Each week we will post a summary of interesting and representative 211 calls. This week, we have a connection from Manitoba.

Manitoba:

Losing a job at any time can be extremely stressful; being terminated while someone is ill and depending on extended benefits through their job can be devastating. When the unexpected happens, people can speak with 211 Service Navigators who will help them come up with options to deal with their situation.

A 211 Service Navigator took a call from an individual who had just had her employment terminated. She was on long term disability, and had been informed that her disability would be permanent. She was receiving income from Canada Pension Plan – Disability, but that had been supplemented by her insurance through her work.

She had been informed that her contract was being ended, as she would not be able to return to work; therefore, her health insurance was being ended, reducing her income by half. The caller was looking for any sort of assistance to help her situation.

The Service Navigator and the caller discussed the problem in depth for quite some time. He went through what she had already done, and looked up any and all possible programs that might assist her.

The Service Navigator suggested that while she was trying to figure out a way to get her disability insurance back, that she could rent out a room in her home. He put her in touch with an organization that could help with that. That could possibly bring in some extra income. He gave her some details and contact information of Employment and Income Assistance (EIA); she could see if she would be eligible for any assistance through them. Finally, he also recommended contacting Legal Aid and Employment Standards to see if there had been any breach of law by firing her due to her no longer being able to return to work and with regard to ending her insurance.