SAID - Saskatchewan Assured Income for the disabled = $1200 In comparison here someone working fulltime at minimum wage would earn $1720. Both qualify for a low income housing subsidy of about $250
Leaving me then with an income of about $1450 (money in Canada goes no where near as far as it does in the states. Example books and goods are about 175% of the cost south of the border).

My rent is $800 which eats up a lot of my income. I live in a 50 year old building that has never been renovated but it is clean and well maintained. I live in a crappy part of the city but it is safe and walking distance to my needs. I struggle to eat well but there are ways to eat healthy on a small budget (ie. a cheap bag of dried beans goes a long way). I do have a realy old car that at least runs. My fuel costs are low as I walk most places. I park it during the winter, thus save on the insurance half a year, because I can't afford the snow tires. That leaves me bussing it. My biggest bill is my tv/internet. I need the tv even for the background noise otherwise I'd go batty.

Typical day:

Very early morning walk to my grocery store (I go every other day, otherwise food goes bad)
Coffee, and I usally soak beans every day or two, start a pot of soup (again stretches food dollars)
work on art and poetry at home
lunch (rice and beans, or eggs ad vegetables, or yogurt)
I walk the 1km to the hospital 3 times a week for outpatient programs
the other two days a week a counsellor comes to my home or treats me out for coffee (they pick me up)
try to read a book, clean, or laundry
dinner (soup I put on, homemade scones, fresh fruit)
hardest part of my day and also most depressing as I have nothing to do
bedtime (very early out of boredom)

3 times per year I get a tax rebate cheque from the Federal Gov't of $130. I put that aside for things like 2 small gifts for my children at Christmas, and car insurance.

I do not own any footwear less than 5 years old. I get my boots resoled instead. Much of my clothing is older than that. I change it up every year with things like new scarves and earings I make myself.

If I am in dire need of something my father or brother help me out in emergencies.

The only gifts I buy are for my children at Christmas and I spend well under $50. Every one else must make do with a greeting card.

It was really really hard when I first went on disability but I have become quite comfortable with it.