Wait a minute - Who did you say is paying the other half of your Internet & heat? Let me guess; you live in a bachelor suite on AISH $$ with a squatter that shares the cost heat and the Internet. What did he do? Bring the (hot) computer.

Back it up a bit. Best to keep it real and above board – you get to pay full price for Internet and heat. There is no one to split them with. So, AISH $1188 – rent $705 – cell $80 – heat & Internet $80 – bus pass $40 leaves you $283. Grab the bundle of cash and hold tight, you are in for a ride.

You’ve chosen 2 luxuries – Internet & cell phone. Do tell, oh AISH-wannabe where did you get the computer? Did it cost you? and the cell phone... Take a pass here - they fell out of the sky, fine. Charity has smiled on you. But it stops there. What added value items do you have on each? Software, apps, iTunes – AISHify your gadgets - Anything that costs come out of your $283 or you do without. AISH comes with free Internet at the library and you have to buy a basic cell phone or a landline. For AISHers the only computers are hand-me-downs – slow and old.

Now you are out of the gate – equipped and honest. Accept a bit of help? If you go to the gym before you deduct your fee or hustle over to the YMCA and see about their limited income arrangement. Might be cheaper, if you qualify. And get that public library card – free computing and the cheapest entertainment around – no iTunes, no problem CDs, DVDs & videos all on loan for free.

It are still be doing your life on the AISH nickel unless you roll back your lifestyle.

In the kitchen – use only 2 or 3 condiments so no fancy mustard, 3 or 4 spices, tea - the cheap stuff... coffee too – nix cappuccino machine. Value Village or Goodies will have cheap coffee makers if you don’t like instant. Your closet – strip it down to say 2 loads of laundry including towels & sheets. One pair of shoes and one pair boots, one jacket. Oh, in case they didn’t mention it, coin laundry isn’t included in the $705, put some money aside. A challenge for you: take $20 or $30 shopping. If you limit yourself to Value Village, Goodies, Walmart and Zellers - you should be able to find a full set of duds for that; shirt, pants & shoes or maybe even a new2u jacket.

AISH isn't a day job it's 24/7... swapping your income for what AISH offers gets you a glimpse and you are not the first to do this challenge. Swann's already given you the answer. So please go for the bigger story.

Make your AISH month stand out - try to discover how the AISH folks live not just how they survive on so little. How do you keep occupied with no job to go to? Watch TV; sit in the Library, the mall? What connects you to others? Person to person – face to face. That means discussing this challenge can’t be the conversation. You've already said good-b ye to beer. Pitty… now you need to find out what else nurtures - no bucks style. What gets you up in the morning? Causes you to strive, to grow? Keeps you sane?

If you write nothing else - describe what it is like when the money runs out – and yours will or you’ve stopped living. What will you do? What will you sacrifice? Go without or hold out your hat… or just bail and grab the cash from the non-AISH pile?

I live here… so I've had to find my own the answers. Good luck finding yours!

remember that nutrition is important because if you already have a handicap, you need to be well-nourished to function optimally. So, eggs are a cheap protein. Carrots are a cheap vegetable. The kind of oatmeal you have to cook yourself is sustaining and nutritious, and filling. Eating enough fruit will be a challenge because you are only going to have less than $10 a day to pay for everything - food, laundry, cleaners, probably some deodorant because if you are handicapped most activities are going to take extra effort and thus cause more sweat.
And you are going to have to save money for emergencies because as a social worker once told me when I was having a crisis, "you'll have to learn to save for emergencies." So out of your less than $10 a day, you'll have to save in case:
- you cut your finger and want to buy a pack of bandaids
- you get a headache and need to buy a pack of tylenol
- your coffeepot or some other household appliance quits working
- your warm socks wear out and you have to buy some new wool socks (because you'll be out in the elements walking and waiting for buses, etc)
- you lose a mitt and need to replace your gloves
- your pillow is so old it is all lumpy and is giving you extra neck pain so you would like to buy a new pillow.
- your purse gets lost or stolen and you need to pay to get new keys from your landlord and to replace your ID.
- if you are woman (it is always more expensive to be a woman than a man) you will have to buy supplies for your monthly menstrual cycle.
- maybe your shoe laces break and you need new ones
- it is cold, you are cold and so you cut across the street and end up with a jaywalking fine.
- a massage and maybe some extra nutritional supplements (vitamins) would really help lessen the symptoms of your condition.
- you are invited to a wedding or your godchild's birthday
- your elderly grandmother is celebrating her special birthday in another city
- your mother or a best friend has been hospitalized and has a terminal illness. She lives in another city and you would really like to see her once more.
- your landlord or someone has screwed you and you want to file a claim in small claims court but find out that when Klein was king he increased the filing fee to $100.

