Alberta Work Alone Safety Solution

I was on alberta works for 5 months and for the first 3 months I never got a payment. They filled out all my file information wrong from bank account to home address. Every employee I have talked to is very rude and unproffesional. They blamed me for my information being wrong and still won't pay me for the first 3 months. One time when I called: the worker used the word "dumb" when I told them my correct information. Today I got off the phone with a worker in tears because he was yelling at me the entire time.

I've been on social assistance for about 4 months now and it has been impossible to be in contact with my case worker. I'll call her and leave a voicemail and she will never get back to me. When I first was approved I was told that I would get more monthly once my psychiatrist gave me a note stating that I was in need of assistance until I can hopfully get on AISH for my mental illnesses. I sent her my note, and brought it up with her and she just said "ya, ya. Okay". My first two months were extremely late and I was late on rent. When I call the head office I just get told that there's nothing they can do and that they'll transfer me to my worker, when I know she won't answer and I'll probably never receive a call back. My last call to her was about a month ago, asking about the raise in funds and updating her on a number change, and she never called back.

I recently found myself in a situation where I was unable to make ends meet. I had no idea how the system worked or how they could help. I made several phone calls and two personal visits to the Office. All Staff were very friendly and professional and I received information on what support was in Calgary. I am very thankful for the service I received as I was so uncomfortable with needing the help. They sincerely did everything possible and then some. The atmosphere has a calming quality about it. Cheers to all the staff for a job well done. Thank you

Well the only way to be able to get ahold of the worker I was assigned to was phoning her supervisor to find out was going on, because I have an injured foot and can't work right now. Also the worker that is assigned to me went on vacation and whoever is covering her caseload has not called me back when I have done what was asked of me do I have no money for rent/food and I had too go above their head to go to a supervisor to find out what is going on now and before as well. It would be great if I could get the help I need to help my foot heal and not be frustrated, angry and in pain. Also by the worker by phoning me back, because I feel disrespected.

Terribly nasty horrible workers. I have never been made to feel so small in my whole life. I had to work up the courage to even go to assistance for help, my everyone kept telling me after working for the last 27 years and not ever collecting assistance or unemployment in my life, that I shouldn't be ashamed to go there for that reason and the fact my bad situation was not even my fault, and would only need help for 3 months max and I desperately needed an emergency check. I was not helped at all with an emergency check and was told I could get only $426 from them but not until I jumped through a million hoops first. But it was the way I was treated, the way she made me feel inhuman,belittled and so small, its was so horrible, I cried the whole way home and I actually feel sick to my stomach from this experience.

My intake here was positive. I was surprised to learn I was eligible for income support, the wait times were not too bad despite showing up without an appointment and I was treated professionally by two workers on separate occasions. Today my worker was not available so I called the main office to simply inquire about payment schedules. I was barely able to tell them my worker's name before it sounded like I was put on hold apparently to transfer me to them but after complaining about this the same person immediately came back on the line. I was asked for my file number which I do not have recorded. I tried to simply state that my question was general and did not pertain to me specifically and I would speak to anyone however the woman talked over me and demanded my SIN. Ignoring the fact that you are not supposed to give your Social Insurance Number over the phone and do not ever have to use it to identify yourself I said I would go look for it and apparently she did not like my tone so suggested she would not be able to help me if I gave her an attitude. This was invalidating and after recent similar experiences with customer service representatives my patience was at an end. Unfortunately I pressed the wrong key on my phone and did not hang up before this person received quite an earful. Now this is a minor inconvenience however I am left feeling guilty for expressing my frustration and after reading reviews here I am anxious about the service I will receive in the future.

I have been trying to contact my main care worker for a week now and if by the end of the month my welfare doesn’t come in I will be in some hot water metaphorically. So I called the front desk today hoping that I could get them to transfer me to him or worst case I could wait on hold till he was able to speak to me. I spoke with to people at the front desk who acted like I had offended them for even calling and it was no concern of there’s to help me and kept ignoring the fact that I have been leaving messages for a week now. One lady even went as far as to raise her voice and start hollering and interrupt me, repeating what seemed to be her the only thing she was willing to say on the matter was that calls will be returned in two business days. Choosing to completely ignore me when I would repeat myself that I have been waiting for a week for a call back. I have nothing to say except are government agents exempt for the what goes around comes around clause.

I called Alberta Works for help ... After I phoned shelters , called social assistance , and all other avenues to get shelter for my wife and kids and I was hung up on over the phone twice ... I will say they did help with accomodations for a few nights of which I am thankful for . But for the to hang up , that's not right ... I wasn't rude or confrontational .