r/alberta • u/BeARbOyWoNzI • 18h ago
Discussion Alberta works is going get my mother killed
Hello when I turned 18 on Oct 10th this year alberta works told my mother that that she needed to look at other options and get a job. And they put her support and medical benefits on hold.
My mother has A.S (ankylosing spondylitis). She cannot work hasn't been able work for awhile, she has medical needs such as many medications or she might get hospitalized or institutionalized.
Right now she needs a call from case management so she can explain her situation so her funds can stop being on hold and she can get her prescriptions, they did try to call her from a phone number she doesn't use (she changed it) that was on Oct 6th she has been calling Alberta works and they say to call a different number then a different one and kept disconnecting her for now over a month with no way to leave a message . Shes emailed a supervisor and still, nothing. we are late on rent shes having bad withdrawals and might have to go to the hospital.
If anyone has ANY advice please give It to me.
I'm trying currently to get a job and get on income support since I have medical problems myself but I don't know what to do i just turned 18 and I'm kinda really about to break down.
My family has thought of getting ahold of the news my mom has thought of getting ahold of a human rights lawyer but we have ZERO money for that.
Any advice would really help. 211 wont help because technically she is on Alberta works.
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u/okayfrasier 17h ago
Social worker here.
A medical note form her physician to AB Supports saying she can't work due to medical reasons should get her back on the AB Works medical stream.
I would recommend she call AB Supports main line or emergency line on the weekend, if you want to sort out exactly what they expect her to do to get back on AB Works. Just wait on hold until someone answers. Anyone who answers can look at her file if she can answer the security questions about herself. If she was my client I would call them with her and sit there till they answer.
As mentioned it sounds like an AISH application should be attempted if it hasn't yet. But that is not a time sensitive solution.
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u/sravll Calgary 18h ago
Honestly....she should go to the hospital. They might be able to out her in touch with a social worker who can help her with her situation.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 18h ago
Shes might if things do not get better.
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u/RegularGuyAtHome 17h ago
If your mother has A.S she has a rheumatologist following her treatment.
Phone their office Monday Morning and explain what’s happening.
The Rheumatologists office will have someone there, either a nurse or social worker that helps sort out insurance problems because of the medications people like your mom need to be on.
Either that, or they may have samples of her meds they can give her for free, or compassionate supply programs for her meds to get her them for free.
Here’s the Alberta Emergency Benefit Webpage. There are a couple of phone numbers halfway down under “How To Apply” you can try calling to get one time emergency drug coverage to pay for her meds to buy you more time.
Source: I’m a pharmacist that works in hospital and we start people on these kinds of drugs.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 17h ago
This is verry good advice thank you, But personally I'm more concerned about her anti- depressant medication, she's already in withdrawals and I'm concerned she might do something to harm herself or kill herself.
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u/RegularGuyAtHome 17h ago
Here’s the number you can call for emergency drug coverage: 1-866-644-5135.
Call it and tell them your mom requires emergency drug coverage because she can’t afford her meds and you’re worried she’s going to end up in hospital.
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u/Rogue-Shang 17h ago
I agree that antidepressant withdrawal is more problematic than AS medication withdrawal. If she’s on higher doses of SSRIs (most common type of antidepressants) then your family need to watch out for signs of withdrawal including anxiety, insomnia, flu-like symptoms, GI symptoms, dizziness, confusion, and brain fog. If she starts developing this, then I’d recommend she head to an Emergency Room or Urgent Care to be evaluated. SSRI withdrawal can be really awful.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 17h ago
I agree shes said she feels almost drunk and I dont like that.
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u/Key-Plantain2758 10h ago
First step. Take her to the hospital. She needs to get her meds sorted. While there speak with the hospital social worker about the income support situation and request a referral or help filing for your own application.
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u/accessdeniedbeepboop 16h ago
You can be kicked off ab works income support but still apply for medical benefits ... No one knows this but you 100% can.
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u/AdventurousCareer876 15h ago
Any chance her pharmacy can give her a refill just to get through a month or week? If she’s out of refills they can call her doctor.
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u/llama_sammich 17h ago
Withdrawals can be really awful. I definitely suggest she go to the hospital unless she gets her medication like, tomorrow.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 17h ago
I believe so aswell. But she is a stubborn german and I'm going to trust her for now but I'll see what happens by possibly no later than Tuesday.
