Starting Over at 48 - Is it too late?

June 8, 2011 3:49 PM

I want to get off ODSP and try going back to work, but how?

I'm 48, on ODSP (long term disability), I live in a crappy little bachelor apartment in a subsidized building. With the price of everything - especially groceries - skyrocketing, what I get on disability doesn't even last me to the end of the month. And I'm talking JUST bare necessities. Forget a haircut, or buying new clothes, or going to a movie once in a while. There's absolutely no money for any of those "luxuries." I'm tired of living well below the poverty line just because I have a psychiatric disability which, I might add, I have worked VERY HARD to overcome to the point where I feel I can function reasonably well "out in the world" again. I should say that what I suffer from is PTSD.

Anyway, I am tired of living like this. It's not living. And these living conditions are NOT conducive to anyone's good mental health, so I would really like to go back to work. Problem is, I have been out of the work force for 15 years, don't have an updated resume, and I'm afraid that at my age, without any current experience, my chances of being hired are slim to none.

What I would really like to do is work in a dental office - as a receptionist/office manager/treatment coordinator. While I do have office experience, albeit outdated I'm sure, I do not have dental experience. But I feel that I could learn very easily and I'd be good at it because I myself have had to struggle with serious dental issues, dental phobia, etc., so I think I could make the patients feel very much at ease... and it's something I'd really like to do.

So what do I do? What do I put on my resume? I don't think, "Well I kind of went nuts because of a trauma I experienced so I've been on disability the last 15 years," is something employers want to hear.

And I can't go back to school... can't afford it. And I won't qualify for a student loan because my credit is terrible.

I think I'm screwed. This is why it's SO hard to get "out of the system" once you're in it. Any suggestions?

posted by anonymous to work & money (9 answers total)

Where do you live? Have you gone to your city (or county) for help? Most cities have some sort of program for people in your position. It could be you'll have to jump through hoops that shouldn't apply to you, but it's likely worth the hassle.

If your city doesn't have one, or more likely, doesn't have one that's easy to find or is functional, try the Salvation Army and Goodwill often have ideas how to get you connected to government programs to get you into training classes, etc.

Just a thought, but google for "reentry." It's for people who've been incarcerated but often there is good advice and lists of contacts and other resources for anyone who's been out of the work world for awhile and don't have many social network or money resources.
posted by small_ruminant at 3:55 PM on June 8, 2011

For the record, ODSP is (unless there's a similar acronym elsewhere) the Ontario Disability Support Program.

I have no good answers, but there's some geographical context.
posted by aclevername at 4:02 PM on June 8, 2011

Assuming that you're in Ontario, there should be support through your ODSP office to help you with this. I interact occasionally with caseworkers and they seem to emphasize that they would really like people to try to (re)integrate into the workforce. As they and you both note, there are both financial and mental health benefits.

I would start by calling your local ODSP office. I know many are (and would be surprised if all aren't) connected to career support offices. There is even an Employment Supports program that seems like something that you may qualify for. All the best!
posted by flying kumquat at 4:21 PM on June 8, 2011

"And I won't qualify for a student loan because my credit is terrible."

Googling around gets "New loan applicants who have been in arrears for 90 days or more on three or more personal loans in the past three years with a combined value $1,000 or more will be ineligible for student loans. Students may still become eligible if they appeal and can demonstrate exceptional circumstances and a strong likelihood of repayment" (from multiple schools' web site pages on OSAP).

It looks like you would also be eligible for disability-related bursaries.
posted by kmennie at 5:12 PM on June 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

You may not qualify for loans, but you may qualify for tuition remission, grants, or gift aid. It is worth asking. At some colleges you can work at the college and get free classes. That is how I got through college and two graduate degrees. In the US we have community colleges. They typically go out of their way to help people like you. I am assuming that Canada has something similar. Good luck.
posted by wandering_not_lost at 6:31 PM on June 8, 2011

Considering your lack of experience you are right your resume is not very impressive. You probably need your resume done by someone else if you have not written one in fifteen years. Talking to your worker will probably get you in a programme to write the resume, practice interview skills and offer moral support. You might want to also look at organisations offering programmers for New Canadians - most of the ones I deal with in the GTA are thrilled to help anyone who needs their help.

If I were you I would first go in-person to every dental office that is accessible to you by public transit and talk to the staff before handing in your resume - that would make it stand out from the pile they probably receive. Emphasize that you are available to work on-call at first and ALWAYS work every shift you are offered, arriving on time and work hard. Then when a permanent position opens up you will be the natural fit.

Although you want to work front office you may find attending courses to be a dental hygienist (again, talk to your worker about what is available to you) may help you get your foot in the door - many places hire over-qualified individuals for the front desk.

I believe ODSP will give you $100 extra a month and take away fifty cents for each dollar you earn. Calculate what is the break-even point for you in terms of how much money to earn each month - the best combination for you would probably work casual/part-time while retaining the ODSP medical benefits and some income supplement (in case you relapse/get laid off).

Good luck!
posted by saucysault at 6:35 PM on June 8, 2011

I believe ODSP will give you $100 extra a month and take away fifty cents for each dollar you earn. Calculate what is the break-even point for you in terms of how much money to earn each month - the best combination for you would probably work casual/part-time while retaining the ODSP medical benefits and some income supplement (in case you relapse/get laid off).

I'm not sure about the $100, but I was on ODSP from 18-22 (10 years ago, just for the record) and when I got a part time job working for the federal government as a student I continued to get my cheque and benefits, it's just that my cheque was deducted a certain amount. It was definitely worth it to get the experience and still have the safety net.
posted by aclevername at 10:51 PM on June 8, 2011

ODSP has return to work programs, will help you find & get into training - that you won't have to pay for. You will probably need some training as a dental office assistant. You should ask the receptionists at your local dental offices what training they have and where they got it - they will know best.

Your worker will be able to connect you to programs, especially if you know the names or characteristics of the ones you want.

As someone up thread said, you'll be able to keep your drug benefits and your cheque will only be reduced a fraction of your take-home pay for at least a while (until you make more than your ODSP).

Your credit rating likely doesn't have to be perfect or even very good.

Good luck to you!
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 4:59 AM on June 9, 2011

From the OP:

Thank you everyone for excellent suggestions, I find them all helpful and I'll let you know how things go. Thanks again!

posted by jessamyn at 11:57 AM on June 9, 2011