‘Used to bad news’
Coalition of Persons with Disabilities N.L. says new Canada disability benefit won’t do enough
In July 2025, some Canadians with disabilities will start receiving money from the federal government under its new disability benefit.
The benefit — which was outlined in the federal budget on Tuesday, April 16 — was referenced as a key pillar that will directly support those who need it most.
The budget proposes funding the Canada disability benefit with $6.1 billion over six years, beginning in 2024-2025. The proposed maximum benefit amount is $2,400 per year for low-income persons with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64.
That equates to a maximum benefit of $200 per month.
The federal government estimates the benefit will increase the financial wellbeing of more than 600,000 low-income persons with disabilities.
‘NOTHING TO COMPARE TO THE REAL NEED’
Nancy Reid, executive director of the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador (COD NL), says the group hoped to see greater numbers under the disability benefit.
“If it’s $200 per month, the reality, or the difference that’s going to make for an individual, is certainly something, but it’s nothing to compare to the real need that we’re seeing,” Reid said.
The 2023 report of the group Disability Without Poverty — titled “Disability Poverty in Canada” — found that more than 1.5 million people with disabilities lived in poverty.
‘LIVING IN POVERTY’
Reid said the poverty line is real for people with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“There’s almost always an extra cost to living for a person with a disability, and especially for persons with disabilities living in poverty,” she said.
The provincial government doesn’t offer disability benefits, which leaves many reliant on income support.
“If you are a person with disabilities of working age and a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador and are unable to work, your only option in this province is to rely on income support,” Reid said.
Other benefits might be included for those receiving income support, depending on their needs and circumstances, but Reid said they are extremely basic for those with disabilities.
“Those kinds of services might be things like some home supports or some basic adaptive technology, like a basic manual wheelchair, but often not a power wheelchair,” she said.
BAD NEWS COMMON
COD NL hasn’t yet received any calls from its members about the proposed benefit.
Reid said this is because they are used to hearing bad news.
“It’s never a surprise when you hear that, ‘Oh well, we were going to do this great thing, however, now with budgetary constraints,’ and all of the other excuses that we hear, ‘it’s going to be less than we had wanted to do,’ or, ‘it’s going to be a little bit different than we expected,’” she said.
“This is a common thread that we hear so often.”
CONCERN FOR OTHER SUPPORT
COD NL will keep a close eye on the benefit, and there is always a concern that income support or other financial benefits will be clawed back after a new one has been introduced, Reid said.
She hopes to hear the provincial government reassure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with disabilities.
“I’d love to hear it from our government to publicly say that these funds will be available as prescribed by our federal partners and they will not impact negatively on any of the support you’re already receiving from income support in this province,” Reid said.
‘SHOCKING’ AMOUNT: NDP
NDP MHA for Labrador West, Jordan Brown, and federal NDP president Mary Shortall said they are disappointed by the disability benefit amount.
“Only $200, that’s shocking,” Brown said.
Shortall said people with disabilities have been waiting a long time for relief.
“They’re living in abject poverty,” she said.
“Six billion dollars in six years, really, when you talk about the number of people who will depend on that in order to just be able to afford to live and that they’re the most vulnerable and marginalized in our society, it’s shocking.”