This Gov. is so backwards

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

Ok heres my rant... so Ive been on mat leave for 3 weeks now due to dr.s orders. I applied for E.I handed in all my important documentation and now have to wait yet another 4-6 weeks before any benefits kick in. Ok I know how E.I works .. there slow. HOWEVER; Im about to have a child, have no income at this point and if I collect any Ontario Works to oh I dont know survive I have to pay all of it back once my E.I comes in.
How is this fair? I still have to pay rent, insurance, basic living needs such as a phone oh and I might want to eat too. So either I am completely broke now or when the baby comes???

I guess I should have not worked and just been on welfare from the begining because they told me they would have given me extra money for things such as a crib, car seat, stroller and baby clothes. How does this make sense?

[Sophie's_Mommy]

hubbys a long time ago had to go on OW while he waited for EI, was told he d have to pay it back and never ended up having to pay them back.

[Babzz]

really? He did not have to pay them back?

I was told I will have to pay them back when my court issues are dealt with. I had a education plan for my son and its in the courts because my x wants half of it.. How is that for character.. lol

opps.. was that an x bash?? I suppose it was

[DemonBaby666]

When I went on my maternity leave, I waited almost 2 months before I got anything back. My bf was out of work and I certainly wasn't bringing in any money. Couldn't pay bills and barely afforded rent. I ended up getting my first E.I deposit when my daughter was born. I had no money whatsoever, but I just had to suck it up. So I know how you must feel Sweet and Innocent. It's pretty much lose lose with the government. /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

yea its very frusterating

[Gwanita]

the government is not backwards at all that is how it works. You are not able to get special treatment just because you are pregnant and are on maternity leave due to doctors orders. There are lots of people that go with out daily that need ot way more then you do. mayb e a better planning would have assisted you in your situation then you could have put momey asde for the baby you have on the way...or then again you maybe should have thought about all this before having any kids.
I definatley understand your complaint but if you haven't figured it out yet that this is the way of the world then I really don't know what to tell you, hut good luck..

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

Wow arent you judgemental without knowing my entire situation. Another person who likes to run there mouth before thinking.
Never once was I looking for special treatment because I was pregnant and my hours were cut back at work after I graudated from college ( yes I am educated) so I wasent able to save up.

[Gwanita]

not judging you just saying the government is not backwards that is how they work.....get over it regardless ofr your situation.....

[Gwanita]

sorry you bought into the higher eduaction idea because that still will not make the government work better for the working poor. society must maintain the inequality to assure motivation...
btw i made no stab at your eduaction level sorry if you felt attacked in that department although i do not se how it would have been possible. someones touchy

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

I think the statement of "or then again you maybe should have thought about all this before having any kids." was judgemental and uncalled for. But then again what can I expect right? Just move along b/c ur opinions and comments arnt needed at this time. I was simply stating that its frusterating and maybe I should have just been on the system to begin with instead of contributing to society. Have a nice Day Gwanita

[Gwanita]

well what you can expect is nothing from th egovernment for 4-6 weeks....as for what to expect fromme? nothing...you will be let down.....my opinions on this board are are just that. my opinons. and i am entitled to them even without questons as again i will gently remind you this is a public board.
and that comment was no judgemnt it was cleary another way of looking at your situation...like a possibility.
Now if you were onj OW and not contributing to society WOW you woudl get tore up on here...so be greatful thats not the case and be happy your on;y pregnant waiting on income to actually arrive....i will say again there are many ppl whp need more and go without.

[Jackie B]

Holy crap, get over yourself. REGARDLESS of whether or not this is how the gov works, it's backwards. Welfare is supposed to be there to give people a little hand when they get in a jam, not career welfarians. They're only willing to help people who are sponging, living off the system for long periods of time? What is THAT?!?! If that's how it works, IT'S BACKWARDS.

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

so your saying that not being able to meet my basic needs such as food , shelter and much needed things for my child is not a need and that b/c I am waiting for E.I. other ppl need this more then me? Whos not making sense now...

[Gwanita]

your definintion of backwards and mine are obviously 2 very different things. backwards would be the total opposite of how government functions.....i don't see that happening. i agree it isn't an equal system and i do now what OW does I know what all these systems are here for. and for your comment about me gettng over myself?? arn't we talking about a pregnant woman without money and how government is backwards? don't put this on me..i ain't the one

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

so now I have to get over myself b/c im pregnant and frusterated?

[Gwanita]

that is what i am saying. Do you knwo how many starving children there are? how many homeless families in need. and im talking about here in ssmarie. Get over yourself...wheres the babies daddy?

[Jackie B]

it's backwards according to the original purpose of welfare

[SusyQ]

Susy SHUTUP!

