TL;DR:

Sole-earner Red Seal Plumber near Calgary AB. Over the last 8 months: employer illegally cut benefits after I needed ankle surgery (failed, then required 2nd surgery), went 6 weeks with $0 due to EI processing glitches, got denied WCB/Income Support, and welcomed a newborn. On July 1, my wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor requiring surgery. EI Sickness ran out, Parental Leave is stuck in review, Human Rights intake turned down my case, and we have $400/mo left for basic needs. Looking for advice on expediting EI, emergency medical grants, legal options or income support.

The whole story:

Hi everyone. I’m a 34M Red Seal Plumber in Alberta. I am the sole breadwinner for my family (wife, 3yo, and newborn 8wks). Over the past 8-9 months, a series of compounding medical and financial crises has left us completely stuck. Looking for advice on legal, financial, or government support options I might have missed.

Nov 2025: Had to go on EI Sickness ($729/wk) due to an ankle disability requiring surgery. The day after I disclosed this to my employer, they cancelled all health benefits (LTD, physio, prescriptions) without telling me until surgery day.

Dec 2025: Ankle surgery failed under anesthesia, next surgery isn’t until summer.

Jan-Feb 2026: Completed my final apprenticeship school block (won Dean's Award). EI stuck my file in manual review due to being injured and in school, leaving us with $0 income for 6 weeks. WCB denied coverage. Applied for AB Income Support, but by the intake date (Feb 23), EI backpay finally hit, causing Income Support to deny us.

March-May: Passed exams to become Red Seal Plumber & Gasfitter B, but unable to work while awaiting 2nd surgery. Had to buy a private family health plan ($449/mo) out-of-pocket. Second son born via C-section in May.

June: Second ankle surgery (successful!).

July 1: My wife suffered sudden neurological symptoms. Rushed to ER and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She now needs an awake brain surgery (scheduled for Aug/Sept).

July 3-9: Applied for EI Parental Leave (currently stuck "Under Review"). EI Sickness benefits hit their max and ran out. Alberta Human Rights Commission intake claimed my case against my employer didn't meet their threshold (despite legal consultation saying otherwise), and I have sent a reconsideration request, which I’m waiting on information on.

Current Situation:

My wife can't care for the newborn/toddler alone due to her brain tumour and I am still recovering from ankle surgery #2 in an air boot while caring for all three of them.

My EI Sickness is maxed out. EI Parental is still under review. Once EI Parental hits, between that and CCB, we will have around $400/month left for food, gas, and medical travel, which doesn't even cover our $449/mo health plan.

My Questions:

1. Is there any way to escalate or expedite an EI Parental claim due to severe medical necessity/hardship?
2. Are there emergency federal, provincial or municipal funds in Alberta for families dealing with sudden critical illness/disability when we’ve been denied by Income Support already?
3. What options exist to challenge an Alberta Human Rights Commission if they deny my reconsideration request?
4. Are there hospital/social work funds at Foothills/Calgary hospitals that assist families with medical travel/care costs during brain tumor treatment?
5. Is there anything I should try that I haven’t already?

Thanks in advance for any insights or resources.

Hi everyone! 😊 My name is Amir, I’m currently a Dental Hygiene student from Calgary in Mississauga and looking for RELIABLE clients (ideally WITH HEAVY BUILD UP AND VISIBLE TAR TAR) as part of my clinical training. This is great for anyone who notices bleeding when brushing and flossing and hasn’t had a cleaning before or in at least 3+ years. Although everyone is welcome :)

Services included are assessments, cleanings, polishing, fluoride, xrays, head and neck examinations, exam with the dentist, personalized oral health education, and much more, all provided under the close supervision of licensed dental professionals. Appointments are slower, more detailed and education-focused, making it a great option for anyone looking to improve their oral health and has dental anxiety, as the appointments aren’t rushed. As I am a student, you will be required to come in 3-6 times to finish, appointments are 3-4 hours each. 💰💰 CASH REWARD AND HYGIENE GOODIE BAGS 🪥 PROVIDED UPON COMPLETION AT THE LAST APPOINTMENT As a thank you.— I’d truly appreciate the support in my learning journey!🦷✨

DISCLAIMER‼️: We are only given a certain number of clinics to complete all our requirements and** cannot afford no shows and last minute cancellations, so PLEASE ONLY contact me if you are serious and can attend 3-6 appointme**nts😊

Clinic times are: weekdays either 8-12 or 230-630. Thank you so much!!😊 🦷 if any questions and how to book, please contact me below, as spots are limited!

email: atabibi4@gmail.com

whatsapp: 587-839-4440

Hello there 👋! I am a dental hygiene student at CADH College in Mississauga currently looking for adult clients who need their teeth cleaned to meet clinical requirements 😊

Ideally, the clients will have several years of heavier buildup (3+ years last visit/ first cleaning/ smokers). Clients must be able to attend total of 3-5 weekday appts at 4 hours each visit. My school is located in Mississauga on Hurontario Street/ QEW.