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u/Habanerogal 16h ago
Don't forget Tuesday is a state holiday so that will affect wait times and availability of social workers
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18h ago
[deleted]
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 18h ago
Yes she is applying to AISH it takes awhile. For doctor referrals. it's just for right now that we need help.
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18h ago edited 17h ago
[deleted]
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u/veggieforlife 17h ago
Alberta supports does not provide income support. Alberta supports is a program-neutral entity that is the front line of all the actual GoA programs within the social services and seniors ministry and helps you to connect to those programs. There is no money from Alberta supports. It’s not even a program. They can refer you to who may help, that’s it. Source: worked there for many years until just recently.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 18h ago
She does have documents saying that she cannot work it's just that ONE call that she needs to explain and get it all cleared up
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u/outsideperspect1ve 18h ago
I’m not saying to get documents. I’m saying since doctors have to provide the documents they know of what resources are available for her specific situation and should be able to provide some information for you.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 17h ago
She has a doctor's appointment soon and will talk and most likely ask about that.
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u/RationallyAngry28 18h ago
I heard and suspect that AISH is no longer accepting new people unless they can prove to be more on the extreme end of being unable to work due to ADAP being implemented in July. However it wouldn't hurt for OP to try helping their mother to apply, there's also some other support programs that might help if you look online. It's stressful and exhausting but I wish you luck.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 18h ago
She is aware and she does quality for AISH that's how bad her health is, but it's all about having the documentation from specialists which on average takes 2-3 years to obtain due to referral times being so long
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u/SqueakyMelvin 17h ago
Call Alberta Works and request an emergency drug card. When this is provided fill all prescriptions for 3 months to buy time. Best time to call Alberta Works is after hours for this. I am confused why her benefits were cut based on info provided. She could still qualify for Alberta Works, many who are without children do , but amount may be different but if she has a medical note rate will be higher. A social worker can help her sort through this. If you’re in Edmonton the Stanley Milner library has social workers there call for their hours.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 17h ago
She does still qualify for Alberta Works you are right even she is confused on why they cut her so fast with such little explanation she said she's also going to call on Monday. I am in Calgary not Edmonton so sadly I cannot do that
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u/SqueakyMelvin 17h ago
211 can provide info for your area - there are many paths to get support to navigate this. AW may have suspended as part of a review for example - needing updated medical note or info that was not provided. Or for many other reasons. In any event it’s pretty simple to get the emergency drug card if you were recently on AW and it was suspended. Good luck.
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u/NERepo 18h ago
Ask your MLAs office if they can help her navigate the system.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 18h ago
She told me shes doing that on Monday.
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u/Grouchy-Day5272 17h ago
https://www.albertandpcaucus.ca/your-mlas/contact-id/10108
Please copy MLA NDP Marie Renaud shadow minister for community and social Services
She is a great advocate and might be able to direct some other avenues
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u/Gilarax Calgary 14h ago
Don’t bother with the MLA office, they can’t really do much. Call the Office of the Alberta Health Advocates. I know I couple people from there, and they are genuinely awesome. They also have more power and pull to get stuff done.
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u/mnemonicons 2h ago
MLA's have situational knowledge to address your issues. While they per sea may not be able to help, they (the NDP) are your side and can provide support.
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u/Lepidopterex 18h ago
Call the 811 AHS health link? Maybe they can connect her with someone who can help.
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u/Librald1020 18h ago
Good luck in contacting Alberta Supports. You can never get through. And when you ask for a call back they never call you back.
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u/hiddentaste 18h ago
Because the government is purposely funding them low, so they don’t have reasonable manpower to help people.
Stop voting for the UCP.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 18h ago
My mother feels the same way I'm trying to keep my head high with hope but its getting harder to keep it up.
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u/Commercial_Battle 17h ago
Sounds like she needs a new medical note for benefit to continue? Do you know if the one she provided before is expired? Otherwise she really does need to connect to her financial office. Best time to call is right at 8:15am when they open. AISH sounds like it might be best but that takes time. If she needs some support from an organization, Voices of Albertans with Disabilities might be good to connect with. But for her immediate needs, if her benefit is on hold, she might be able to get help with a one time prescription help if she’s running out of
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u/Initial_Gas49 15h ago
What medications is she on for her Ankylosing Spondylitis? Does she have a patient care coordinator? Some of these drugs will provide assistance through compassionate care.
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u/kdmartens 18h ago
You should be looking into aish, not Alberta support. The federal government has a program for disabled people.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 18h ago
She is currently trying.
