Rick Stiebel/B次元官网网址 Gazette staff
Although dealing with cancer has been quite a challenge for Ellen Phillipson, the time endured struggling to survive without a pay cheque has also caused significant duress.
B次元官网网址淚 think in some ways IB次元官网网址檝e been more stressed about my finances than the chemo,B次元官网网址� said the View Royal resident.
B次元官网网址淣ot only do you have to fight for your life, you have to fight to survive.B次元官网网址�
A diagnosis of stage one breast cancer on December 22, 2016 resulted in a mastectomy on January 19 of this year, followed by rounds of chemotherapy that began on March 22.
Phillipson, who has worked all of her life B次元官网网址� the past 10 years as a room attendant at a Langford hotel B次元官网网址� was not prepared to be without a pay cheque for an extended period.
B次元官网网址淚n a matter of weeks my life was flipped upside down,B次元官网网址� she noted. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e only allowed 15 weeks when youB次元官网网址檙e on medical EI, and I was still undergoing chemo when that ran out in April,B次元官网网址� Phillipson said.
She soon found out her options were limited to collecting social assistance, or trying to access short-term disability through her Canada Pension Plan once her employment insurance payments ceased.
When she found out that process can take three to four months, she applied for social assistance in June, which provides $610 a month. Her application for CPP short-term disability, which she submitted in June, was turned down last week. She said the reason given is that she doesnB次元官网网址檛 have whatB次元官网网址檚 considered a severe or prolonged medical condition.
Severe disability payments are approved when there is a mental or physical condition that prevents a return to work for an extended period. Prolonged payments are approved when the time away from work is likely to be long-term and of indefinite duration, or likely to result in death, Phillipson explained. She could appeal the decision, but that could take another three months, and she hopes to be back to work before that.
B次元官网网址淚f I didnB次元官网网址檛 have roommates I would have been homeless or living in my momB次元官网网址檚 basement,B次元官网网址� she noted. She is also on the hook for the cost of some of the medications she needs because not all are covered through the Medical Services Plan. As it is now, she will have to take hormone therapy medication for the rest of her life.
B次元官网网址淵ou work your whole life, have a good steady job and a good wage,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really scary how fast the money goes when thereB次元官网网址檚 none coming in.B次元官网网址�
Phillipson is grateful she received a $5,000 grant from the which assists hotel and hospitality workers in crises. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know what I would have done without their help.B次元官网网址�
Phillipson, 53, is adamant about wanting to share a word of caution with people who may find themselves in the same situation.
B次元官网网址淭his is not a cry for help, IB次元官网网址檓 not looking for handouts,B次元官网网址� she emphasized, pointing out this is the first time she has ever contacted a news organization.
B次元官网网址淚f it helps one person be prepared for the personal hardships you can face, itB次元官网网址檚 worth it. As soon as youB次元官网网址檙e diagnosed, take care of all the paper work immediately. Once youB次元官网网址檙e diagnosed, everything happens so fast. YouB次元官网网址檙e so sick, lying in bed. If youB次元官网网址檙e not prepared (financially, and for the necessary applications and paperwork) it just adds a whole other level of stress.B次元官网网址�
Phillipson has an appointment with her oncologist on Oct. 10, and hopes to return to work at the end of that month. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just not physically strong enough at this point,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 doing good right now, but you never know with this disease.B次元官网网址�
