Things you can do to urge this government to Better the Benefit!

Context: 

27 percent of Canadians are disabled.

1.5 million disabled people in Canada live in poverty.

41 percent of people who live in poverty are disabled.

No provincial or territorial disability assistance payment raises people above the poverty line.

The 2024 federal budget allocated $6.1 billion over 6 years commencing July 2025.

The benefit’s maximum is $2,400 annually.

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is the eligibility tool.

There are currently roughly 300,000 people on the DTC.

How can you contribute:

Set up a meeting with your local municipal councillor, your MLA or your MP or find them at community events this summer.

Give them these talking points: 

1. Urgency – the benefit must happen quickly; July 2025 is a long time away from now.

2. Dignity – disabled people want to make their own decisions and be included in their care.

3. Added Costs – disability costs more and this must be included in the regulations.

4. Inclusive Eligibility – invisible and episodic disabilities must be included.

5. Simple Application – make sure the application is easy to use and that help is provided.

6. A Fair Benefit – the benefit must work for the people it is helping.

7. Keep Disabled People involved in the process – we know best what our needs are.

Watch this space: 

We will update this section once the regulations have been release so we can help with letters and social media posts to make sure our message is clear and united.

A Canada Disability Benefit should be transformative. It still can be.

We need your help to make sure the federal government gets the message loud and clear – $200 a month to so few people with disabilities is far below what is needed. We expect better.