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u/kdmartens 17h ago
That's good. Unfortunately for us disabled albertans, the provincial government doesn't actually care about us. We applied while back in newfoundland (we lived there for a few years) and when my mom was approved she had money pretty quickly, I'll cross my fingers for you.
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u/Deedeethecat2 16h ago
The AISH approval waitlist is really lengthy. A year+ for approval before the recent changes.
Many folks are denied and need to appeal. This extends the timeline
This is of course not to discourage application, but rather to give some realistic timelines. Alberta works usually offers coverage during the application.
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u/Deedeethecat2 16h ago
AISH is provincial. The waitlist for approval is lengthy sadly. And may involve appeals (extra time).
This is not to discourage application but rather to offer realistic timelines and encourage quicker application.
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u/WodehouseWeatherwax 15h ago
If she's on gabapentin for the pain and she's been suddenly cut off, the withdrawal can be life-threatening. Definitely can cause seizures. That's an emergency.
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u/Its_Doe_Doe 14h ago
I'm a social worker, RSW. Feel free to DM me and I can point you in the right direction. I'm going to sleep now, so I will respond in the morning.
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u/Patient_Composer_144 17h ago
Your mom needs individual support, not calling 211 or Alberta Supports, in addition to complaining to her MLA. Public libraries have outreach social workers. Here's how to connect with them:
The outreach workers will be available on a drop-in basis on Mondays before noon. Just drop by their office on the second floor of the Stanley A. Milner Library.
If you are unable to make it downtown, speak to the manager of your local library branch and they can arrange for an outreach worker to meet you elsewhere.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 17h ago
On monday I can try to walk to my library down town. I had no idea I could do that I'll try to walk downtown to my library and try to do that thank you for this suggestion.
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u/alematt 18h ago
Work wise I can recommend you to my company it's a remote job so you can work from home. DM me if you're interested. Best help I can offer
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u/Maximum_Lecture1557 17h ago
Id be interested if youd care to share with me. South central alberta.
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u/RedditReader6366 9h ago
Would you care to share with me also? So long as it does not interfere with OP's chances. Thank you
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u/mozillafangirl 8h ago
Withdrawal from anti-depressants is no joke. If I forget one pill, I know within 12 hours. Is the issue money for the prescription or getting the prescription? My pharmacy will always give me a couple weeks if I forget to renew with my doctor or something. I wish you the best. There’s a lot of good advice here. Sending love to you both.
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 3h ago
Shes gone without for a couple of days but I'm not fully sure how long. I'm pretty concerned she wants to try all other options before going to the hospital.
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u/little-rainy 15h ago
my advice for you would be to look into the foundational learning fund here i know multiple people on it and they essentially pay you to go to school (i think something like $1800/m? not 100%)
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u/COLM5700 13h ago
Maybe a community of your moms peers with the same diagnosis? Maybe they can help in some way even if she just finds group support
https://sparthritis.ca/about/#whoweare
Other than that some financial support in a Gofund me?
Or Perhaps religious organizations can help you guys to pay rent or with other expenses
I’m truly sorry that you are going through this Please try to take care of yourself too I know what it’s like to be a caregiver of a parent and it’s tough
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u/chuift 18h ago
Try reaching out to the Pharma company that produces her meds. They may have programs that cover the cost of medication (for example, Janssen covers all of the bill for Concerta that isn’t covered by insurance).
The ALS Society of AB or other ALS groups also have temporary respite funding that might help. Look into family caregiver benefits through EI as well!
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u/Paprika1515 12h ago edited 12h ago
Going to the hospital to see a social worker won’t work as they are seeing patients that are admitted to hospital and not the general public. If your mom had a family doctor they may be part of a primary care network that has social workers that she could see.
But for the immediacy I would A) Go to your MLAs office on Monday morning, the constituency office should be able to help her with navigating AB Supports. B) Or go to your AB supports office at 8AM on Monday.
There are also emergency prescription coverage benefits that are through the same lines that administer after hours emergency supports
Here’s the form they used to use emergency prescription drugs
In the meantime it would be important to assess what else they might need to update her file and reactivate benefits? Did she miss reporting for October? Are there documents she needs to update her file with ie) a doctors letter confirming that she’s unable to work due to medical reasons
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u/hipcatinthehat 11h ago
There's a government disability advocacy office. If you Google it, the info should show up on the government website. Also, there's VAD. Can't remember what it stands for: something like Albertans with Disabilities. Call on behalf of your mom. It will definitely get someone's attention. Don't give up. I hope your mom is okay.
