Red Deer - Alberta Supports Centre - Red Deer, Alberta

Jennybeans2010

Wed, Sept 11th, we took my disabled sister in to gather information on the process of applying due to changing provinces. The old woman working the desk was rude and dismissive. She has obviously lost the will to serve the public and should retire or be transferred to a department where she does not deal with people. Quite obvious she hates her employer and clients, and loves gatekeeping vital information. We learned nothing, and were not permitted to see anyone who could answer our questions. She even tried to tell me that the washrooms were for their clients only(which we would be if she only allowed us), but changed her mind when I just started at her with my 2 year who had a dirty diaper. Wretched, truly shameful

ItsAMeBob

I haven't been able to get a hold of a real person since getting the number, I was told they tried calling me but didn't leave a message because I apparently don't have a voicemailbox which is not true at all. My file is being transferred to the central office so they put my benefits on hold. No email no other calls nothing and the automated system keeps telling me the call volume is too high and hangs up on me I've been calling them for 3 hours now. I thought the calgary office was difficult to get a hold of but they actually answer you eventually. smh i need to pay rent and buy food, what am i supposed to do.

Amos J.

I tried to apply for income support for me and my kids to get by these few months so as groceries and I got denied. What’s wrong with the system now a days y’all need so much info that you guys shouldn’t be asking for specially personal bank info that’s a big no no for me. Not all can get a job just like that, even when your single and have no sitter to watch your kids during the time being, a simple question we need help but the answer is NO from you guys!!!! Why even have a income support when you guys deny a lotta people.

Pikay T.

Constantly putting holds on my file every month which has resulted in late payments on rent, bills and groceries. My kids have had to struggle because the jokes they are.
Added my partner to my file and they dropped my income by about 500$ even tho he is not able to be working.
Every call has had me spending 1/2 hours AT LEAST on hold. absolutely disgusting service.

leslie W.

They help me and my kids wonderfully, the ladies that have helped my family were always very friendly and kind. The gave me helpful information when I ask for it, and they walk me through when I ask the right questions. They have supported my babies medication making sure he got his medication covered so I say they are doing amazingly.

Allison M.

Got a voicemail from a private number saying "hi call us back" 1) it took me 3 hours to figure out who was calling from a private number and giving me no information. 2) I've called back 30 times so far and keep getting hung up on because "call volume is higher than normal" 3) how am I supposed to find out why I have to call back if nobody answers the damn phones!? You clearly need a better system for that because I'm sick and tired of sitting around for days tryingatthe end of every month trying to get my call through. You're all so unorganized and I have an issue every month because someone tells me 1 thing then suddenly the policy changes and they screw my payment up and I have no way to pay my bills or rent on time. I have been receiving payments for nearly a year due to back to back injuries and they still can't figure out how to get a payment processed properly. Y'all clearly need help running this place because you're doing an awful job. At least my worker is friendly and tries her best to be helpful.

Dave S.

Two months of repeatedly being told to reapply for benefits, being put on hold for excessive amounts of time, being directly lied to by Jeremy...etc etc etc there is no wonder there is a problem with homelessness, addiction suicide and crime. Perhaps the government would be better served in directing money to those marginalized as opposed to hiring people to exasperate an already unfortunate situation for societies vulnerable.

Shel

Was told I needed to go and speak to someone in person for emergency funding. I show up and they tell me they can't do anything because I haven't filled the form out online.
Was told to fill out the form online and wait for someone to call me for an assessment, yet filling out the form online, the "next steps" say to go into the office in person.

Nobody has any idea what they're supposed to be telling people.
I am 8 months pregnant, was evicted from my home, unable to work due to being pregnant, had to drop out of school due to fleeing an abusive relationship, and I can't get help.
Meanwhile, the abusive ex boyfriend was able to collect emergency funds three times last year in order to fuel his drug habit.

Yeah, go ahead and tell me how fair that is.