So before I get down to the bulk of my bitch, let me explain my situation a bit: For about 7 years of my life I was a party girl. Had bad problems with drugs and alcohol and never really did anything in my life worth being proud of. However, my irresponsibility was funded entirely by full-time jobs, I never stole from anyone, including government agencies. Fast forward to last year. I found out I was pregnant and immediately decided that I had to change my life and handle the situation I created for myself and figure out a way to better myself and become the parent my child deserves. So regrettably, for the first time in my life, I am collecting a cheque from the government. I'm not proud of that fact and I had hoped to use this support system to ensure that I never have to do it again. So I applied for a college course after researching the employment opportunities, the salaries and benefits, etc, and was accepted. My parents agreed to LOAN me the amount I need for my program so that the repayment schedule can be more flexible for me, and I found a policy online that said you can go to school while on IA in the following situations: 1) You are getting your grade 12 and going to an upgrading program. 2) You are taking training programs to give you the skills you need for the kind of work you want to do. 3) You are attending a post-secondary program that lasts two years or less.

The last two fit my situation, yet I was told that if I go back to school, I am not eligible for IA. I am so furious because I know 3 people who have currently been on assistance for over 10 years, they have no children and are capable, both mentally and physically, of working but they simply choose not to. They find quack doctors, say they have anxiety, and stick their hand out for their cheque. No one has EVER suggested they go back to work or school. Here I am, itching to be back in the workforce and hoping to become a contributing taxpayer within the next 2 years, and want to pay for the schooling MYSELF, but they won't allow me to, because it has to be one of the programs they sponsor through ESS: Office Admin or human services. I don't WANT them to pay for it for me, and I don't want to take any old program just because it is free. So as much as I'm sure I will be ripped to shreds here over being on welfare at all, I will take it on the chin if i can find even just one person to say something that makes me feel my frustrations are valid. Why is this system so beneficial to those who exploit it, but such a barrier to those who try to use it legitimately? —Apparently Just Another Baby Mama