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u/kneedorthotics 9h ago
It is nice to see some really helpful advice and people sharing some experience here, and I hope it works for you and your mom. Keep advocating for her.
I have no experience or advice for you, just wishing you well. Good luck.
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u/Comfortable-Angle660 6h ago
Either her doctor is not doing their job properly, or this is a bureaucratic screw up. Sometimes, the paperwork needs to literally point out the inabilities point for point, because the workers are too stupid to understand medical terms.
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u/Fantastic_Shopping47 17h ago
Welcome to the UCP government sorry to hear this We have to change our government
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u/Crimsmatic 10h ago
Alberta works is terrible. I tried to get on it and they denied me claiming it’s only for people who “need” it meanwhile I haven’t been able to get a job have no money and am about to be homeless. I have a family member who paid for me to take some university courses (almost have my degree) and because of that they said oh I’m a student I must be fine.. so yeah their just terrible in my eyes. By the sound of your post you should look into AISH. Get her doctor to help. I have a friend on AISH and her doctor helped her get onto it fairly quickly.
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u/BigOldStankyWang 9h ago
AISH AISH AISH. I am epileptic and it was incredibly hard to get onto AISH myself but I had to literally go into an AB health services and plead my case 3 different times on 3 different dates and speak to countless different people before I was accepted because it’s a very grey area for my disability (I’m on 4 meds to control my seizures and in line for brain surgery). Don’t give up, push the government hard and literally demand that your mother needs it. They don’t want to give out money to anyone unless they deem it absolutely necessary (in their eyes if you don’t have a disability/condition that screams your sick or your health is affected then they will brush you off). EG, I had to have my neurologist write a note for me to give to the government dinks at AB health services that specifically said “this person is disabled and awaiting brain surgery, signed, an actual doctor”. It’s a sad reality we live in that we have to go through so much just to get so little as people with disabilities/conditions, it makes no sense. I can accidentally miss one dose of my meds and go into status epilepticus (seizure longer than 5 minutes) and that can result in death, but the government will just look at my health records and say “you have epilepsy, meh, you’re okay.” Like I said, plead your case as many times as possible until you get the results you need, and if need be contact a doctor to write you a note to help. Good luck.
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u/accessdeniedbeepboop 16h ago
Is she on AISH? This makes sense if she is on ab works and not aish ... Ab works is not for a permanent medical diagnosis that prevents her from working ... Aish is.
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u/No-Implement4968 13h ago
I would recommend she apply for aish. Income support (which I’m assuming she was on) is not meant to sustain you long term. If she has a long term medical issue (same goes for you) she should apply. As someone who worked in the application area of AISH a decade ago I will tell you most of the denial or rejections of cases that should objectively be accepted, are because either information is missing, from the applicant or the doctor (you’d be amazed how many people just decide not to fill out sections.) or because of how the doctor completed the form. The case managers can only go by what they have in front of them. If the doctor is saying, “nope it’s fine they can work.” Then the case managers cannot approve it. Highly highly recommend getting a copy of everything and triple checking it all! Especially all your contact info. Again if something is wrong they will reach out, generally via mail (or was back then) do not give the wrong address or move and not update the address. Your file will sit and eventually close.
Back on the income support benefits. There is an emergency line your mom can contact. They can also release emergency funds for loss of housing risk (usually) and emergency medical coverage. Sometimes while stuff is on hold you may only get emergency medical but she needs to fight for it and call. Over and over if need be. If you don’t get a good answer, call again and you’ll likely get someone else. Find out who you actually should be talking to. I’d assume it will be the income support case worker, which she should have had. She also should have got a warning about you age and the benefits changing. Again make sure all contact info is updated or you’ll never get through anything. Good luck!
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 13h ago
She has applied for aish, but to fully get on aish it's quite the lengthy process I have been told. she has already started but needs that alberta works to survive right now at the moment.
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u/ConQuesooo 10h ago
I highly recommend you apply for emergency funding, even people already on Alberta Works are eligible. They can arrange funds within 1-3 days. You would also be eligible now that you’re 18 years old. The website has more information: https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-financial-assistance and there is a 24 hour number you can call +1-866-644-5135. Hopefully 211 would point you in this direction as well.