[Gwanita]

wanna talk politics or pregancy?? i told you i feel you its not an equaly system by any means....but because of this YOU need to vetter prepare for these kinda of things...i say you now because this is directed at you but really it is something everyone needs to do.

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

I am fully aware of the need in SSM , infact ive worked with these children as I am a Child and Youth Worker... and if you can get teh babies daddy to take care of his child then ur doing better then the GOVERNMENT!

[b&aMom]

S&I, check into this further. Talk to someone at Ontario Works. Find out HOW MUCH they would claw back from the EI Mat. benefits, find out how much per cheque. They may not claw it all back, they may not claw all of it back at once. I don't know the answers to this, but the more info you have, the better you can plan. Can you do anything else in the meantime? Like babysit an older child/childen for a bit to help make ends meet? Or sit with elderly as respite for their caregivers?

I know it sucks to be in this situation, we had to go to welfare in another province while waiting for DH's UI to kick in when he was going through his apprenticeship training in school. And his apprentice wages did not allow a family of three to save for that waiting period. Good luck to ya'.

[bella]

LOL it is so true. I work in the same field and most children are without fathers in this city.

[Gwanita]

well then seeing how you are eduacted at the college level and in that particular field you would then know about how the system functions...oh wait they don't actually teach you the theory behind it and bring out the inequality until univeristy....again i told you i understand you i am also eduacted within ths area and more...you being a cyw didn't you learn to adapt and be versitile? not everything goes as planned? haha jus kidding...hut really its how things work what are you gonna do.....

[bella]

I am on your side sweet_and_innocent.

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

Thanks Bmom... I was thinking about calling them again soon. The last time that I talked to an intake sorker she informed me that they E.I will automatically pay OW back and that its big payments but ill inquire again

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

well if ur educated and in this field and "know more" then me ... I guess they forgot to teach and instill EMPATHY eh Gwanita...

[Gwanita]

im curious how you can afford to be online (internet/phone bills) yet complain you do not have food for the baby? someone needs to prioritize...IMO

[bella]

umm its called family networks..... ppl have them!

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

Now were attacking??? I bet ppl love ur education and work ethics in your field eh? I have cut out unnessasary costs... dont have cable happen to have prepaid my internet BEFORE going on mat leave.

[Gwanita]

i didn't say known more than you but eduacted more than you. yes...i said more in this department that what they provided you with in the CYW program. as for empathy ... got it...and i know what you are going thorugh if you missed when i said i feel ya...thats empathetic and i been in your shoes and still hustle today to get my needs met...i have 2 children to look after and no baies daddy...so what.....don'[t judge me and what i know...im only trying to say i know it sucks but what the hell are you as a mother going to do to get her needs met? you have a choice.....instead of *****i about it do something about it.....you cannot always point the finger the government didn'[t get you pregnant.....thats reality....reality is not always empatheic

[Gwanita]

is interent more important than a babies needs? when i was saying to better prepare for your current situation maybe the money that went to internet would have been better used in a savings for the baby. i dunno but to me that would make way more sense......a computer and soonet do not feed/cloth clidren.

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

you have more education yet still need to "hustle" in life... wow glad im doing better then you... enough said..

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

You obviously cant read can you? Now your stating that I dont have the ability to care for my children because I prepaid my bills... Get a life...

[Gwanita]

well apparently you aren't....and everyday is a hustle when your a single mother...at leats i am out there doing what i need and not pointing the finger at others and why they are not suppo9rting you ..... i get mine on my own and never go without......and in that program you took didn't they teach you that you are no better than the next? so get over it

[bella]

she has everything for her baby! she need a few bucks to get through until her EI kicks in. So i don't think you really know what your talking about.

[Gwanita]

blah blah blah....waaaaaaa the governemnet isn't dong this unemployment isn't sending me money fast enough...im pregnant....make a choice and do what you gotta do......thats all you got in life and the only one you can blame..

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

Where did I ever say that I would not do what I need to do to take care of my responsibilites? And Im not pointing a finger at ppl not supporting me... I worked my a$$ off and paid into E.I. The more you post the more of an idiot you look

[Evangeline]

yeah I'm sure that money for her net bill would have made a HUGE difference on her financial situation lol.

[Gwanita]

only need a few dollars???? then why is she all cncerned about how much money she will have to pay back and all this stress....a few dollars is easy to obtain.....like i said earlier make a choice.......the government dun give a rats azz about a few dollars

[Gwanita]

yes it woulda of if she only needs a few bucks.....

[bella]

LOL

[Evangeline]

I think that was an underestimate.

[Gwanita]

you all are so supportive on here how about everyone chip in and help the hell out ...... hmmmm theres an idea.....

[Evangeline]

Did your employer not give you maternity leave?
Or did you quit?

