Federal Government Announces Support For Those With Disabilities From COVID-19

By
Content Team
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42
Terry Sheehan

Canadians living with disabilities are facing significant challenges during this difficult time, with some experiencing job insecurity and others seeing increased costs for personal support workers, medication, and medical supplies. As we work together to restart the economy, we must continue to protect health and safety, and ensure the right supports are in place for all Canadians.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced support to help Canadians with disabilities deal with extra expenses during the pandemic.

“Our Government continues to listen to and support all Canadians during these unprecedented times.  The supports announced today will help Canadians with disabilities maintain their independence, health, safety and dignity, as they manage the increased costs of living associated with Covid-19 pandemic.” said, Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament, Sault Ste. Marie

This support includes a special one-time, tax-free payment to individuals who are certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit as of June 1, 2020, as follows:

$600 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate.

$300 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.

$100 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the OAS pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

Combined with the special payments of $300 for Canadians who are eligible for the OAS pension and the additional $200 for those eligible for the GIS, all seniors with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate will receive a total of $600 in special payments. People who are eligible for this special payment will receive it automatically.

The Government of Canada recognizes that people with disabilities are also at higher risk of job loss during economic downturns. To help Canadians with disabilities get and maintain good jobs so they can continue to support themselves and their families, the government will:

·        Create a National Workplace Accessibility Stream through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. A new investment of $15 million in 2020-21 will provide community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19, including by helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home arrangements. This support will also cover expanding accessible online training opportunities and helping connect Canadians with disabilities working from home with employers.

·        Invest $1.18 million in five new projects across the country through the Accessible Technology Program. With this funding, organizations will develop dynamic and affordable technology, such as accessible payment terminals for retailers and tools to make communication easier for Canadians with disabilities in the digital economy.

As we mark National AccessAbility Week, we reaffirm our commitment to continue listening to and working in partnership with persons with disabilities to maintain their health, safety, and dignity as we address the wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19.

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42 COMMENTS

  2. Bunch of hypocrites. You all have money to never go hungry or other things. We are disabled. Do you think we wanted this to happen. 600 dollars for us can go a long way .but I suppose you never had to go through this .give us what you promised. It’s ours.

  3. I am on DCPP have been for 14yrs, after having worked for 25yrs and I get the DTC, does anyone know exactly when we are supposed to receive the $600? It will go along way to help with the $167 a month I’m paying in dispensing fees now for my 14 prescriptions every 30 days due to the 30 day limit on prescriptions

  4. I would like to know when is the payment to be deposited in our account if you have a Disability Tax Credit Certificate. I’m able to claim the Disability Tax Credit on my income tax so therefore should be able to receive the $600. But the government doesn’t give a date on when to expect this money in your back account. I’m sure that people who qualify should know when to expect this money. If you say your going to receive this then you should at least know when to expect the amount. Please notify us on when we can expect this payment. Give us a date. Also you say anyone who is over 65 and gets old age pension should receive $300. When can you tell people when they will receive this amount. It would be nice to have a date when people who get old age pension. Everything goes up in price. So we all need to have a date we can expect it as these two items say you don’t have apply for it. Everyone would like the details on the date they should receive these benefits.

  5. Ok they announce it, says it will be AUTOMATIC. i have a D.T.C., ok ok….they say as of JUNE 1st…..ok fine but exactly when will this payment be AUTOMATICALLY deposited. I have surfed around for over two hours, no one says, no even the stupid press give a firm date. Like give me break. Tell Canada WHEN the darn money goes into your accounts for gosh sakes!

  6. never before have i heard of this tax credit.. im on disability and should automatically qualify for this extra money due to covid expenses… WHY ARE WE BEING SHOVED UNDER THE RUG….TOTALLY NOT FAIR..

  7. Clint Nolan come on guys, it’s a drop in the bucket, everything is costing more for everyone not just the average working person………I’m disabled but don’t qualify for any of this!!!!!
    Where is the equality. I paid into everything you guys paid into so why don’t we qualify???????

  8. But not one word about reunification of families 😢 Soon my family will be needing to ask about government funded mental health support to survive this struggle.

    • I’ve never even heard of this tax credit.. been on odsp for 8 years, and come to think of it, I’ve never even met my case worker lol .. what a system

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