coronavirus spread across the country, Connie Kuipers knew she would need financial help immediately.The Toronto, Ont. native, who was making a living cleaning homes and Airbnb suites, saw her client list quickly dry up.
She was still in school working to become a life coach, not yet ready to begin her anticipated new career. And her two children were now home from school and needed support.Kuipers applied for the Ontario Works social assistance program right away — something she said she never thought she’d have to do over 10 years of self-employment.
But she knew the roughly $1,100 to $1,300 she’d receive per month wouldn’t be enough to live on for a sustained period, especially as a single mother.