CHAPTER 1

Adding to Income

Following separation from my husband in 1986, I found my first fewyears of single parenthood challenging. I had never before been onmy own. When I had married, I went from living with my mother toliving with my husband. After my separation, being able to balance myincome and household expenses was not as easy as I thought it wouldbe. I was either catching up on payments or just breaking even. It wasa frustrating experience.

At the time, I had a full time position as an office clerk. Althoughmy earnings were reasonably good, they took care of little morethan our basic needs, monthly transportation costs, and a credit cardpayment. In June 1988, when time came for vehicle registrationand insurance renewal, for the first time, I didn't have the money.It seemed that every time I tried to save a nest egg for biggerexpenses, something else would gobble it up. In addition, I wantedto register both my children (teenaged boys) for organized sportsthat September.

I realized that I just didn't have sufficient income to take care ofeverything. That summer, in desperation, I looked through the wantads and came upon a job for a part-time telemarketer (no experiencenecessary!). What a break, I thought. It was. But I hated the work.

Two months later, I quit. I then applied for a position of part-timedata entry operator and was hired. The job was boring anddifficult in terms of time management, but worth the effort. Forabout fourteen months, I worked three to five evenings a week. Itwasn't always smooth as I had to race from one job to another. Afterfour hours of data entry, I would hurry home. Once home, I couldrelax, attempt to do a few chores around the house, and catch up withevents in the community based on my sons' narratives.

The idea of slaving away at a two jobs can be frightening. Try notto let this stop you from looking for additional work if the extra moneywill improve your situation. Take a deep breath and understand that ifyou get a second job, you don't have to commit to it forever.

If you think that having additional employment will exhaust you,commit to it for short terms only. You might want to work only oneor two weekends a month. The income will add up over time. Don'tfeel that you have to stay in a low-income situation without havingsome reprieve. If having another job is not going to work for you,there are other ways that you could add to your limited income.

The provincial and federal governments each have a numberof programs and services for fixed or low-income families andindividuals. Some of the benefits you receive could come in theform of a supplement (money paid to you) or a subsidy (a cost thathas been reduced). There are other benefits. Other community-basedproviders might lend support of some kind too. Whether you takethis route will depend on your circumstances, your source of income,and/or how much you earn.

Those who already receive financial assistance or have hadapplications denied in the past might want to do a review. You couldhave overlooked something when you first applied. If you are notfamiliar with this kind of aid, take a look at the brief outline on socialbenefits that follows. You may find some relief for your situation. Youcould keep a note-pad nearby while you read so you can jot downideas or information as you go along.

Subsidies, Supplements, and Other Benefits

Provincial governments offer rental housing supplements, incomesupplements, reduced prescription costs, and subsidized child care.Benefits are generally available to people on a low income, whichcould include anyone on social services, receiving pension income,employment insurance, or a disability allowance. Social Services(known as Welfare or Social Assistance) will also provide an incomefor people with special needs or disabilities. Although they are fairlyconsistent, the rules and regulations, including what is offered, aredifferent in each province. You will need to enquire.

The federal government offers income supplements for low-incomeseniors and for people with disabilities and employmentinsurance. Other federal programs and services include trainingand skills development, labor market information, and relocationallowances, just to name a few. You could also enquire about taxbenefits.

The reference section at the end of this book contains a list ofresources for just about any situation. There you will find contactinformation for programs and services at any level of government (Ihave included Canadian and United States references). I encourageyou to read through it. If you think you need help to make enquiriesor locate additional information, you could ask a friend or familymember to help you or advocate for you (see reference section).

When applying for assistance, always find out if you are allowedto supplement your assistance with additional earnings, and howmuch you are allowed to earn without losing your benefits. Somesocial programs (federal or provincial) allow you to work while youreceive benefits. For instance, you would be able to have limitedearnings from employment while you receive Social Services. If, atsome point, you decide to work towards full-time employment, eachprovince offers a transitional employment allowance to help you withthe transition. Coverage for things such as child care, health care,transportation, and income supplement may be available.

Don't assume that you won't qualify for assistance. Verify theinformation you think you know and don't be afraid to ask questions.Let the government representative know if you are single or if youhave a family. Do you or your dependants (or spouse) have an ailmentor a disability? Is it temporary,...