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I would never have imagined that I would one day need social assistance. With my work ethic, education and references, it wasn’t remotely on my radar. And yet adsum ego sum. It was a great shock to me, following a serious fall. My former employers and co-workers were some of the best people with whom (and for whom) I have had the pleasure of working, and I miss them.
We’re taught that people in receipt of social assistance are malingerers, that their own poor decisions are responsible for their present state. We look down on them, make assumptions, buy into the stereotypes. What we’re not taught is that many in receipt of social assistance contribute to the social capital of society when and as they can, how easily it can happen to anyone—and that we are, in fact, our brother’s keeper.
The majority of welfare recipients often live 30 to 51 percent below the poverty line and have found themselves dependent upon the system due to circumstances beyond their control. They are disabled such that their ability to work is affected (if memory serves, the federal government pegged the number at around 70 percent)—though most do indeed want to work, to have a career, social inclusion; to cease being invisible.
I am grateful that our social assistance system was there to catch me when I fell, but there is nevertheless much that could be improved upon. There are two main issues with regard to the social assistance system that require attention: an attitudinal issue, and inadequate supports. There is often a lack of respect accorded to clients by caseworkers (though, to be fair, the reverse can also be true), along with arbitrary, inflexible rules and a lack of support to assist clients in leaving the system (for those who are able). Promises which were made have not been kept. Instead, things have been getting worse, and people have even been driven to the brink of suicide.
The attitude issue is a difficult one to solve, and has its roots partly in the present austerity climate resulting in stressed, overworked caseworkers, who barely have time to complete their mandated duties, never mind aught else.
These two issues could be resolved by reducing the administrative burden on caseworkers, who often spend 75 percent of their time effectively acting as gatekeepers, rather than, as I am sure many would prefer, building trusting relationships with their clients. Both could be addressed by such relative cost-neutral means as: ceasing the practice of second-guessing client’s physician’s requests and diagnoses; more courses funded without deductions from recipients’ cheques; an increase in shelter allowances to more accurately reflect the average reality of housing; and allowing individuals to keep more of the occasional funds which they might receive from time to time. (The system claws back any outside funds over $150 a month.)
I’m very fortunate in that I have been able to carve out for myself a niche of service, as my recalcitrant body permits, in volunteer work. I am grateful for the assistance that I receive, but make no mistake: there is more to the story than that which we have been taught—as I have found.
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This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2015.
Interesting article.
The reason why sometimes you see caseworkers acting as gate keepers rather than building trusting relationships is because it’s hard to trust these days. There are lots of people out there taking advantage of the system.
I’ll give you an example. In a previous job, I had a colleague who used a barrier-free tag and the associated spot at work. His claim is he can’t walk for long or far distances so needed to park close to the door.
We had no problem with that, except we offered him a floor assistant position for higher pay. He accepted the floor assistant position. What that position required him do is stand on his feet and walk around providing assistance to other employees for an 8 hour shift.
That’s an example of a person taking advantage of the system. We gave him a month to come forward and be honest that there’s nothing wrong with him but he didn’t. So we brought it up and asked if he is able to do this position without any problems, how does he require the barrier-free tag. He actually quit the following day and we never hear from him.
I’m sure gatekeepers are needed.
That being said, not everyone is like that. There are plenty of honest people out there who genuinely need this assistance. So please keep it for them.
Also, as I recall the federal government changed EI rules and started cracking down on recipients due to the amounts being received in NS.
The attitude issue has been a BIG issue since way back in the 80s when I was on social assistance as a single mum. Since that time, I have gone on to become an advocate for people on social assistance and I have heard some incredibly judgemental and awful things said to poor people. I have seen and experienced some terrible actions being made against someone as a form of punishment. I live in a small populated area where everyone knows everyone and I see social assistance being used as a weapon of control against recipients.
Not to paint all with this brush as I have seen Caseworkers try their best to help a recipient but is prevented from doing this because of inflexible policies.
Guaranteed Annual Income is the only way to go; that way we won’t have this stigma and the living in poverty for people who’ve had a tough go in life.
if you want to know what it really is like to be on disability PM me and I will turn you onto a close friend of mine, then you can write an award winning articule he was once a master carpenter now he is in a wheelchair
A friend of privileged background, but alienated from her parents convocated at the same time as me, worked briefly at a job obtained for her by her father. She then went on welfare unable to find a job…..perpetually. The night before her annual review she would stay up all night smoking madly, then storm into her caseworker’s office crying and ranting. The worker would extend her benefits for another year, whereupon she would go home, have a good sleep and resume her life of bitterly criticizing the government for her miserly benefits (2 room condo) and why shouldn’t she receive enough money to take a proper vacation etc. Etc. Etc.