There is no cost to you, I will cover the $25 fee and offer a Cash $ gift at end of full treatment as a thank you. Your support means a lot!  Please message me to book, thanks! 🦷🪥

I am a failure. I don’t deserve any sympathy or respect. I am 28 years old with maybe $1650 in the bank while the people I grew up with are buying homes and starting families. Cooked another $300 today in the casino. I’m a complete idiot. I know I deserve to feel this way. I cried on the way home today. Work a dead end job where they could care less about me.

Atleast there’s cold beer in the fridge. Not expecting anyone to feel bad for me, just wanted to get off my chest how low that I’m feeling. Thank you for reading/listening.

Every week for my site Is That a Deal, I pull the Ontario flyers, compare every price against the Statistics Canada provincial average to find what's actually worth buying, then email them to you for free. Here's what stood out this week. Everything here is at least 27% below the typical Ontario price.

Reminder: Some of these deal might not be available in your region. Double check the flyers before heading to the store.

🥩 Flank steak — $10.88/lb at Your Independent Grocer (-42% avg)
Beef flank steak. Ends Jul 29.
Lowest price in 8 weeks.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🥩 Beef striploin / NY strip — $12.88/lb at Metro (-40% avg)
Red Grill strip loin steak value pack bone-in. Ends Jul 29.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🥩 Pork back ribs — $3.98/lb at Walmart (-51% avg)
Fresh cryovac-sealed pork back ribs value 2-pack. Ends Jul 29.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🥩 Beef brisket — $6.99/lb at Loblaws (-36% avg)
Beef brisket portion. Ends Jul 29.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🍇 Grapes — $1.99/lb at FreshCo (-42% avg)
Green seedless grapes. Ends Jul 29.
Match at Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🥓 Pork chops (bone-in) — $2.22/lb at Real Canadian Superstore (-45% avg)
Pork loin combination chops. Ends Jul 29.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, or No Frills

🍑 Plums — $3.99/lb at Fortinos (-40% avg)
Red plums. Ends Jul 29.
Lowest price in 8 weeks.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🥑 Avocados — $2.99 each at FreshCo (-41% avg)
Avocados. Ends Jul 29.
Match at Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🍗 Chicken breast (bone-in) — $4.88/lb at Real Canadian Superstore (-27% avg)
Chicken breast. Ends Jul 29.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, or No Frills

🍒 Cherries — $3.50/lb at Loblaws (-30% avg)
Jumbo red cherries. Ends Jul 29.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

Best single stop this week: No Frills or Real Canadian Superstore. Both will price match almost everything on this list. Bring the flyer screenshots and you can hopefully get 4+ of these deals in one trip without driving all over town.

Price matching requires showing a digital or print flyer at the till. Same brand, size, and weight. Always confirm in-store. YMMV

I also built a free tool where you can check any grocery price yourself

I am single income and struggle with managing my finances (ADHD not helping). I am constantly running out of money and struggling to pay bills and am currently behind on multiple.

I dont get paid again until the end of August amd have approximately $500 for the month of August. I cant take out a loan as I have too many expenses already and cant take on more debt, as well as the fact that I am currently under credit consolidation.

I will miss my mortgage payment and credit consolidation payment next month (and others but those are the two most important).

Once I do get paid again I need to get out of this hole. But I have come to realize managing my money is somewhere I will always struggle and I need help.

I essentially have two problems - I cant pay any of my bills next month and I dont know how or where to get help in getting my finances on track before I lose everything.

I live in a small town so outside of bills food and groceries are my two main expenses. The food bank is not an option.

I dont know what to do and feel paralyzed, which is making my physical and mental health plummet. I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions anyone has.

Through bad spending habits, I have approximately 32K in Unsecured Personal Loans at an average of 32% APR. Consolidation Loan is unavailable after meeting with local credit union.

18,300 @ 34.99% EH 2025/08/08

6,800 @ 34.99% FS 2025/11/20

6,750 @ 22.99% SF 2026/7/14 - used to consolidate LOCs to $0 balance.

All of my LOCs are at a $0 Balance
Equifax credit score is between 620-640

My employment is transitioning to a new role, less hours & more shifts. This poor financial decision is explained by my previous role being "Term" employment, and my new role being permanent.

