By Kendall Worth!
Roy is a welfare recipient who approached me over a week ago to provide his story. As many of you may remember, I have written many posts on inappropriate body language. Roy asked me during the interview if I would make arrangements to introduce him to others I have interviewed on this topic, as he has issues with this himself. The problem, I told Roy, is I do not have phone numbers or E-mail addresses where I can contact most of the people I write about. They do not have phones or access to Social Media.
Roy's situation on welfare!
Roy gets the $950.00 standard household rate and he gets a housing subsidy of $285.00 a month. His rent is $900.00 a month. Means his rent is after Subtracting $285.00 = $615.00 a month. The only special needs allowance he gets is the $40.00 telephone allowance. His cellphone bill starting in June is $53.74 a month. Before June he was paying $47.99 a month for his cellphone. He has to pay anything above $40.00 out of the remaining $335.00 after rent is paid. Then he pays $80.00 a month for power = $255.00 for Food and other essentials. Roy finds himself going to the Soup-Kitchens and Drop-ins at least 4 times a week. Roy cannot work due to disabilities and medical issues. He is hoping that someday he can get back into the workforce.
During the interview he mentioned how he relates to my past stories about inappropriate body language. Roy specifically referenced this article where I talk about Joe. Roy says he feels thte same as Joe, who said, in that article:
“Leave him alone! He said it loud enough that everyone could hear him. He said “this is harassment! Stop!” But the good news is he kept himself from physically assaulting the Security Guards, which might have brought a lot more trouble”
During the interview Roy told me that, like Joe, what frustrates him ,are the issues arising time and time again when the police and/or private security approach him because others have complained that they do not feel comfortable with his behaviour. As a result, these days he leaves his apartment only to do important things like get food and attend medical appointments.
Like Joe, Roy pointed out that he knows and understands the importance of remaining calm, cool and collected, when getting approached, while he is just minding his own business and not causing trouble.
Roy told me that it is his dream to get off welfare someday, but easier said than done. Like most, in Roy’s experience, nothing is easy when you live in poverty.
Lets hope miracles will someday happen.
Comments
Post a Comment