The "System"

Well, we have come up against "the system". 


AISH did a review of Kenzie's bank account and determined she has too much money. That means that although she was receiving a supplement because she is celiac and diabetic, she no longer qualifies. The good news? at $6.99 for a loaf of bread, it won't be long before she is broke and the supplement will kick back in.


I imagine this is just the first of many times when we are going to come face to face with a bureaucracy that is intent on keeping people on AISH living paycheque to paycheque. 


I'm rather conflicted about it. I really don't believe people should get rich on government money. Whether that be employment insurance, welfare or even AISH. However, the system is designed to punish those that are trying to get ahead.


Lets say you were on AISH, and you were living off of $1,088/month - yes, that is the rate as of right now. Like Kenzie, you are a celiac and diabetic so you qualify for an additional $200. That means you have $1,288. You want to buy a new livingroom set and TV because you are moving to a new apartment next year. You need to save for a down payment as well. 


So, you start setting aside some money. I have no idea how you would even begin setting money aside because with that kind of income, where does the extra money come from? But for the sake of argument, lets say you are able to set some aside. Your family gives you some money for your birthday or Christmas etc. and you sock it away in your bank account. 


After saving for quite some time, you have $3,000. Just enough for the down payment on your new apartment, a living room suite and a TV. Or, maybe you decide you don't need the new furniture, but you want to have some money set aside for a holiday or for emergencies. 


Well, you have now entered the "too rich" zone. AISH will notify you that you no longer qualify for the food subsidy, and your already meager income will be cut back by $200 or 15%.


Saving for a car? good luck. A holiday? not likely. Retirement? bahahahaha!


People who are on AISH have gone through a rigorous qualification process that includes reams of application forms that are backed up by doctors forms and in-person interviews. These are not slackers or people who have chosen not to work. These are the people in society who simply do not have the ability to support themselves. Why does the government - and by extension society - work so hard to keep them poor and living hand to mouth?


Bah!