The biggest challenge of all will be trying to find a miraculous way to find some reason to hope that things will get better for you in the future.

You will begin to wonder why the government doesn't hire people on AISH to help them formulate the provincial budget and balance it, because anyone on AISH is surely a miracle worker when it comes to balancing budgets.

Meanwhile, you will have to contend with the ignorant stereotyping that condemns you and blames you for why Albertans have to pay so much taxes and why the provincial budget can't be balanced. And you'll also have to deal with the judgments of wanna-be doctors who don't see any reason why you couldn't be working full-time and thus self-sufficient.

And if you think it is a challenge trying to survive on AISH, what about if you were eligible but haven't been approved for AISH and you have to try to survive on $500 something a month that a single person on social services receives?????

I wish I hadn't read your article because I have been trying to go to sleep but find myself trying to figure out ways to help you make it through the month and am so worried about your well being throughout this venture that I am getting quite depressed for your sake. I seriously think you should abandon the project because your mental health is worth more than meeting this challenge. You can't live authentically as a person on AISH would and come through the month with much self esteem. I think Swann was probably wise just to say he couldn't do it and not risk his mental health in the attempt to do it.

You have no idea how demeaning it will be. And when you are finished, few will even read your account because people don't want to be reminded of this side of life in Alberta. And besides, they have their own problems and hearing about someone else's problems just depresses them. What's more, nobody cares what you will go through. And what you write about it will be of no significance because you will not be a success or an expert by the world's standards, therefore no one will listen to you - your voice will be worthless in the eyes of the world.

What will it feel like, how will you deal with the feelings that arise when you are shivering at a crosswalk and people zoom past without any respect for you as a pedestrian all the while they are ensconed in their nice warm fancy vehicles. They will give you the impression that they are too important and in too much of a hurry to stop for a mere pedestrian.
How will you deal with having to test your friendships by constantly saying you can't afford to go for coffee, or go for drinks, or go to a hockey game. Few friendships can withstand such a difference in incomes.
Who will you be able to discuss your concerns with? Nobody really cares what you are going through and there are not counsellors equipped to deal with poverty issues and the mental torment of living in poverty.
How will you feel when you are surrounded by people talking of escaping this cold weather by zipping off to Hawaii or Mexico for a week or two?
And how will you feel when you realize that for some strange reason, people give presents according to the recipient's income: if you are poor, you get a poor gift; if you are rich, you get a rich gift. I don't know if people are conscious that they do this, but they do. I suppose it is because a lot of gift-giving is done to impress or to get likewise back, and since you are poor, they don't expect you to give much, therefore they won't give you much. You will find that most charity is really only a way for the giver to feel good about himself, not because he has any great concern for helping you. In fact, most people will be afraid to help you because they won't want to "enable" you. For the most part, people believe in that saying - "give a man a fish he eats for a day; teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime." And they won't want you to get anything for nothing. You will probably feel you have to listen to them "teach" you because if you don't patronize their ego, they won't help you at all.

These are just a few little ways living on AISH can affect a person. I think you probably have no idea what a serious danger you are putting yourself in, and I don't think anyone would think less of you if you just came up with an excuse why you could not do this. If you do decide to go through with this challenge, look for things you can be grateful for everyday because that will sustain you more than anything else. Sunshine will become priceless. Warmer temperatures will be cause to celebrate. Good luck!

I am glad someone like you is taking the AISH challenge! No one deserves to be living 17% below the national Low Income Cut Off Line (LICO). This LICO line is created by Statistics Canada
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75f0002m/2010005/lico-sfr-eng.htm.

I know there is other government services that provide less of an income to their clients. They too need to change and be acknowledged.

But because I am on AISH and I know several people who are on AISH. I want to make this program easy for people to understand. So below are the myths and facts:

1. Anyone can become disabled whether it be through injury or illness. No one wants to be disabled.

2. AISH is an income support program that is suppose to help people in Alberta live a good quality of life but the question is how can anyone live on only $1188 per month? That has to cover rent, food, utilities, transporation, and clothing. It gives 0% for quality of life.

