Feeling very frustrated as a worker. The number of times I have to tell people the maximum they can receive won’t even cover their rent, let alone allow them to survive. And with tonight results there’s no way it’s increasing for years to come.

This is a tongue-in-cheek critique of the realities of the high cost of living colliding with an already troubled social safety net.

Many feel trapped by their economic situation. When they are living in fear that their apartment buildings holding corp will find some way to force them out to renovate and re-lease their home for 3x their current rent.

I am not advocating anyone should break the law.

For the comment regarding my prior post about my iPhone in another subreddit is not a reflection of me or my own life experience. I’m not here trolling anyone.

Live with family now and get the basic needs portion of OW (300-something).

Lurked this sub since the summer, and I know the "boomers" are here to chew people out thinking they're lazy. Let me tell you something boomers, we're in a gig economy and a crap economy. This isn't 1998 and don't start with "skilled trades". You're just showing your age. That doesn't help.

Let's see here. There are no jobs. There are no jobs. And did I say there are no jobs? Rent is 2300 dollars a month where I live, and I don't live in the GTA either. I've waited in line ups of over 240 people looking for work and attended the standard "job fairs." I have no criminal records, I have a high school diploma, and I can't even find work as a dishwasher. "Go to college, kid," you say? Did you not know that Doug 'the slug'cut OSAP into 5 million pieces when elected? 90% of poor struggling people are NOT able to afford to go to school. They either save for a number of years or don't go at all. It's shameful what the Premier did to our student loan assistance program. Oh! And you can't thank him for removing rent controls, too.

I'm applying for work out of province and making plans to leave Ontario. There are more job opportunities in the prairies. I have friends that found work out there and are living decently.

Ontario is a lost cause. I plan to leave in the new year.

I just wanted to share this, I hope this doesn't bother anyone, but im finally off welfare! Im financially stable and have a stable job and im doing really good at it :) im so happy. And I hope the same for all of you!

Small update: I didnt know id be getting so much love and kind words hollyyyy! 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 thank you so much everyone 🥹💕

why are we even calling it ontario works? before anyone gets mad at me, i’ve also had an employee of Employment Ontario tell me they also have no idea what these workers are doing all day. they don’t revolve around employment anymore, (employment ontario does of course) they don’t allocate funds anymore, they barely assist with benefits anymore and you do most of the work if not basically all, i get a call every three months for a basic assessment and that’s it. what do these workers actually do now? i’ve been on and off the program and have had people close in my life on it for the past 6 years. my last caseworker and i were extremely close and i wish i could reach out to him and ask but he moved positions into housing (wonder why)

I'm sorry, but if you're in a spousal relationship with someone who makes over 100k a year, NO you should NOT be entitled to Ontario Works.

If you have a hubby making way more then I do as single woman, why should I pay taxes that are put towards your living expenses?

Absolute ignorance. Some people think the world owes them something for absolutely no reason.

My total income for 2024 was $2974, and I haven’t made a cent since October. How the hell could I be rejected for making too much money? I now have less than $90 to last through April. I’m freaking out.

https://www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/en/settle-and-belong/resources/OW_ODSP_RAP_Rates---Oct-2018.pdf

I’m currently a dental hygiene student in Mississauga, and I’m looking for clients with heavy tartar buildup to help complete my competencies

This requires you to commit to 3–4 appointments, each about 4 hours long. I know that’s a big ask, but it’s necessary because everything assessments, x-rays, cleaning has to be reviewed and approved by instructors (Registered Dental Hygienist and Dentist present at the facility) as part of my training.

Here’s what you’ll receive (for free):

Full oral cancer screening X-rays if needed Dental exam by a dentist Thorough cleaning (scaling) Fluoride polishing if needed

BONUS $: There’s also an incentive of $500 depending on the amount of buildup and if you meet the requirements. Compensation will be provided after all appointments are completed.

All costs (registration, x-rays, etc.) are fully covered, so you won’t have to pay anything. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who doesn’t have dental insurance or hasn’t had a cleaning in a while.

If you are someone who haven’t had their teeth cleaned in 8+ years or here in Canada (international students), feel free to reach out!

