‘I feel like I stole a chocolate bar and I’m on death row’ — Kitchener woman battling CRB qualification

KITCHENER - A growing pool of more than $6,000 from the Canada Recovery Benefit could be the difference between Ursula Armster staying in her apartment or living in her car.

The fund is aimed at helping employed Canadians who are directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But instead of helping Armster, a technicality on revenue requirements means she hasn't received a payment since March.

And the reason? She didn't make enough money in the 12 months leading up to the pandemic to qualify for a benefit meant to help those struggling most.

Right now, I cannot afford to live," she said. I'm scared to do anything. I'm worried I'm going to have to pack up my things, sell my stuff on Kijiji and live in my car until the snow flies, and then I don't know what happens."

Now living off a small amount of savings and a line of credit, the 57-year-old is counting down the days until she must start selling off her possessions to get by.

Armster works for a marketing company that fills in-person brand ambassador roles at places like the LCBO. It's not the type of job that has been allowed to continue during the pandemic, she said, and her shifts started getting cancelled in March 2020.

She was one of the many Canadians who received the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit while it was available, eventually transitioning to the CRB in September.

Applicants - who must be employed or self-employed to qualify - are forced to apply for the funds every other week. They receive about $900 after taxes, and the program is scheduled to run for a year.

At first, said Armster, the transition to CRB in September was seamless, and she received the payments without a problem.

Then in March an error message popped up - it said she didn't meet the criteria. Specifically, she didn't make at least $5,000 in the 12-month lead-up to the pandemic, a requirement for eligibility.

And not only did she not qualify, she said, she was told that she was likely going to have to pay back the money she already received.

It's ridiculous because if I had made $5,020 I would technically have been in less need, but I would have qualified for this," she said. But because my number is lower, which means I made less money, I don't qualify for this support? Tell me how that makes sense?"

Armster had been working in a one-year contract position in 2018 making good money, she said, but her contract wasn't renewed the following year. She lived off savings in 2019, helped by the part-time work with the marketing company.

Meanwhile, she continued to look for work. She has spreadsheets outlining the many jobs she's applied for, a journey that has continued into the pandemic. Her latest interview was on Tuesday, applying for a position at a convenience store.

But as time continues to pass with no clear resolution, the situation is starting to get more nerve-racking. Armster lives alone and has no one to fall back on.

Over the last month she has sent letters to everyone from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau down to her local MP, Marwan Tabbara, for support.

Due to confidentiality reasons, said Tabbara's office manager Danny Moufti, they are unable to comment on the specific details of Armster's file.

Moufti said they have received and helped resolve numerous requests for assistance with CRB issues during the pandemic.

MP Tabbara has raised issues in the House to advocate for issues affecting the constituents of Kitchener South-Hespeler - including CRB related issues - and remains committed to doing so," he said.

However, as the House has adjourned until late September, he said, there is currently no plan to raise the issue of CRB qualification requirements.

For Armster, a solution after September might be too late.

She's continuing her job search and hopes to land something soon. But the hole she is facing could take years to climb out of.

I feel like I stole a chocolate bar and I'm on death row," she said. I don't need help, I need a job. But until I find a job I'm just asking for some respect from the government."

Robert Williams is a Waterloo Region-based reporter for The Record. Reach him via email: robertwilliams@torstar.ca