3. according to CMHC people are only suppose to spend 30% of their gross income towards housing. But people on AISH on average spend 70%. For example the average cost of a bachelor suite in Calgary is $711 per month. That isn't including utilities. How can a person on AISH pay rent, get nutrious food, a low income $40. monthly bus pass, get new clothes and still be able to go out and enjoy the things the rest of us Albertans take for granted.

4. People on AISH are allowed to earn up to $400 in additional income before having to give 50% of what they earn over $400 back to AISH. If they earn over 1500 then they get kicked off AISH completely.

5. AISH does pay for health care benifits. However if someone needs for example medication that isn't traditional because they are allergic to the traditional form of medication normally given to people with their conditions, phyio/ occupational/ speech therapy, counseling from a registered social worker or psychologist- these are not covered by the AISH health benifits program. The cost of these things must be covered by another insurance or out of the AISH client's pocket.

5. For those who don't like AISH and who want to see AISH change I encourage them to contact their Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Minister Maryanne Joblinski (she is the one in charge of Alberta Community and Seniors Supports- which AISH falls under) via phone, snail mail or email to tell them as voters and tax payers they want the AISH program to change. If they are scared of losing AISH but would like to tell their story they send an email using a fake name. Or they can also write their story using either their real name or fake name on the AISH 2011 Campaign blog below. The creators of those blogs include people on AISH, disability serving agencies including the Cerebral Palsy Association Of Alberta, Disability Action Hall, and the Calgary SCOPE Society. The creators also include staff from the Mustard Seed and the City of Calgary. Together they are collecting stories of people on AISH and also challenging those not on AISH to take the AISH challenge. Remember no one on AISH (or any other government program) asked to be poor. They too deserve a good quality of life just like other Albertans do.

To learn more about AISH please go to the the government of Alberta website

http://www.seniors.alberta.ca/aish/


To write about your experience on what it's like to live on AISH please go to

http://aishcampaign.blogspot.com/2010/12/could-you-live-on-1100-month-what-if.html#comments

I saw Trevor's article and I thought it was very good. I really liked reading the comments of the politician's especially Honorable Maryanne Joblonski's response. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out if you can't do your job and live on $1188 a month how can you expect your voters (or in other words your bosses) to do the same thing? This program and others like it in Alberta need to be fixed. We are in a wealthy province that is full of oil. We're so wealthy that the politicians gave themselve a raise last year despite the fact they say we're now in debt.

To see it Trevor's article please go to:

http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/more-funds-needed-for-severely-disabled-say-non-profits-6987/

Trevor I know it isn't easy to live on $1188 a month. I know because I am on AISH myself just like some of my other friends are. I admire you for taking up the challenge, writing your article, and writing this blog. Keep up the good work!

I have been on aish since I was 21, and I suffer from Schizophrenia. When I got on Aish I was living in Red Deer, at first $855 a month was nice, cause the cost of living wasnt all that high. But that soon changed within a couple of years, it got harder, I have had to live with roommates ever since then, and its annoying, I absolutely hate it.

I live in Calgary now and 1188 a month, even with roommates still doesnt go that far, my credit is completely ruined cause you cant afford to pay bills, rent, and get groceries all with the amount they give you. Some months I have had to go without food just so I could make sure my bills were paid. Using the calgary food bank is a joke if anything, you are only allowed to use it 3 times a year, and then you need a reference or something to use it any other time in the year, and I dont drive, so getting there can be a pain, as I live in the Northeast, and its near Downtown.

I have also asked my Aish worker about going to school to get my Comptia A+ cause I am good with computers, and I want to be a technician, and they kept blowing me off cause I never graduated High school, I only have my grade 11. Turns out I only need my grade 10 bare minimum to get it. So over the last year and a half I had sacrificed my needs and saved up to goto school and get it. I am now a proud certified Technician. It is my dream to eventually get off of aish and do something with my life, as I am sick of the lack of support they give us through money or personal support.

I dont know how they can consider $1188 a month is enough to live off of. Even in the smaller towns where cost of living is cheaper than the cities, it is still hard to live off that little amount. I had a better quality of life when I was a teenager than I do now. The worse thing is I have very low self esteem, so when they say anything to me, it hurts and I sit in my room for weeks before I do anything.