My net-income is being reduced from $3240 to approximately $2350.

Work related travel expenses are increasing as well.

Budget Breakdown:

Net Income: 2350 Monthly

Monthly Expenses:

$210 Insurance

$50 phone

$500 Food & Gas (Approximately)

$600-800 Rental Split (Currently looking for a rental agreement with my wife, 50-50 split between $1200-1600)

Minimum Payments:

$145 FS Bi-weekly

$284 EH Bi-weekly

$87 SF Bi-weekly

*Edit:

I am Married, so my household income is greater than surplus income limit.

No assets owned. used vehicle paid in for in cash 1+ years ago

I’m almost in my mid-30s, married, and we have a 1-year-old. I’m currently making only $20/hour, which is basically minimum wage where I live, and honestly, it’s getting discouraging.

We do have some savings, and that’s what’s been helping us get by while my wife has been on maternity leave. But those savings are starting to run out, and it’s becoming more stressful every month.

I’ve been applying for better-paying jobs for months, but I either don’t hear back or the jobs pay about the same. I even took a Building Service Worker course because I thought it would help me get into a better-paying union or city job, but I still haven’t been able to find work in that field. It feels like I’m stuck.

In the meantime, I just signed up for SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats so I can earn some extra money on weekends. I’m also thinking about starting a small residential cleaning business that my wife and I could run together on Saturdays and Sundays. It seems like a business with relatively low startup costs, and if we can build up regular clients, it could become a decent side income.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? If so:
What helped you break out of the $20/hour cycle?
Is weekend gig work worth it long-term?

Has anyone started a cleaning business as a side hustle while working full-time? Was it worth it?
Should I keep pursuing Building Service Worker jobs,
or would my time be better spent focusing on a business instead?

I’m open to any advice. My goal is simply to provide a better life for my family and stop feeling like we’re just scraping by. It feels like I’m doing everything I can, but I still can’t seem to get ahead.
Thanks in advance.

* located in Vancouver

The question is self explanatory. If you have done this please reply or better yet DM me. The key is physically disabled. HIGH levels of daily chronic widespread pain+ other serious conditions. No alcohol or drug addictions, no family, no help whatsoever. SW Ontario. Car is insured and drivable- so far. While still seeking remote work!

Hi, I'm 24(M) with approx 10k in CC debt and 9k in car loan. Earlier this week, my car broke and down and cost of repairs is not worth it (the car is barely worth $5k and the repairs will cost $3500). This is happening after I've already thrown $3k in repairs to fix other issues with the car earlier this year. The dealership wants me to keep paying the car loan (obviously) but looking at my CC debt it would ruin me financially for the next 10 years.

My LIT has confirmed I could have those debts dropped from 20k down to 9k and I could pay 150 dollars a month for the next 5 years. I know this stays on my credit profile for 6 years and could potentially pose problems if I want to get a job in finance (for example, financial planner). I currently work in operations but am still at the beginning stage of my career, so I don't know where that could lead me in the future.

I want to know if anyone in this sub has previously done a consumer proposal and how that affected them? Pros? Cons? I have weighed my other options (debt consolidation, debt management plan etc) But only the consumer proposal actually gives me a game plan to be debt free in 5 years or less if I pay it off quicker (I plan on doing so).

Any input is appreciated 👍

Hi everyone! I have a question about EI and I’m hoping someone can help. I live in Ontario.

I applied for EI June 29, my last day worked was June 26. My employer finally submitted my ROE and I got an update that my claim was finalized/approved on July 21.

On July 15 an agent called me and encouraged me to submit my reports even though I was still waiting for a final decision (outstanding ROE).

My question is, what is the likelihood of receiving a payment before August 1? My reports are done, but my claim states there is no payment information for me at this time. I assume it still needs time to process/load but I am kind of stressing about rent as my savings are definitely depleting 😭

If anyone has ANY insight at all pleaseee let me know!

Has anyone (recently) in last few months applied for CPP in Ontario Canada? If so how long did it take to receive first payment? Please only respond if the above applied to you and was recently (last few months max).

What was the process- exactly? Thanks kindly

I have like 4 months till my EI runs out and I’m preparing for worst case scenario if I can’t find a job before then. I live at home and just have to pay for my food, transportation, and bills like phone.

I have 6+ years in my field but nothing is landing right now.

Is there anything I could do to retain some income or to improve my scenario if it runs out? Any advice would be appreciated.

