called home for nearly three years.

She freely admits that she is behind two months or $2,400 on her rent for the two bedroom dwelling on Glebe Road, but she says her problems began after social assistance stopped paying her rent once her 24-year-old son found a job.

He was unemployed for two years but recently found work in the construction industry.

"I didn't owe any rent before because social assistance paid it,'' Ms Simons, 67, explained. "I suffer from heart disease and I am unable to work and my son was unemployed for two years.'' However, since her son found work, she said social assistance stopped paying the rent and this has presented insurmountable problems because her son's work has not been steady.

"They shouldn't have cut me off. My son can't afford to pay the rent, phone, food and his own bills on $12 an hour.

"When it rains he doesn't get paid and when he is between jobs there is no money.'' But Ms Simons said her problems really started when she moved into the two bedroom apartment more than two years ago.

At that time she said the toilet needed fixing because it was overflowing. It turned out, she claimed, that a baby's diaper was causing the blockage.

"I was blamed for that but I don't have any babies,'' she added.

Additionally, Ms Simons said her problems continue because she is unable to use two of the four burners on her stove and the kitchen roof is leaking.

Moreover she said when the water pump is operating, the lights go out and this just compounds her difficulties.

"I have spoken to my landlord about these problems but she just wants her money. I can't afford the rent and so I have asked her if I can pay off the outstanding balance in stages but she refused.

"I was supposed to be out of the place on November 5 but Christmas is coming and I am worried that I will have no place to go. I could afford to move if I can find some place for no more than $900.'' Meanwhile, landlord Jennifer Furbert declined to answer any questions and referred a Royal Gazette reporter to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

But she did confirm that Ms Simons had been given notice to quit and was behind in rent some $2,400.

A source close to the case told The Royal Gazette that Ms Simons was a social assistance veteran who had been part of the system for more than 15 years.

Consequently, the source said she has used up close to $100,000 of tax payers money and there seems to be no end in sight.