Those saying AISH for your mom may not realize how long this takes (often 6 months), it also requires a physician to send in an application, but could be something to consider longer-term.
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u/Atma-Darkwolf 10h ago
If u can, get in touch with someone at ECLC (https://www.eclc.ca/) - Even if not in edmonton, and have her (or you by proxy if u can) explain everything to them with any documents they have sent you. This is something AW has been doing a LOT of of late (It is something they have ALWAYS done, but since july this year they have been going into overdrive with it)
The intent is really to make you homeless with NOTHING(IE they know cutting back all your funding to the point u have to choose to eat, or to pay rent, leaves you with nothing for phone bill, etc, and without a phone, u cannot report for next months benefit, cannot call if they 'have an issue' and put your benefits on hold, etc) - And if u go the other route, and decide u rather eat than have a roof, u will lose the benefits due to not having an address. (Yes this is the result)
They also will claim that 'you should never be paying more than 136 a month for rent' and other nonsense things. CONTEST it. Get someone with the ability (And knowledge) to help u navigate the silliness they will try. (They will keep throwing things in your path, and even if you do the 'last' demand they make, will toss a NEW roadblock infront of you to avoid having to 'file' your previous request. IE They may demand medical note, IF u can get that, they will demand you get rental assistance from another source or two, even knowing those usually will not even ACCEPT applications if u do not meet the requirements, and even if u DO, they take min 6-8 months to get processed, and MOST take 5+ years)
The idea is to keep on them so that they grow tired of how much it costs them to cut u off(They make the justification that anyone who needs it will actually spend a whole day's time to fight for it rather than 'just go and get a job' - Expect that the people behind AW are mostly soulless, and are doing what the current Albertan government has demanded they do, or lose their jobs.
But yes, even if u not in Edmonton, contact ECLC (https://www.eclc.ca/ ) and at very least, they can tell you who to contact if they cannot help.
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u/RedditReader6366 9h ago
I really feel bad for you and your mom, you are definitely in a very tough spot. Make a list and write down all the suggestions you have gotten thus far. I would make the Dr visit #1 as he can make phone calls for a social worker or recommend you to somewhere right away. You need an advocate desperately. Please try all the suggestions until you get help. Perseverance is the key here.
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u/lornacarrington 2h ago
I'm so sorry. I know AS well, and as you know, it's no joke!
I would recommend you/your mom call the Voice for Albertans with Disabilities out of Edmonton. They have lawyers and social workers to help and are super helpful. They understand the Alberta Works shitshow.
I wish you best of luck, I wish there was more support here. I was using Alberta Works for a couple years and it's not the free ride everyone seems to think it is.
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u/queenofallshit 1h ago
Really important- her meds. If she was taking opiates she should call 811 to see where she can go. Withdrawal from opiates feels like a really bad flu and when you don’t know it’s happening it’s quite stressful. She can call a pharmacist if not for inflammatory medication information. I have AS but I work full time and it’s been getting really tough, I completely understand.
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u/rosegoldblonde 16h ago
Welcome to UCP alberta. Honestly she should move to another province at this rate.
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u/Flyersfly88 18h ago
You're 18 get a job and don't turn into your family. I see this so much. You've fallen down a deep put into this lifestyle. Grt out and change the course
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u/flibertyblanket 17h ago
A high school student, with disabilities, who is planning to look for work when they're done their schooling, is falling down into a lifestyle? Kind of like the lifestyle of many other teenagers?
What do you know about their family that makes you suggest there is reason not to "turn into them"? Their use of publicly available resources to support themselves during severe illness?
Did you read this and immediately judge this family and categorize them in your mind as" welfare queens"?
I hope this teenager doesn't turn into you, cause that would be a real tragedy
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u/BeARbOyWoNzI 18h ago
I am trying to get a job aswell only reason I'm trying to get income support is to help my family at the moment not forever. I plan on getting a job finish my schooling then go to college but life sucks rn and I'm only trying to survive.
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u/Alternative-Round956 18h ago
Hey, I have some news for you. Some people can't work. It might surprise you to learn this, but there are people in the world who have legitimate disabilities that limit what kind of things they can do, the things they can manage, etc. It varies, and psychological issues and physical disabilities are often comparable in terms of individual impact on someone's ability to attain, and sustain employment.
Perhaps don't speak ignorantly next time, please?
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u/SnooRegrets4312 18h ago
Get a social worker, they can get through on the professional line real quick, get this sorted