So I double dare these nitwits in Parliament to take this challenge, but try it for more than 1 month, maybe try it for 3, and see if you can do it. Give up all your luxuries and get people to replace you in government for that time, and try living like we do ya useless bunch of idiots.

Trevor, we are thinking of you. Its now day 3. Many of the Members of the Disability Action Hall run out of money by now. Here are some tips, please let us know which ones work best for you.
http://actionhall.blogspot.com/2011/03/tips-to-live-on-how-to-live-1188-per.html?spref=fb

@Calgary:

Thanks for the tips. Yeah, Day 4 for me now and I'm already dreading the rest of the month.

My diet has largely consisted of processed white flour (spaghetti, Lipton Sidekicks, white bread) a few eggs and oatmeal. I'm constantly hungry and tired, my thinking is muddy and generally quite grumpy. Also, I'm craving sugar for some reason, which is quite unusual for me.

Just knowing that my diet and lifestyle is so restricted is disheartening and slightly depressing.

Still, I don't think I'm even beginning to scratch the surface of what those on AISH, particularly ones who have already run out of money, are really going through.

I will say one thing, I've become much more grateful for my lot in life.

Film it like the guy in Supersize Me did then post it on YouTube.

Hey Trevor. If you want to come down and join in solidarity for International Women's Day, (gathering at Harry Hay's 11:30 am and free potluck at the Kerby Centre 5:30) We will be sharing people a postcard on how to take action; It's a small step to help raise awareness for people like yourself who want to help raise awareness of the 1188 challenge. People are invited to download the images off our blog http://actionhall.blogspot.com/2011/03/hope-for-life-above-poverty-line.html
or we can email you a PDF copy if you like!
Happy IWD and come for free food at night!

@Calgary

I definitely won't be able to make it down to the gathering this morning — will be busy today working on stories today. I'll try to make it down to the Kerby Centre this eve and say hi. Thanks for the invite.

Hey Trevor. If you got $ 5 bucks, come to the Calgary $ Market for some social time, good times and food! Learn about Calgary $ and learn about a frugality local food, shop local, buy local movement in Calgary!!!


Calgary Dollars will host their own local version of the "Oscars" as part of the Market. Dress up & shop at the 20 vendor tables.
March 14th 6 - 8 pm
$5.00 Chinese Food Dinner served from 6:15 - 6:45 (C$ accepted).
Second Monday of every month at Bow Cliff Seniors Centre at 608 Poplar Rd. SW Click here for Calgary Transit info. Questions, call Calgary Dollars at 403-270-8002
Wear your bling, nominate someone from the Calgary Dollars community for a C$ Oscar and walk on our very own walk of fame!
www.arusha.org

Subsisting on AISH is “interesting”, in the proverbial Asian sense of the word.

To save money I live with a roommate in a small town: even so, it's impossible to keep up with the bills, especially in the winter. I'm always deep in debt by the time spring comes. Because the cost of living has skyrocketed, I'm in deeper than ever.

The financial stress is emotionally exhausting, and it gets worse every year. At the moment I owe Epcor $650.00+: the cut off notice came today. I'm used to it, I get those at least every other month. My debt to the gas company is only about $260.00 (my roommate and I huddle between two space heaters all winter, since the cost of actually turning on the gas furnace in our drafty shack is astronomical).

I have no social life to speak of (it costs money to participate in society). I remember how fun it was to have friends when I was young, back when being chronically broke was just the status quo and not some sort of fraternal litmus test.

Being on AISH is akin to permanent solitary confinement with no hope of parole, ever. I recently read a statistic that fifty percent of Albertans think people on AISH are faking just to get free money. Before being diagnosed
bipolar with severe schizophrenia, I used to work in the oilfield doing production testing, base salary was $5600.00 per month.

It's been years since I have spoken to any of my family, better for them to wonder than to know my shame. I am tired and very lonely.

The future doesn't hold much hope for me, I think about suicide sometimes. I do not think I would be missed. Maybe having one less of us lazy AISH leaches would help the government balance the budget...

