason that I couldn't work multiple jobs if I had to. I would rather do that than make other people pay my bills.




I agree

I suggest you apply for whatever gov't programs you might qualify for. If you qualify, take the money (or food stamps or whatever the benefits are) without guilt- by definition, if you qualify then you're deserving of the benefits. If you don't qualify, then you'll manage without it.

by definition, if you qualify then you're deserving of the benefits. If you don't qualify, then you'll manage without it.

:nod

Ruthla always says things so well!

I agree

Did you read that the OP was trying to find a job but needs help now? What does that have to do with having kids? She can't go down to Target and tell them to hire her or she'll rob them.

I live in Quebec. :shy We do have food banks here,but no food stamps here. I've never had to use a food bank in this province,but I do know that in BC where I used to live some of them had limits,like you can use them once every 30 days or something like that. I'm actually good for food right now,though I could use some doughnuts,apple pie,ice cream and cheese!!!! lol I'm doing the Pantry Challenge/Meal Planning thing this month and my pantry is pretty decent for right now though I may take $20 this week and add a little to it,but not much from the naughty list of groceries:wink That should get me to the first week of December.

I won't qualify for EI :irked: I was working as a nanny before my call center job and none of my nanny hours count even though I will be claiming them when I do my taxes. I've only worked about 120 or so since I started at the call center.

School isn't really an option for me. I tried to go back so many times and it was so hard for me. I couldn't concentrate and it set me back. The call center does pay well,but they aren't giving anyone enough hours yet they are still hiring more people!

:thumb I did just think of something that I could do! I could apply for welfare and tell them I want to take a French class. If I take it full time they will pay for it. If I spoke French then maybe I could gain the confidence to apply for work in retail or something. They refused to pay for it when I wanted to work full time and take the classes in the evening on a part time basis. :eyesroll

I feel like I identify with you a little. I'm a Canadian Anglophone and was living in Montreal before I met my husband and moved to the US. The ONLY jobs you can get speaking English only are in call centers. Many, many call centers are scams or just on the border of not being a scam. Or you can sell people credit cards they don't need, medical directories they don't need, business directories they don't need..... There are also the sketchy collection agencies. I finally found a call center (Yves Rocher) that sells make up and would let me in on the night shift with limited French. When bumping from one crappy call center to the next I needed help a lot from food banks. If you do qualify for help, by all means get it! Maybe you can find the the time somewhere to take a course to at least learn enough French to follow a script and gradually learn enough to get a more stable type of job.

Good luck!

Did you read that the OP was trying to find a job but needs help now? What does that have to do with having kids? She can't go down to Target and tell them to hire her or she'll rob them.

That's right! We don't have a Target here that I can rob and I can't afford a mask! :D

I do need to have money soon. I just realized that it's 4 weeks until Christmas (pretty much) and my roommate moves out then. So I'm looking for a new roommate and a new job or just trying to get more hours at my current one.

I check my call center each day (on-line) to see if more hours have become available for me to work. Today I called about a job at customer support center.

Hanno your're right about the scam call centers! There are many of them here. I was offered a job at one that I could have started last week,but it looked sketchy to me and the way they explained what they wanted me to do sounded illigeal or at least a sneaky of way of getting around the law.

I wouldn't be comfortable with it because without children to take care of, there's no reason that I couldn't work multiple jobs if I had to. I would rather do that than make other people pay my bills.

]


And there are plenty of people WITH children who could be working jobs opposite their spouses' schedules or on the weekend or whatever and don't. Or their spouses could work more jobs during the week. So, if you're going to say people have to work a certain amount of hours per family (which *is* essentially what you're saying), you're going to cut a TON of people off from public assistance.

The OP is actively looking for work, but can't find it. She's trying to be pro-active WHILE looking for work, to ensure she doesn't get into such a deep hole that she won't be able to dig out.

I don't know anything about the public services offered in Canada, but I just wanted to give you my support and sympathy. I don't think there is anything wrong with asking for help when you need it, and I think you'd be much better off if you use the resources available than if you got a loan or some other such thing to catch up and get on your feet. When I first started using public aide I felt guilty/ashamed as well, but I think the judgement is malacky. Nobody should have to suffer just because they weren't born with a silver spoon, kwim?

