I moved back to Ontario in September of last year because my dad was sick. I had been living out of province for nearly 15 years, so i have no family or friends here except an elderly couple that has been long time friends of my father. I didnt intend to stay long term, so i left most of my belongings in new brunswick. But after being here 2 months I had to give up my apartment and job there, and a few weeks later my dad passed away. He passed without a will so handling everything has been a lengthy process which is part of the reason I’m still in Ontario.
When I first got to ontario my dad was very sick. I was able to stay with my dads long time friend in town during the time he was in the hospital so I could visit him everyday. This arrangement wasnt long term (I was staying on the couch, it was with an elderly couple who obviously could not take me in for long). When I initially arrived, it was the plan for my dad to stay in the hospital until a spot opened in a long-term care facility opened up. So one of the first things I took care of was cleaning out his rental, pack his belongings he would take with him, and donate the rest. I figured it was my responsibility to not leave it to the landlord, and I couldnt be responsible for the rent payments at the time. (I was living off of my savings, which wasnt very much to begin with. and my father was only on OAS, and i went through OW to pay for his cremation, who took any last government payments and any money in his bank).
My dad passed without a will which made wraping up his finances and what not a lengthy process (which I’m still working on). With is being about 3 months with this elderly couple, I looked for alternative housing. I was lucky to find out that my dads rental was still vacant, and the landlord agreed to rent to me. This rental was located on a reserve, not sure if that is relevant or importat to mention or not. So I applied for OW through the band office and was approved.
I requested a start up to get the things I needed for the place as I was starting completely over again. Which was an ordeal in itself. I had to go into rhe office and write a list of the items I needed, estimate the price and submit that. I was then approved for $350 to pay for literally everything, clothes, appliances, dishes etc. My worker insisted I provide ALL receipts for everything I bought to account for all $350, or I could face deductions or suspension. I ordered a few things from temu, but I used a different shipping address than where I live because of my location being rural and accessibility is sometimes sketchy because of all of the snow this year. She did not accept those reciepts because of this. I bought a few things for cash off of marketplace, and now I cant prove this either, unfortunately.
i was recieving a rent top up amount of $456, because my rental is more than the amount i recieve. it was abruptly stopped the 1st of April, with 2 weeks notice of this happening, leaving me no time to plan for any alternative. however, my landlord is very kind and has agreed to work with me until I can figure something out, but what the heck, only a 2 week notice?
I recently have been looking into finishjng my highschool, and applied to take a few courses. On the 3rd of April i asked for a letter from my worker for a proof of residency in ontario for the school so I can take the courses without paying as they are free to ontario residents. My worker refused, said that I didnt submit the proper reciepts for my start up in January, (the ones I submitted had a different shipping address), and it was now absolutely necessary I provide them with my OHIP card proving my address by the 23rd of April or my case would be put on hold.
The Service Ontario Mobile Trailer comes to the reserve once a month (the 21st of this month), which would give me 2 days to submit proof to my worker, which I’m not even sure is possible. I sent an email mentioning this and she said “go to Service Ontario in town” which is 20km away, and without regular transportation of my own, this isn’t the easiest of tasts for me. Since my rent top up was also discontinued this month, I have absolutely NO money to pay for transportation, or anything else for that matter. I am already behind on rent and now she is threatening to suspen my case without this proof of residency by the 23rd of this month.
I have already provided my worker with a rental agreement from my landlord stating my address, and OW even had a mattress delivered to my address. I just cant understand why she would be insisting I provide proof again, within 20 days, 18 days before service ontario is even accessable for me.
Not only that, but ive recently learned that my neighbour moved here just a few months before me from out of province as well, and was given quite a generous start up and moving expense amount of over 2000$. No reciepts had to be provided, no lists and no questions asked.
Am I wrong for feeling sort of singled out? Is it reasonable for her to ask for proof of residency even though ive already provided a rental agreement written by the landlord and rent reciepts? Is it reasonable for her to refuse to give me a letter so I can apply for school (mind you, OHIP cards are not acceptable forms of proof of residency for school, but a government letter from my worker is accepted) ? Is she allowed to tell me to go 20km to apply for my OHIP in order to satisfy her deadline or face suspension?