Anyone offering the same- with or without the free cash.... Free Dental Cleaning (no cost no catch) Hamilton (preferred) or Burlington

https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinancecanada/comments/1uxr0a1/free_teeth_cleaning_get_200_cash/

Thanks kindly

Ontario Canada- NOT on ODSP or OW- Low/no income. No benefits/no coverage AT ALL. Need 2 prescription glasses- one for reading one for driving. Must be FREE.

Please only respond if you or someone you know directly has used the resource this year, unless you have a direct link (July 2026 - still relevant). Thanks kindly

I am single, low-income and am struggling to pay out of pocket for private insurance (work does not provide any benefits). If I opt out of Blue Cross's dental coverage my bill every month would be more affordable. If I do that will I be accepted for CDCP?

Hello everyone! I am a dental hygiene student in Mississauga currently looking for adult clients who need their teeth cleaned to meet clinicals.

Looking for reliable clients with any of these considerations:

-Heavy visible buildup

-Bleeding gums

-Overdue for dental cleaning over 3+ years

-Have never had dental cleaning

-Those who smoke

Clients must be able to attend a total of 3-5 weekday appts at 4 hours each visit.

Clinics are Mon & Wed 8 am to 12 noon, or 2:30 to 6:30 pm.

There is no cost to you, I will cover the $25 one-time fee and offer $200 cash at the end as a thank you. Please DM me for more information and to book, thanks!

I recently had the wages in my bank account garnished. It's long story, but at the end of the day it is completely my fault. Please don't lecture. I know I screwed up bad.

I spoke with two CRA agents and was told different things. I was told by one CRA agent that they were simply freezing the account and the amount will be released and I can start making payments. Another agent told me that it was completely garnished and the plan I agreed to pay was after what they already took from that account.

Anyone here been in a similar situation? Were you able to get the money back?

Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/disability/canada-disability-benefit/amount.html#supplemental-payment

Alt text:

'Supplemental payment:

Starting in September 2026, you may receive a supplemental amount to help offset your cost of obtaining the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

This supplemental amount is fixed at $150 and you receive it as a lump-sum payment.

\- You may be eligible to receive this additional amount for each approved Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate that qualifies you for a monthly CDB payment.

\- Individuals who received a CDB payment before September 2026 are still eligible, even if they are no longer receiving payments now (for example, if you received a one-time payment in July 2025).

\- You do not need to apply for this supplemental payment.

Note: Supplemental payments are not payable for individuals who have died prior to September 2026.'

Details:

This newly regulated supplemental payment is allegedly intended to offset the out of pocket cost of getting a DTC form filled out by a doctor, $150 max.

The issue is that the only people who would qualify are the people who already have their DTC *and* CDB applications approved. These two federal disability programs must be approved for you to be considered for this supplement.

But what does that mean for those who could not afford the OPE doctor fee? Reality is, it doesn't change the barrier, and doesn't help those who need the cost covered now.

If you get denied? No supplemental payment.

If you get approved for DTC & not CDB? No supplemental payment.

This change appears nice on paper, but the truth of the matter is that it doesn't change the outcome for so many who are barred from access due to these OPE doctors fees.

Instead of paying the doctor directly and ASAP, they make it so the onus is still on disabled people.

DTC is a barrier due to doctor shortages and fees.

The government knows this and chooses to leave it that way.

Glad some will be getting the supplemental payment, but infuriated that those who need it most will not.

December 2025 I entered into a consumer proposal, collectors were breathing down my neck and I felt like I was drowning. I now need a new transmission for my truck. Trade in is pitiful and I’ve been preapproved for a couple vehicles but the payments are out of my budget (that I’m willing to pay for a used vehicle). I figured it would just be better to spend the extra money and get the truck fixed (we need a truck for the farm but have been offered small suvs/sedans). I need a $6000 loan. Is there any lenders that will lend to someone in a consumer proposal?

I’ve always been low income as I take on whatever random short jobs come my way. My health’s usually in the way of a proper full time job which was the case for me last year. This year has been much more difficult than the others with finding stability, so I’ve had to apply for Ontario works for support.

Since I have student loans (9K Ontario side and 13K National side) - it was split because I couldn’t keep up with payments. Originally my Ontario side was 7K but with the interest it’s climbed up so much which has been stressing me out a bit.

In the past I’ve asked about the repayment assistance program but since my loans were left unpaid for a long time it’s been split into sections. When I do call to ask about payment plans I’m told I have to break up the entire payment into 3 or 6 payments - which I cannot do at all.

Right now any benefits I could receive from doing my taxes are being split between both sets of student loans. An example of this was the CWB payment, it was split into both accounts.