So please don't feel bad about needing help or about getting it. I also say getting further education may well be helpful, only because of course nobody wants to stay in a situation of poverty. Good luck to you!

That's right! We don't have a Target here that I can rob and I can't afford a mask! :D



:rotflmao

Can you move outside Quebec? I would imagine it will be very difficult to get by without decent french. It would take me quite a while to be fluent enough in french to do customer service in french and my french is not bad.

Can you move outside Quebec? I would imagine it will be very difficult to get by without decent french. It would take me quite a while to be fluent enough in french to do customer service in french and my french is not bad.

That was my thought as well. Do you live close to another province that you could get a job in? I realize moving is not always so easy if you're low on funds...

Moving isn't really an option for me. I'd have to get out of the lease which is really hard and costly and pay for a mover and then start all over again with furniture and all that. Rent is also much more expensive in most other provinces. I only pay $500 for a 1 bedroom that's big enough to share so I pay just 1/2 that really for the most part. :joy:

I don't drive or have a car so I wouldn't be able to commute to work if I did get a job in Ontario.

They just did a survey about getting jobs and speaking only English in Montreal(not the province of Quebec,just Montreal) and they found that it's harder for a French speaker to find a job then it is for an English (only) speaker.

Moving isn't really an option for me. I'd have to get out of the lease which is really hard and costly and pay for a mover and then start all over again with furniture and all that. Rent is also much more expensive in most other provinces. I only pay $500 for a 1 bedroom that's big enough to share so I pay just 1/2 that really for the most part. :joy:

I don't drive or have a car so I wouldn't be able to commute to work if I did get a job in Ontario.

They just did a survey about getting jobs and speaking only English in Montreal(not the province of Quebec,just Montreal) and they found that it's harder for a French speaker to find a job then it is for an English (only) speaker.

lol....that's what I paid for a one bedroom as well! In the big white building on Sherbrooke across from Parc LaFontaine :) Kinda yucky, but spacious and cheap.

. Rent is also much more expensive in most other provinces. I only pay $500 for a 1 bedroom that's big enough to share so I pay just 1/2 that really for the most part. :joy:

.

You could always move to Gatineau and bus to Ottawa (province boundary is there with buses that cross for thsoe who don't know which would be most of MDC, lol). Then you could still look for work in a place where you have to speak french to find a job. :twins:
I have 2 university degrees and am basically barred from getting work for lack of fluent bilingualism (I'm in social work so can't work in community centres of hospitals or most other places).

Moving isn't really an option for me. I'd have to get out of the lease which is really hard and costly and pay for a mover and then start all over again with furniture and all that. Rent is also much more expensive in most other provinces. I only pay $500 for a 1 bedroom that's big enough to share so I pay just 1/2 that really for the most part. :joy:.

Cheap rent is great but if you can only get low paying jobs with little chance for advance it may not be a good tradeoff in the long term. Do you know what you want to do with your life? Maybe look at what you want to do longer term and start training for it then when your lease is up.

There are lots of places in Ontario where you can get a 1 bedroom for 500 dollars and have plenty in walking/public transit distance.

Ok,but I can't move. I would have a break down I'm sure. Packing it all up and moving away from the small amount of friends and "security" I have is not an option for me. I know you're trying to help by telling me I should move or go back to school. Either of those things would really set me off emotionally and could cause a huge breakdown. I can't afford that no matter how much or how little money I have. Besides I have $90 in the bank and need money/extra hours starting this week. Thinking about moving and starting all over again gets me into a panic really. I've spent 5 years here not speaking French and have done just fine so far,there have been snags but I always came out of them ok.


So for my immediate goal is to ask for more hours at work,go to a "babysitting" interview tomorrow,search for another job and wait for the people I did apply with to call me back.

Oh no. I wasn't saying you should move. In fact, I imagine a move right now would make things worse.

I just got some decent hours scheduled for next week at work!!!:joy: Let's just hope they don't cancel any of my shifts!!!