I put my availability for work in for April a few weeks ago. I've been off since the end of November, but I finally achieved stability and felt ready to go back to work. I got a phone call from work today and was offered 3 shifts. I'm working a 5-hour partial shift tomorrow (Tuesday) and full day shifts on Saturday and Sunday. I'm nervous and excited. I think I will accept up to two shifts in a row and up to two shifts per week to start with, until I'm certain that I can do more.

I work as a casual health care aide at the local psychiatric hospital. I don't have any set hours, so I take shifts when they are available and I feel well enough to work. I hadn't been well for months, so I eventually, officially, went on leave in the hopes of getting sickness benefits, thought I didn't have enough worked hours last year to qualify for EI (employment insurance.) I'm nervous. I'm worried colleagues are going to ask why they haven't seen me in a few months. I know I don't have to say anything, though I will probable say I took time off for, "personal reasons."

I'm in the process of applying for AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped,) and am just waiting for a decision to be made. That decision should come sometime later this month. AISH would be my safety net. I would receive about $1,600/month regardless of whether or not I was able to work. I could then earn an additional $800/month. If I earned more than $800, the income from $801 and $1,500 is deducted 50% from my $1,600/month. Earning more than $1,500 means I would receive no AISH payment the following month. So I could earn up to about $2,750/month through the AISH payment and employment. I won't get wealthy, but it's enough to live on. I'm also anxious about that decision.