social assistance

[canloverdream]

We landed in August and have since spent all the money we landed with.We had to pay for rental apartment for a year and that had reduced the funds we came with. My husband has been looking for a job either in his field or survival jobs but nothing so far. We have used up all our money and we have two young children. We have thought about applying for ontario works or welfare but dont know how this will affect us in future if we decide to sponsor family member to immigrate to canada. What if we are on welfare till we find a job then get of it will it still be counted against us?

 

[Pippin]

I am so sorry to hear of the tough times you and your family already face in Canada. I am also shocked that payment for one year's rent in advance is required! Sadly, your example emphasizes the reason for owning (not borrowing)ALL required POF. I did a google for "Ontario immigrant services" and came up with a long list of options. Chose Settlement.org and looked in it. There are many links to follow and you may find some help there. I just attached one option, but do look through the whole site. http://www.settlement.org/sys/library_detail.asp?doc_id=1004276
I don't know the possible effects of taking assistance on future sponsorship, but would think once you were employed and financially independent it should not count against you. I know child care is very expensive, but are both you and your spouse looking for jobs? The first one who is successful could start working while the other one maintained the home front and kept looking, just a suggestion. I wish you every success.

 

[BobbyB]

We landed in August and have since spent all the money we landed with.We had to pay for rental apartment for a year and that had reduced the funds we came with. My husband has been looking for a job either in his field or survival jobs but nothing so far. We have used up all our money and we have two young children. We have thought about applying for ontario works or welfare but dont know how this will affect us in future if we decide to sponsor family member to immigrate to canada. What if we are on welfare till we find a job then get of it will it still be counted against us?

Sorry to hear about your situation and dilemma, but to be honest what other choice do you have but to apply for the benefits. Don't be ashamed of doing it. Go for it to survive - That is why it is there, - to help people in need. You have to apply for it, fill in all necessary forms after which they will reach a decision whether you are eligible for it or not. I guess you have to survive first before you are going to be able to sponsor anybody in the future. The only advise I will give you is not to get used to it but strive hard to get off it ASAP.

Best of Luck.

 

[Derry]

@Canloverdream

Dear, it's indeed a soulful situation that u guys r facing. But, r u sure u r unable to find even starter jobs? Besides placement agencies like Adecco, Randstad - even my local Tim Hortons, CarCare Store, Bricks etc. all have placards posted 'on store' for "help wanted". Aren't the ones near u have them?

Though they'd sure be the minimum wages tasks yet something is available -- & I happened to see the Tim Hortons vacancy poster today too.

Here's the link for Financial Assistance:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/help/financial_Assistance.aspx

And here's how to apply for Ontario Works:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/apply.aspx

 

[canloverdream]

@ Derry,
Believe me when i say that we are seriously hunting jobs. Anything we could get our hands would be heaven sent. We have registered with most employment agencies n call them frequently to ask for any openings but nothing so far.even warehouse or anything just to bring in a few dollars, but i dont want to get disheartened, nobody said it would be a walk in the park so i will wait for God to do something for us.

 

[explorer101]

@ Derry,
Believe me when i say that we are seriously hunting jobs. Anything we could get our hands would be heaven sent. We have registered with most employment agencies n call them frequently to ask for any openings but nothing so far.even warehouse or anything just to bring in a few dollars, but i dont want to get disheartened, nobody said it would be a walk in the park so i will wait for God to do something for us.

sent you pm, please respond

 

[jnathan]

Please dont apply for social assistance. you know the reason why.
Ask for money from all your relatives back at home to be sent to Canada.
You will get a job, network with your relatives, friends in Canada.

Which country youre from? How much money you brought to Canada?

 

[canloverdream]

@jnathan
we dont have anyone in canada, not a single soul.We are doing our best getting to know people here werever we go and getting as much information as posible. I dont know the reason not to apply for social assistance that is why i post this to get more info.

 

[canloverdream]

@explorer
replied pls check.

 

[jnathan]

canloverdream,

ask anyone in your home country to lend you $$$$ for 1-2 months.
Sell any land or any asset there and bring that money in Canada.

I am telling you, social assistance is something availing which will make you remorse with no way back at that time.

Which country are you from and how much money did you bring when you landed?

 

[attituderockz]

Dear canloverdream,

There is nothing to feel sorry. u can claim the social assistance if u r really run out of money..also apply for the child benefits.