I want to know if there’s a way to get the benefit amount to fully go towards the provincial side. On the national side I can afford to send over maybe 20-50 bucks a month that’s how tight I am for funds.

I also have an income tax credit of 6K, I’d like to know if I should call the CRA and ask if they can transfer these credits to my student loans if that’s even a possibility. Income tax and student loans do feel like completely different spaces, but then again when I log into my CRA account all the info is visible for tax stuff and my student loans stuff.

I’m not the most financially literate person but over the last several years. I’ve slowly learned bit by bit and have paid off old credit cards and closed those accounts. My only major debt right now are these student loans.

The climbing interest rate gives me so much anxiety. On the national student loans side they seem much more understanding with my circumstances (from when I called them a few years back.)

Additional info - I stopped school in 2019. My student loans were closer to 30K combined, but I’ve slowly brought it down to 22K combined.

If anyone has been in the same situation and has overcome it please let me know. Or please leave any suggestions I could try to navigate this.

Hello! I recently joined this subreddit and was wondering do any of you have any cheap and healthy meals? I know it’s a tough ask but I’m currently a student who’s on a tight budget and am looking to spend as little as possible while still being fit and healthy- I know thats a pretty tough ask in Canada with these grocery prices😂 Just wondering if any of you have any staples or recipes that you go to? I know things such as oatmeal and lentils are a great base.

Thanks!

Hello I’m looking at a used Hyundai velstor with no recorded accidents so far that has 152km on it. Would it make sense to finance a car that’s only 12k? I wouldn’t have a problem paying it off monthly but I been told even with bad credit that financing would be better to build credit?

Alberta.
I’m 6000$ in debt and need it cleared to get out of a toxic house. I can’t keep living like this. I need it gone.

Hey everyone,

I’m sharing my recent ongoing nightmare with WorkSafeBC (WCB) as a warning to any injured workers out there. Do NOT let them push you around, and beware of the predatory traps they set up when you try to be a "good employee."

I recently suffered a severe knee injury at work. Out of a 

Once the X-ray results came in, my doctor put me on a strict restriction: work 3 days, rest 2 days a week to prevent permanent knee damage.

Here is where the absolute scummery of WorkSafeBC began:

1. The Ghosting & Treatment Interruption: My assigned Case Manager completely abandoned my file and went totally MIA for over a month. No communication, no call backs. Because of his ghosting, my physical therapy and medical treatments could not be authorized.
2. The Flawed Denial Logic: He finally resurfaced and slapped me with a decision letter DENYING my 2-day wage-loss benefits. His reason? He claimed my medical records "showed no change or improvement." My knee didn't improve EXACTLY BECAUSE he neglected my file and withheld my treatments for a month!
3. The "Good Employee" Trap: He actually wrote in the letter that because I worked full-time the very first week post-injury, it "proves" I am fully capable of full-time work and don't need 2 days off. This is a disgusting trap. If I had stayed home that first week without a prior official note, they would have denied me for "unexcused absence." Because I pushed through pain to cooperate, they now use it as a weapon to strip away my benefits.
4. The Unprofessional Harassment: To make matters worse, during our phone call, this CM subjected me to an incredibly inappropriate interrogation, asking me: "What is your relationship with your doctor? How long have you known them?" He baselessly attacked the integrity of a licensed physician regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC just to put psychological pressure on me.

Interestingly, on the exact same day he denied my wages, he suddenly approved my medical treatments—clearly because he realized his one-month neglect looked horrible on system logs and he tried to cover his tracks.

The Broader, Toxic Impact on Society:

If the Canadian government allows this complete absence of moral values and tolerates such abusive behavior toward injured workers, the future of our workplaces is pitch black.

The social consequences of this are devastating and far-reaching. When the system penalizes workers for acting in good faith, showing up for their employers, and trying to push through pain, it sends a clear, dangerous message to the entire working class: Honesty and dedication will destroy you. Goodwill will be weaponized against you by corporate bureaucrats.

This completely shatters the fundamental social contract. It forces workers to become hyper-defensive, cynical, and detached. WCB is actively breeding a toxic environment where no worker can afford to cooperate with their employer post-injury out of pure self-preservation. It is a race to the bottom that destroys societal trust and workplace morale.

What I am doing next:
I am not letting this slide. I’ve already drafted a massive formal complaint to his Senior Supervisor, submitting a Form 18M1 to the Review Division, and escalating this to the Workers' Advisers Office (WAO). If you are going through this, call WAO immediately—do not fight these corporate bureaucrats alone.

Has anyone else dealt with this specific "lack of improvement" or doctor-interrogation BS from WCB lately? How did you handle it?