I didn't think you got EI when on mat leave.

[Gwanita]

personally i haven't had to collect EI but my partner did and it was a while before he seen any money. I havce had to rely on OW when i wasn't getting any support and didn't have an incme at the time and had to go through all the paying back BS....i told you i know about it, i can relate and i know it isn't fair. just because i say that it how these systems workl doesn't make me a terrible person because that is how they worl. to say to someone well what are you going to do because complaining about it doesn't get anything done isn't wrong either because again that is something she needs to do. What do you want me to do cry with everyone else and continue this b*itchfest about government and IE or is someone finally going to say do something about your situatio to help you prepare for your child....that is the concern is it not? at the end of the day that is what ths topoc boils down to.

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

No I didnt quit I was giving maternity leave..
And how is anything that you have said in this thread helped me "prepare" for my child??? At this point there is no option for me but to wait. I never said that I couldnt take care of my child I said in the meantime.... this sucks b/c i have to go without any income while waiting for my benefits that I PAID into and will be having a difficult time paying rent etc UNTILL they come in. What would you like me to do Gwatnita? Go back to work for 2 weeks and then prolong my mat leave application even longer? You make no sense at all... this would be a vaild concern, frusteration and compliant from anyone. You seem to have all the answers to this issue so why dont you enlighten me on how I can fix this problem of having to wait on the government to provide me with the benefits that I have earned that will support me and my child so that I can sufficently raise my child and take care of my responsibilites without having to rely on anyone else untill I resume working?

[KelBear]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did your employer not give you maternity leave?
Or did you quit?

I didn't think you got EI when on mat leave. </div></div>

The employer gives you mat leave, which is just a "Leave" no financial support, that, you get from EI. They have different types of EI for example : sick leave benefits, maternity leave benefits, and regular benefits. This is what S&I is talking about. I know they say that it will take 4-6 weeks but if it is a straight forward case it won't take that long.

[1337]

When my wife and I were having are baby, we went to the Canada building and gave them all the information 3 weeks before she was actually going on maternity leave.

The day my wife left work for mat leave, she was giving her ROE and we brought it right down to the Canada building, that following teusday she was receiving her first EI payment.

If you go on assistance, like Ontario Works, yes they give you money, and no you don't have to pay it back in a sense. What you get from Welfare is deducted from your EI claim.

Which you really don't MISS any money. You just get it sooner.

[KelBear]

that is right JumbaMya.. it's not like your losing any money.. they are just giving you a "loan" till EI is final. Just be frugal with the money you get with OW.

[EyelashExtensions]

I would think some if not most people would have saved money for this situation. With the possibility of being out of work for a period of time and knowing for months that you were pregnant you would have been prepared. Its tough and things can be tight. You have to do what you have to do. I can see where Gwanita is coming from to a point. The system isn't fair but thats the way its set up and it sucks. Its very unfortunate they don't have more programs to help working parents, such as dental, baby goods etc...

[chase_me]

MY DH went on a sick leave from work on the 27th of June and a decision will be made on his claim and we will start receiving money if approved next tuesday. Did they tell you why it is going ot be so much longer?

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

Nope they didnt give me any reason, infact they told me that it will be 3-4 weeks before they even look at my ROE

[chase_me]

On your My EI there should be a date they will have your claim completed by and it is very accurate sorry you are going through so much at this time, my DH has not even brought in his ROE yet but he spoke to them and they told him that they look at the claim and all that stuff and just need the ROE to verify he is still working etc just on leave.

[JerDawg]

I get where you are coming from sweet- I went off work on June 1st because of Dr's orders and didnt receive a dime until July 5th. Its hard that they expect you to live for a month with no income whatsoever, and of course, they take their sweet a$$ time going over your application and coming to a decision. Luckily i had some money saved up to get me thru that month otherwise i would have been screwed. I can see how just finishing college you wouldnt have really had the chance to save any money, ive been working for almost a year so i was lucky enough to have that opportunity. Hopefully they process your application quickly and get you some funds asap. Take care and let me know if theres anything i can do for you.

[JerDawg]

oh and also someone mentioned giving their information in a few weeks prior to get the ball rolling sooner, they dont do that anymore. You cant fill out your application until your last day worked.

[1337]

The only problem we had with them, well not really a problem, just cheap. Was that my wife got her cheque every 2 weeks, there was 1 month she was supposed to receive 3 cheques, because the pay day landed 3 times that month. They cancelled her payments and resume them the second week and said they made an error. so she only got the 2 lol

[Sweet_And_Innocent]

Thanks everyone who have Pm'd me or have tried to lend their support instead of those who have been rude! Its very much appreciated expecially in this stressful time

[KelBear]

np... we aren't all cold and heartless