REgardign the regular jobs ,its a bit difficult to find ...but there is one agency near mccowan and nuggetavenue intersection..Its run by an indian..I went their and enquired myself..they said they had lot of warehouse jobs..

or search for IRONHORSE SECURIY on net..they give training and then get started jobs ( security officer jobs) ..SO i think u should try there to get something..if not go for social assistance...

if u take social assistance, it takes away ur respect and of course it hurts when u plan to get ur parents later..i have read that if u r getting social assistance you can not sponsor anyone..

so keep the social assistance option at the last..

as for me ..i raomed all places of toronto for a job and started to work in saome basic jobs for 3-4 days ..i got few 100 dollars wihtin the first week of landing.

then i quit that basic job and wiht this money applied for my creditials evaluation ..it took another 100 dollars..and the remaining money i just used for the expenses for month..I took a monthly TTC pass and roamed all possible places in toronto...this way u will start undertanding the town..( this is very imp..) there is no use sitting at house and browsing jobs...u will get fed up with that and in 24 hours u can apply to almost all jobs possibely.)


so roam here and there and u will get lot of ideas..And dont forget to use all possible contacts...I tell u even relatives will shy sway from helping u ...so just get their ideas and do things on ur own..

Try the settlement agency , Acces employment and Cathorlic crosscultuaral...they both are good.dont go anywhere else..

i come fro banking..they even have a bridging program/..( i didnt attend it bcos i got a job already)..but these are options.

keep appllying for all possible jobs in your own field...and chaces we get a manager job is very low..so apply for basic jobs..

i applied for cusotmer service and bank teller jobs even though i was manager india..

once u do all these u will start getting interviews...and go for interviews and give it a full try..

i could not beleive u saying there are no jobs...i think you are not just trying hard.


all these companies are recuriting ppl now heavily..LOWES, FUTURESHOP, HOMEDEPOT, Iam sure u will get a jon if u apply because now is the seasonal recruitment for all these...
dont save money on food.

even though i didnt had jobs i had good food and kept myself healthy and fresh..this is very imp in building confidence..

and if u do all theses i think ur probabality of finding a job is very high in canada

CANADA IS A NOT A EASY PLACE TO GET A JOB BUT TAKE SOME STRAINS TO START WITH BASIC JOBS AND GO UP THE LADDER.
if u want to retain what u did in india iam afraid u may never get even a single interview..


and again the most imp thing here is ur resume..get it written by the agencies i menitoned above.. here all resumes are computer scannable..so if u dont have a canadian standard resume there is no chance of interview...getting an interview here is tough ,but iam sure any skilled worker from india can easily crack the interview...

so these are my observations and suggestions....and what i did..godd grace is important..and of course try hard..

fortune favours only the brave...

 

[canloverdream]

@ attituderockz

Thank you all so much for your advice. We are in mississauga and well, if your not in someones position its easy to assume that the person has not done all they can. My husband came from the banking sector also after working there for nearl 20 years. I also have a uni degree in Literature we gave up a stable middle class life not to come here with the aim of livimg off the state but to build productive lives. We have put in 200% and still putting in all to make it work. we paid 1 yr rent 14,800 thinking we would be able to get even survival job to get by.
My husband has been accepted on a bridging programme(got the call today)after we thought all hope was lost. We had to get his credential accreditised to meet canadian standard $300, after funds had dwindled he learned that he needed the canadian securities course inorder to get a financial sector work which is $1000 plus. The house agent took advantage bc we were new nd didnt know our rights if we didnt pay for a year we would not be in this position.

 

[canloverdream]

My husband has since paid for a security sevice course and passed the exam his licence to work as a security personnel will take 3 weeks but to survive till then.

 

[ravs]

Hi Canlover dream ...

I dont want to be sorry ... bcos this will discourage you.

Instead lets find ways to come out of this deep *censored word*.

My advice to you would be not to go on social assistance becuase that hampers your ability to call your parents .... so dont exhaust this resource.

Apply for child benefits ...thats a legal source and everybody here with kids apply for that ..

I have PM'd you few contacts ....

My husband has since paid for a security sevice course and passed the exam his licence to work as a security personnel will take 3 weeks but to survive till then.

 

[Leon]

It is against the law in Ontario to ask you to pay rent for a year up front. The most they can ask for is first and last months rent but many landlords abuse fresh PR's because they know they come with funds and that they don't know the law. Talk to the tenants board at http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/About_Us/STEL02_111278.html and ask them what you can do to get the money back from the landlord.

There is no problem with going on social assistance if you need it. Once you have jobs, you will pay your taxes and that will go towards paying back into the system. If you want to sponsor family members later, being on social assistance in the past will not be held against you. You just can not be on social assistance any more at the time you are trying to sponsor someone.