Poor4Life, sadly your story is like many others. Many people living on social assistance because of the poor math our government fails to match the rates to the cost of living and be indexed every year, everyone is falling behind. Thank you for voice and no longer remaining silent to what it is like to live in a province where the cos to living is higher than the national average. Your story will make a difference.
We also talked about Trevor taking on the challenge for the month of March and sending you good vibes. We have not heard from you in awhile. We mentioned your story and taking about the 1188 challenge on CJSW's soapbox derby. So if people would like to share why we need better math setting social assistance rates, feel free to contact your MLA. And for more information, check out our blog http://actionhall.blogspot.com/ and learn about the 1188 challenge by visiting http://aishcampaign.blogspot.com/

ok people say lets get real.............. well time for you people who say i am on aish and on limited income to wake up...........i am on EI which i paid into and when i was working paid for your so called AISH........i live off 1600 a month and rent is 1000. then bills......internet and cable is not mandatory unlike aish. who can get free stuff such as more money for kids. free bus passes... EI gets nothing like that.....was gonna rent out a room to an aish girl.......who claimed over and over about limited income so she could pay 400 for rent and 15 for food but she wanted that so she could have her sports channel and ufc and drink beer everyday.....it is people like that that make people on aish look bad......limited income which i live from means u give up certain things............good thing i changed my mind.......it should be montired so people like that get kicked off the system......... people bitch and whine but alot of countries do not have things like that..... people should be thankful for help instead of thinking it is owed to them

teresamarie, the reason anyone is on AISH is often not 'visable'; that said, it can take a very long time to qualify... first you deplete EI, now spend any savings, go on SFI (medical welfare) and apply for AISH... if you get accepted: start looking for low rent places while you lose you things (because you got evicted when you couldn't make rent and your landlord wouldn't release you from your lease or allow you a roomie)... found a place? Now try to scavage furniture- if you stayed at the drop-in you may access some... otherwise you have to have CASH in hand and go to every secondhand place in the community... found something? you need CASH to pay someone to haul it home... delivery is not available from most secondhand places...
Do the furniture thing every month until you get everything you NEED (a bed, a table, a chair, maybe a dresser eventually... shelves, tv and lamps are waaaay down the list)
Every month you will run out of some food item by the end of the second week (this month it was bread and milk), try to never buy more fresh fruit than you can eat... it'll break your heart when something rots and it goes in the garbage (try buying three of 3 kinds= 3 apples, 3 bananas, 3 oranges... eat the bananas first...)that's it for fresh. Buy only things you like to eat, because you will have to eat everything you buy... don't buy too much meat: chicken legs can be frozen, ground extra lean is a better buy than regular because you don't pay for so much fat(it all weighs!)the sooner you start loving veggies (canned and frozen don't rot) the better... learn to like rice and pasta(don't rot... seeing the theme?) Everything you buy will disapear if you get hungry enough(I lived on oatmeal and skim milk powdered milk for six weeks... you can survive{which you eventually see as triumph}).
Back to that application thingie... if the person who is assigned to read your paperwork goes on vacation: it will 'age out' you will have to re-apply... if one of the office minions checks a box saying they do something (they don't do anything... you do it all and pay it all...) you will have to appeal... and your application will 'age out' and you will have to re-apply. Re-applying means paperwork filled out by your primary doctor, your specialist (s), you... and maybe any agency treating/caring for you... and some or all will charge for this- over and over again.
After you get approved AISH can send 'the snoops' to make sure you are not living above your income... it's random (but they came every month for 6 months...Thank you Dr.********* for wrting them a letter so it stopped)... what they're looking for is big screen tvs and porches... mine were so well hidden I never found them!!! lol
If I choose to buy alcohol... my choice (life is hard enough without quitting everything at one time... it comes eventually)...channels on cable are cheaper than movie theatres... I personally believe everyone should make the hard decision and pay their fair-share of rent and food and utilities... but: trust me we are monitored- it's not so long ago we were emptying out our pockets to have our cash counted... in the AISH offices!!! every year... producing bank records to prove where the money went... Even on EI you get more respect than that.
So... you had a run-in with somone different than you and it rocked you back a little; but you held your ground (good for you!!!) and this person will find a place with a better fit and you'll find a person who meets your criteria...
Did you ask what she did in her former life??? It might have surprised you... we mostly had real lives paying real taxes and never though a brain chemical/brain injury/near fatal accident or other surprise of life would lead us here. It's an interesting life... hard, sometimes... scary lots of the time... but we are a community... even when the only thing we have in common is that 'teeny' cheque that, once again, will not stretch to cover a winter coat for this year (you'd be surprised how many people like my coat... I got it from an aquaintance (6 years old) and that was 10 years ago... it still works, and black is everylasting!!!)
We are getting an increase: rent will increase; we do not get free transit (just a gift of lower fee for now... gone at any time...)we pay the same for food, clothes and recreation (except we read for free at the library). Most of what makes it bearabl and possible: friends and tenacity.
I hope if you ever find yourself here you meet some peeps who love you enough to share their stories and inspire you to hang on... Have a great day; good luck on finding a new job...

