For Immediate Release
March 12, 2025
FINAL CANADA DISABILITY BENEFIT REGULATIONS FALL SHORT
Disability advocates urge Canadians to press election candidates to #BetterTheBenefit
(Toronto) – Disability Without Poverty is deeply disappointed that the final Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) regulations, published today, reflect no meaningful improvements despite unprecedented public feedback. Nearly 15,000 written responses from Canadians - including record-breaking engagement from the disability community - overwhelmingly called for significant changes. Despite this substantial feedback, the final regulations remain virtually unchanged, leaving critical issues unresolved.
Rabia Khedr, National Director of Disability Without Poverty, stated: "After thousands of Canadians spoke up, we’re left with a benefit that still won’t lift people out of poverty. People with disabilities deserve better. The fight for a fair and adequate benefit continues."
Key Concerns:
- Inadequate amount: At $200 monthly, the benefit falls far below the poverty line and fails to meet basic needs and does not lift people out of poverty.
- Restrictive eligibility: Tied strictly to Disability Tax Credit (DTC) eligibility which excludes many Canadians with disabilities.
- Risk of clawbacks: Without clear safeguards, provincial and territorial clawbacks could offset the benefit, leaving recipients no better off.
Call to Action: Disability Without Poverty urges Canadians to demand their federal election candidates commit to #BetterTheBenefit - by ensuring a livable amount, streamlined eligibility, and protections against clawbacks.
“We urge voters to ask candidates directly if they’ll commit to fixing the CDB by raising the benefit amount, broadening eligibility, and protecting against clawbacks,” Khedr added. “The fight isn’t over. Together, we can achieve a benefit that genuinely lifts people out of poverty.”
For more information and to join the #BetterTheBenefit campaign, visit https://www.disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca/en/community-advocates