Canada's groundbreaking $2,400 disability benefit launches June 20; Who qualifies, how to apply, and what they're not telling you
Starting June 20, eligible Canadians with disabilities can apply for the Canada Disability Benefit, a federal program providing up to $200 monthly. Aimed at those with the Disability Tax Credit, the benefit seeks to alleviate poverty, with payments beginning July 2025. While praised as a crucial step, concerns remain about eligibility restrictions and potential provincial clawbacks.
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Eligible Canadians living with disabilities will be able to apply for the long-anticipated Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) starting June 20, a new federal financial support program aimed at lifting thousands out of deep poverty.Announced as part of the federal government's Disability Inclusion Action Plan, the CDB will provide up to $200 per month or $2,400 annually, from July 2025 through June 2026. This landmark benefit targets working-age adults between 18 and 64 who qualify for the federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and have filed a 2024 tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency. If applicable, their spouse or common-law partner must also have filed their return.Letters are being mailed to potentially eligible individuals throughout June. These include a unique code and instructions on how to apply. However, those who do not receive a letter may still apply by providing their Social Insurance Number, 2024 net income (line 23600 on the notice of assessment), and direct deposit details.Applications can be made online, by phone, or in person at any Service Canada location. The government emphasizes direct deposit as the preferred method to ensure quicker and more reliable payments. Applications received and approved by June 30 will qualify for the first round of payments, expected to begin in July.Behind the policy rollout are real lives waiting for relief. Laura Chen, 28, from Vancouver, lives with rheumatoid arthritis and describes her financial struggles as 'a constant balancing act.' She said the promise of the new benefit brought her to tears. '$200 might not seem like much, but to me, it's dignity. It means not having to borrow money for groceries or wait until payday to buy medication.'The federal government has committed $6.1 billion over six years to the CDB and an additional $1.4 billion in annual funding thereafter. But critics warn that while the benefit is an important first step, its impact may be limited.Advocacy groups say the strict eligibility requirements tied to the DTC exclude many people with real disabilities. They also caution that because the CDB is not exempt from means-testing, provinces like Alberta have already announced they will reduce provincial disability assistance dollar-for-dollar—what advocates call a 'clawback.'Other provinces, including Ontario, have yet to clarify whether they will follow suit.Still, many say the program symbolizes long-overdue recognition. Eligible recipients may also receive retroactive payments for up to 24 months, though not for any period before July 2025.The rollout of the Canada Disability Benefit marks a historic moment in social policy. But its success will depend not only on how many Canadians receive it, but whether it truly brings the financial relief, autonomy, and dignity its architects envisioned.
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Time of India
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On the international front, arrivals from most of the 20 top tourist-generating countries such as Britain and Germany actually rebounded after a steep drop in March, with a 0.4% year-over-year increase for April, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data. The decline in March can be attributed, in part, to the fact that the Easter holidays, which are particularly popular in Western Europe, fell later this year. Still, the number of visitors from France, normally a reliable source of tourists, remained lower than expected in April, with arrivals down 12.2%. (The data did not include arrivals from Canada, the top source of travelers to the United States.) Sacks anticipates more pain. "We believe that pure leisure travel will be the most reactive, and we're not quite in the peak window yet," he said. "I expect as we get into May, June and July, the effects will be more pronounced." Monique Dubas, 35, an engineer from Paris, canceled a June trip to New York to show solidarity with a French scientist who was denied entry into the United States in March after immigration officers searched his phone and found messages deemed to be critical of President Donald Trump, according to French authorities. (The Department of Homeland Security later said the decision had nothing to do with Trump. ) "This is wrong and should not be accepted," Dubas said. After paying expensive cancellation fees, she changed her destination to Mexico. "I love America, but there are many more inviting places to go right now," she said. Canadian travelers are, by far, the biggest loss. Arrivals have declined significantly for a third consecutive month as Canadians continue to boycott the United States in reaction to tariffs and Trump's comments on annexation. 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Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Canada's groundbreaking $2,400 disability benefit launches June 20; Who qualifies, how to apply, and what they're not telling you
Starting June 20, eligible Canadians with disabilities can apply for the Canada Disability Benefit, a federal program providing up to $200 monthly. Aimed at those with the Disability Tax Credit, the benefit seeks to alleviate poverty, with payments beginning July 2025. While praised as a crucial step, concerns remain about eligibility restrictions and potential provincial clawbacks. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Letters mailed Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Eligible Canadians living with disabilities will be able to apply for the long-anticipated Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) starting June 20, a new federal financial support program aimed at lifting thousands out of deep as part of the federal government's Disability Inclusion Action Plan, the CDB will provide up to $200 per month or $2,400 annually, from July 2025 through June 2026. This landmark benefit targets working-age adults between 18 and 64 who qualify for the federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and have filed a 2024 tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency. If applicable, their spouse or common-law partner must also have filed their are being mailed to potentially eligible individuals throughout June. These include a unique code and instructions on how to apply. However, those who do not receive a letter may still apply by providing their Social Insurance Number, 2024 net income (line 23600 on the notice of assessment), and direct deposit can be made online, by phone, or in person at any Service Canada location. The government emphasizes direct deposit as the preferred method to ensure quicker and more reliable payments. Applications received and approved by June 30 will qualify for the first round of payments, expected to begin in the policy rollout are real lives waiting for relief. Laura Chen, 28, from Vancouver, lives with rheumatoid arthritis and describes her financial struggles as 'a constant balancing act.' She said the promise of the new benefit brought her to tears. '$200 might not seem like much, but to me, it's dignity. It means not having to borrow money for groceries or wait until payday to buy medication.'The federal government has committed $6.1 billion over six years to the CDB and an additional $1.4 billion in annual funding thereafter. But critics warn that while the benefit is an important first step, its impact may be groups say the strict eligibility requirements tied to the DTC exclude many people with real disabilities. They also caution that because the CDB is not exempt from means-testing, provinces like Alberta have already announced they will reduce provincial disability assistance dollar-for-dollar—what advocates call a 'clawback.'Other provinces, including Ontario, have yet to clarify whether they will follow many say the program symbolizes long-overdue recognition. Eligible recipients may also receive retroactive payments for up to 24 months, though not for any period before July rollout of the Canada Disability Benefit marks a historic moment in social policy. But its success will depend not only on how many Canadians receive it, but whether it truly brings the financial relief, autonomy, and dignity its architects envisioned.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
IIIT-Delhi's Chartr app eases bus commute in Delhi
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