I feel for the people living on AISH,I just wish for one month these high paid politicians would take trevor's challenge and try living on that income. It would be impossible. As for your problem to kraft dinner just go to your nearest dollar store,buy yourself a can of flaked tuna or ham and use 1/2 can mix it with your kraft dinner it taste good or better yet go to your food banks. Trust me everyone does even well off people do to save a buck.

I used to live in Alberta, and I have to laugh at you whiners. I was on AISH and yeah, it wasn't easy but come out to Vancouver, and try and survive on 495 a month...the DISABILITY rate. You're sitting at, what, 1,588 a month? AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO WHINE ABOUT IT! Are you on crack? Seriously. You've got it a hell of a lot easier than those of us who live in the province with the highest cost of living in Canada. Stop your bitching and whining and be ggrateful you're not stuck living on $495 a month in the poorest urban postal code in Canada.

I think the point people are trying to make is that it is immoral and probably unethical to force a person to subside in abject poverty merely becuase of circumstances beyond their control. There seems to be no end of $ for various politicians and their hired cronies to piss away on themselves. It's the old "F you Jack, I'm alright. I've got mine - and yours too!" A society is measured by how it treats its most disadvantaged. To say things are worse in place X or place Y is not an absolution. It is a travesty that should not be allowed to exist. How many people in need could live quite well on the $ Harper et al. want to blow on the F-35 White Elephant? The FIRST priority should always be the welfare of the people - ALL the people, not just the self-serving. Maybe Canada needs its own 1789 to solve this. To me, it's a disgusting shame.

Not bad trying but unless u live it you have no idea and what about when aish was only 800 a month I broke my back this summer and still waiting to see if im approved to recieve aish I cannot work and am recieving 400 a month from ei disability which is for only a few months then runs out dec 29 tried getting help from welfae cant get help while on ei I owe my landlord 2000 for past due rent and my car is going to be repossesed and I need it to get around cus I cant walk for more than 5_10 mins at a time yet when I call to enquire about help its always wait till ur aish comes through and when I phone aish they cant tell me when yet its been 6months since I applied im terrified im going to loose my home and everything else already lost my housr phone at local library now just so I can talk to friends and family power, and gas and water comp all sent disconnection notices ab gov does not help ppl in need and nobody understands why its so hard here to live I have to drive 20min to see a doctor yet eelfare doesnt help with vehicle costs at all they only help u if your working does that make sense? And also small towns dont have public transit either and I wish I had a 1000 to live on I get to eat once a day its usually bread with whatever I got from food bank cus I have no money for food and still ab gov says no help I talk to social worker who wants to help but cant because of government regulations her supervisor told her to tell me to find somewhere cheaper than 800 a month looked into low income housing in my town its 1000 plus utilities wtf whats going on thats not even remotely i

When i first moved to red deer i was living off 805 with rent at 780 then i moved into a place that toom my rent and kicked me out so i decided to get a bsmt suit with some friends thwn they all got laid off and now makeing 980 a month i manage to pay my cellphone bill thats 200 dollars a month pay my rent thats 1125 and still buy tpilet paper for 4 (you know what 4 dollar toilet papers like!?) amd live off the once a month hamper from the food bank which for 3 ppl is enough for 3 day not only that when they go to alberta works for help they are told they need job confermation to get financial help meanwhile i have learnt how to save money every way possable not to mention a mess up at the bank bounced my check and i owe an extra 150 on my already rediculasly high rent so on top of those 4 days (and yes all in 4 days) i cant get my rent subsidised cause i live with able bodied ppl trying to find work in a resession and ppl give me dirty looks cause i dont work and you dont realize how often so whede do you work and i say im on perminent disability cause a distrcted driver hit me im the bad person milking the government for there hard earned tax dollars ya come to my house you will see how its like if i could trade shoes i would