What is the Canada Disability Benefit? 

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In the September 2020 throne speech, the federal government promised to establish a monthly Canada Disability Benefit, which they promised again in the May 2021 budget. In June 2021, the Canada Disability Benefit was tabled in parliament.

 

This what we know about the Canada Disability Benefit so far. The Canada Disability Benefit will be modeled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for seniors, which is stacked on top of Old Age Security (OAS).

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This means the Canada Disability Benefit will be stacked on top of the existing benefits people with disabilities receive. The Canada Disability Benefit will add to, not replace or take away from, other provincial, federal, and territorial supports.

 

For example, the Canada Disability Benefit would be in addition to provincial and territorial income assistance, CPP-D, Veteran’s Disability Benefits, Worker’s Compensation, private insurance and other disability support programs. In BC, for example, you could receive provincial BC PWD assistance, and still get the Canada Disability Benefit as well.

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What Now?

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Many more details about the Canada Disability Benefit, such as eligibility and benefit amount, have yet to be revealed, but we will update you about the Canada Disability Benefit as soon as these details emerge.

 

Federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for social services and disability intend to meet this summer for an initial discussion on the proposed Canada Disability Benefit.

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One roadblock has been that when parliament dissolved for the 2021 federal election, the legislation introduced for the Canada Disability Benefit died. It is now up to the government to introduce this legislation again, and to make good on their promise to help eliminate disability poverty in Canada.

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Canada Disability Benefit Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I receive the Canada Disability Benefit if I'm on provincial disability assistance?

• Yes. It won't matter if you are on provincial, federal, or territorial assistance. The Canada Disability Benefit isn't limited to people who receive federal benefits.

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Will the Canada Disability Benefit be clawed back from my other benefits?

• No. The Canada Disability Benefit will 'stack' onto your other benefits, meaning it will be added to what you already receive.

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How much will the Canada Disability Benefit be?

• The amount of the Canada Disability Benefit is still unknown at this point.

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Am I eligible for the Canada Disability Benefit

• Specific eligibility details have yet to be released. But what we do know is that eligibility will not be limited to people currently on federal assistance, meaning if you are on provincial benefits you can still receive the Canada Disability Benefit.

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• We also know that the Canada Disability Benefit will be tied to income level. It is a benefit intended to lift disabled persons out of poverty.

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Can start receiving the Canada Disability Benefit now?

• No. The Canada Disability Benefit is still in development

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See More:

• Disability Without Poverty - The Benefit

• Interview: Carla Qualtrough on Canada Disability Benefit