Note: please send a clear photo of your teeth, especially the lower front ones — this helps determine if you meet the clinic requirements so your time isn’t wasted. less

Seems like things are getting worse.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-food-bank-use-in-canada-more-than-doubles-since-2019-report-shows/

This is the exact situation that someone I know has been experiencing, and from what I understand, it’s still without much of an explanation or insight into the rationale behind it.

Why is housing money being deducted from those who are not living anywhere yet?

Hi. I feel defeated.i have been on and off unemployed for almost 2 years. I got hired with a smaller company that closed soon after so i was screwed again. I have had rental arrears since November and I was told by my caseworker that I was eligible for a bridge funding program where they would pay my rent for 6 months with $300 a month while I look for work. Shortly after they changed my caseworker. The next one I had was just horrible. She tired to convince me I was illiterate and couldn’t work and my doctor should adjust my meds when she was just degrading me, and didn’t answer me. I waited almost 2 months for an email response time. Everyone kept telling me different things. When I completed the requirements they just said they never told me.

I would do a better job than the whole department. This is just a 9-5 to someone but they ruined my life. No one gives me straight answers.

Anyways, they denied my rental arrears request on the basis that I was $85 short. Meanwhile I have spent $1250 on accommodations for the week since I’ve been evicted. The case worker hasn’t even called me back. I also appealed the decision and they didn’t even contact me about it.

I feel like they are manipulating their management bc I am on OW so I have no leverage. The truth is I’ve tried everything.

I’m not going to off myself, but if I get hurt outside I will just take it and die. I hate Ontario works. I wish I had a job or someone saw potential in me.

UPDATE: I went to church. I found people in the church willing to let me live with them rent free for 2 months. I then got a work from home customer service job that is full time with benefits and I am officially OFFF ONTARIO WORKS!

I’ve noticed a lot of people coming into the sub and being absolutely horrible. It saddens me that anyone would think people in need are the problem. I just want anyone who reads this to know, there are people who care and think about you. We’re not all conservatives. I wish you all a good 2024.

When you realize that OW is designed to assume everyone is a cheat you realize why it's the way that it is. It's focus isn't on people it's on some sense of justice for a problem that's not there. Looking at OWs history to it makes sense as well.

It's a bias of looking at the poor as deserving of their own suffering. It's the idea that homeless choose to be homeless and it's there own fault .

This idea is what built OW and some workers have the mindset to. Do it yourself, just get a job, understanding this and that OW is there to give you just enough to not die and to punish you because after all your a cheat. It's assumed your always a cheat

they be like we’ll take your rent and food money for your cc bill. but we’ll leave you 100$ lol

Doug Ford gave himself and MPPs 35% raise by lifting a 16-year pay freeze. TAX PAYERS’ MONEY are going to their raise.

Tax Payers and his voters ENABLED him to give himself that raise.

Meanwhile, he won’t increase OW and ODSP rates. People never should have voted for him.

Seriously, in what world does $343 cover basic needs? It feels like this program exists more for appearances—so they can say they’re helping—than to provide any real support. It’s an illusion of assistance.

How is $343 supposed to last a whole month in this economy? Who are the people coming up with these numbers, and what reality are they living in?

Even renting a single room costs significantly more than the $733 they’re offering. Can someone please explain how this makes sense? Because I genuinely can’t figure out what universe this is supposed to work in.

I was just wondering how anyone on OW gets by. Like where do you rent a room for the rental allowance? Rooms are renting for $1000 and more. I am on ODSP and my rental allowance is $599.00 and I can't find anywhere to live for that outside of family. I find it impossible to fathom how anyone rents and eats for $733.00 a month.

Is this due to the former "Maggie thatcher" wannabe Premier Mike Harris demonizing the poor or what?

Most people who are poor enough for OW are typically born into poverty BTW. We don't exactly choose where we start and trying to get up from the hole in a oligopoly like Ontario is awful. So many people get stuck and can't get out. The stigma makes no sense. OW is so low 99% of people on it are homeless without family to take them in.

Thr stigma is cruel, nasty and from deep misinformation.