Being disabled in Canada - what can you get

The main factor that defines a person as disabled is having a Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate. It can be approved by the tax authorities either temporarily or permanently.

Disability Tax Credit

What benefits and programs are available in Canada for people who are considered disabled?

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP):

The RDSP is a long-term savings plan for people with disabilities. It offers the opportunity to receive government grants that boost your savings.

Key features of RDSP:

• Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG): The government contributes to your RDSP by providing grants of up to $3,500 per year, depending on your family income and contribution amount.
• Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB): Individuals with low income can receive up to $1,000 per year added to their RDSP, even if they don't make their own contributions.

Eligibility for RDSP:

• You must have the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
• Age: Be under 49 years old at the end of the application year to receive grants and bonds.
• Residency: Be a Canadian resident with a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Website: https://canada.ca/rdsp

Federal Programs and Benefits:

• Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits (CPP-D): Payments from the Canada Pension Plan for those who cannot work due to a severe disability and have contributed to the CPP.

  Website: CPP Disability Benefit

• Child Disability Benefit (CDB): Additional funds for families caring for a child who has the DTC.

  Website: Child Disability Benefit

• Medical Expense Tax Credit: A tax credit for medical expenses.

  Website: Medical Expenses

• Refundable Medical Expense Supplement: A refundable tax credit for low-income individuals with high medical expenses.

  Website: Refundable Medical Expense Supplement

• Home Accessibility Tax Credit: A tax credit for expenses related to making homes more accessible for people with disabilities.

  Website: Home Accessibility Expenses

• Disability Supports Deduction: Deduction for expenses on support devices needed for work or education.

  Website: Disability Supports Deduction

• Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits: Temporary financial assistance for those unable to work due to illness or injury.

  Website: EI Sickness Benefits

• Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) – Disability Supplement: Additional support for working people with disabilities who have a low income.

  Website: Canada Workers Benefit

• Caregiver Tax Credit: A tax credit for those providing support and care for disabled relatives.

  Website: Canada Caregiver Amount

Alberta:

• Alberta Adult Health Benefit: Medical benefits for adults with low income.

  Website: Adult Health Benefit

• Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP): Grants for home modifications.

  Website: RAMP

• Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES): Employment support, including training and workplace adaptation.

  Website: DRES

• Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL): Funding for assistive devices and equipment.

  Website: AADL

• Income Support: Financial assistance for those with low income.

  Website: Income Support

• Alberta Seniors Benefit: Financial assistance for low-income seniors.

  Website: Seniors Benefit

• Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD): Support for families with disabled children.

  Website: FSCD

• Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Program: Services and support for adults with developmental disabilities.

  Website: PDD Program

• Employment Training and Transition Supports: Training and employment programs for people with disabilities.

  Website: Employment and Training Services

• Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Child Supplement: Additional support for families with children receiving AISH.

  Website: AISH

• Special Needs Assistance for Seniors: Financial help for low-income seniors to cover disability-related expenses.

  Website: Special Needs Assistance

Ontario:

• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): Financial assistance and employment support.

  Website: ODSP

• Assistive Devices Program (ADP): Funding for assistive devices and equipment.

  Website: ADP

• Special Services at Home (SSAH): Support for children with disabilities and their families.

  Website: SSAH

British Columbia:

• Disability Assistance: Financial support for people with disabilities.

  Website: Disability Assistance

• BC Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities: Support in finding work and training.

  Website: WorkBC

• Bus Pass Program: Subsidized transit passes.

  Website: Bus Pass Program

• Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI): Grants for home modifications.

  Website: BC Housing

Québec:

• Programme de solidarité sociale: Financial assistance for those with severe disabilities.

  Website: Solidarité Sociale

• Services de soutien à domicile: Support for living at home.

  Website: Soutien à Domicile

• Subvention pour l’adaptation de domicile: Grants for home adaptations.

  Website: Société d'habitation Québec

• Transport adapté: Specialized transportation services.

  Website: Transport Adapté

Manitoba:

• Employment and Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Financial support and employment assistance.

  Website: EIA for PWD

• Manitoba Housing – Home Modifications: Programs for home modifications.

  Website: Manitoba Housing

• MarketAbilities Program: Employment assistance for people with disabilities.

  Website: MarketAbilities

Saskatchewan:

• Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID): Financial assistance for people with disabilities.

  Website: SAID

• Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities: Transportation subsidies.

  Website: Transit Assistance

• Home Repair Program – Adaptation for Independence: Funding for home adaptations.

  Website: Saskatchewan Housing

Nova Scotia:

• Disability Support Program: Support and services for people with disabilities.

  Website: Disability Support

• Accessible Transportation Assistance Program: Financial help for accessible transportation.

  Website: Transportation Assistance

• Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence: Home modifications for seniors with disabilities.

  Website: Housing Nova Scotia

New Brunswick:

• Disability Support Program: Support for adults with disabilities.

  Website: NB Disability Support

• Vehicle Retrofit Program: Funding for vehicle modifications.

  (Specific website not provided.)

• Housing Adaptations for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities: Assistance with home adaptations.

  Website: NB Housing

Prince Edward Island:

• AccessAbility Supports: Financial and practical support.

  Website: AccessAbility Supports

• Seniors Safe @ Home Program: Assistance for seniors with disabilities to adapt their homes.

  Website: Seniors Programs

• Employment Assistance Services: Employment support.

  Website: Employment Journey

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Disability Support Program: Support for people with disabilities.

  Website: NL Disability Support

• Accessible Vehicle Funding Program: Funding for vehicle modifications.

  Website: Accessible Vehicle Program

• Home Modification Program: Grants for home modifications.

  Website: NL Housing

Yukon:

• Services for People with Disabilities: Programs and support services.

  Website: Yukon Services

• Yukon Housing – Home Repair Program: Funding for home repairs and adaptations.

  Website: Yukon Housing

Northwest Territories:

• Income Assistance: Financial support.

  Website: NWT Income Assistance

• Senior Home Heating Subsidy: Heating subsidies for seniors with disabilities.

  Website: NWT Seniors Society

• NWT Disabilities Council: Support and resources.

  Website: NWT Disabilities Council

Nunavut:

• Disability Programs: Support programs for people with disabilities.

  Website: Nunavut Programs

• Nunavut Housing Corporation Programs: Housing programs and assistance.

  Website: Nunavut Housing

• Home and Community Care: Home care services.

  Website: Home Care Nunavut

National Organizations and Resources:

• Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD): National advocacy organization.

  Website: CCD Online

• Inclusion Canada: Support for people with intellectual disabilities.

  Website: Inclusion Canada

• Accessible Canada: Information on accessibility and programs.

  Website: Accessible Canada

• 211 Canada: Information on local services and programs across Canada.

  Website: 211 Canada

• DisabilityAwards.ca: Search for scholarships and grants for students with disabilities.

  Website: Disability Awards

• Service Canada – Programs and Services for People with Disabilities: Programs and services for people with disabilities.

  Website: Service Canada Disabilities