Who's Going to Hire Me?
August 8, 2011 9:28 AM Subscribe
Who's going to hire me?
I have been on ODSP for a psychiatric disbility for three years now, even though I have had this condition, and not worked, for 15 years.
I used to receive $1000 a month for all my needs, including rent. To add insult to injury, they have now decided to take my "special diet"allowance of $185 away. According to the new rules, I no longer qualify.
Trying to survive well below the poverty line is making my mental health worse, not better. So I would like to try to go back to work. But who's going to hire me? I have been out of the work force for 15 years, don't have a resume, and am not entirely sure that I CAN hold down a job. I contacted my ODSP caseworker and was told that they no longer pay to upgrade one's education, nor do they offer any job placement assistance. Sigh.
She said if I'm "job ready" they can help me contact a job placement agency. That's a big help. (sarcasm)
So I don't know what to do, where to start, who to turn to. I feel stuck in "the system" with no way out.
I mean, what am I going to say to a potential employer? "There's a fifteen year gap in my (nonesistent) resume because I had a mental breakdown?"
Help?
BTW, I'm in Toronto, female, and I would take pretty much any job... within reason.
I have been on ODSP for a psychiatric disbility for three years now, even though I have had this condition, and not worked, for 15 years.
I used to receive $1000 a month for all my needs, including rent. To add insult to injury, they have now decided to take my "special diet"allowance of $185 away. According to the new rules, I no longer qualify.
Trying to survive well below the poverty line is making my mental health worse, not better. So I would like to try to go back to work. But who's going to hire me? I have been out of the work force for 15 years, don't have a resume, and am not entirely sure that I CAN hold down a job. I contacted my ODSP caseworker and was told that they no longer pay to upgrade one's education, nor do they offer any job placement assistance. Sigh.
She said if I'm "job ready" they can help me contact a job placement agency. That's a big help. (sarcasm)
So I don't know what to do, where to start, who to turn to. I feel stuck in "the system" with no way out.
I mean, what am I going to say to a potential employer? "There's a fifteen year gap in my (nonesistent) resume because I had a mental breakdown?"
Help?
BTW, I'm in Toronto, female, and I would take pretty much any job... within reason.
She said if I'm "job ready" they can help me contact a job placement agency. That's a big help. (sarcasm)
Not being snarky: why is that not going to help?
posted by Think_Long at 9:35 AM on August 8, 2011
Not being snarky: why is that not going to help?
posted by Think_Long at 9:35 AM on August 8, 2011
Not being snarky: why is that not going to help?
Because the OP clearly doesn't feel "job ready", and yet there are no or few funds or services to help the OP attain that state.
posted by rtha at 9:38 AM on August 8, 2011 [2 favorites]
Because the OP clearly doesn't feel "job ready", and yet there are no or few funds or services to help the OP attain that state.
posted by rtha at 9:38 AM on August 8, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: You need what is called "vocational rehabilitation". Here's a link to a provider. Even if they can't help you--many of their clients are funded by insurance--they can point you to who can.
posted by valkyryn at 9:42 AM on August 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by valkyryn at 9:42 AM on August 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Have you considered contacting Toronto area Goodwill? They have programs that find workplaces for people with various mental and physical challenges.
posted by sswiller at 9:45 AM on August 8, 2011
posted by sswiller at 9:45 AM on August 8, 2011
You don't have to say specifically why you weren't working. You can imply you were a homemaker, for instance. "I was fortunate enough to not need to work for a number of years. However, I've decided I'd like some additional income."
And as to jobs, you can try the usual suspects - waiting tables, cleaning houses, pet sitting, house sitting - to get back into the swing of things. They usually don't care too much about your past work experience for those jobs, and you can actually make pretty good money. You might also consider doing a little volunteer work. You'll be helping people, and you can make good contacts.
posted by MexicanYenta at 9:46 AM on August 8, 2011 [4 favorites]
And as to jobs, you can try the usual suspects - waiting tables, cleaning houses, pet sitting, house sitting - to get back into the swing of things. They usually don't care too much about your past work experience for those jobs, and you can actually make pretty good money. You might also consider doing a little volunteer work. You'll be helping people, and you can make good contacts.
posted by MexicanYenta at 9:46 AM on August 8, 2011 [4 favorites]
You would qualify for OSAP if you wanted to go back to school. Yes, the majority of it is loans but if you train for a job that has good prospects (healthcare always seems to be a good field) you will be able to pay off the loans in smalll monthly payments on your increased income when you graduate. While you are in school fulltime (defined as +60% of a full courseload I believe) you keep your ODSP AND any money you earn at any job.
Look also at the services for newcomers funded by the CIC, I am north of you but our newcomer services are actaully available for all and pretty comprehensive.
You should also stop by Progress Place on Church because I believe a big part of their philosophy is mathcing people with mental health issues up with community services.
posted by saucysault at 10:24 AM on August 8, 2011
Look also at the services for newcomers funded by the CIC, I am north of you but our newcomer services are actaully available for all and pretty comprehensive.
You should also stop by Progress Place on Church because I believe a big part of their philosophy is mathcing people with mental health issues up with community services.
posted by saucysault at 10:24 AM on August 8, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you everyone for your replies. What I suffer from is PTSD (post-traumatic stress). I have been to Progress Place, didn't find it very helpful.
I was not aware of "vocational rehabilitation" - I'll definitley look into that, thank you.
I also like the idea of volunteering - sometimes that can lead to a paying job.
While the babysitting/housesitting etc sounds good, my fear is that if they know about my PTSD they might misunderstand the condition and think I'm ïnsane or dangerous or something like that... and I wouldn't feel right not telling them.
I didn't realize how almost impossible it is to get out of "the system"once you're in it.
Thanks again everyone - I appreciate it.
posted by iNurtureTheOdd at 11:29 AM on August 8, 2011
I was not aware of "vocational rehabilitation" - I'll definitley look into that, thank you.
I also like the idea of volunteering - sometimes that can lead to a paying job.
While the babysitting/housesitting etc sounds good, my fear is that if they know about my PTSD they might misunderstand the condition and think I'm ïnsane or dangerous or something like that... and I wouldn't feel right not telling them.
I didn't realize how almost impossible it is to get out of "the system"once you're in it.
Thanks again everyone - I appreciate it.
posted by iNurtureTheOdd at 11:29 AM on August 8, 2011
Response by poster: Oh and I'm looking into the OSAP option too... thank you.
posted by iNurtureTheOdd at 11:30 AM on August 8, 2011
posted by iNurtureTheOdd at 11:30 AM on August 8, 2011
No advice, but I just wanted to say thanks for posting your question. I'm in the same sittuation as you are and have favourited this post.
posted by MelanieL at 3:18 PM on August 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by MelanieL at 3:18 PM on August 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by pickypicky at 9:34 AM on August 8, 2011