Difference between revisions of "Financial Help for People with Disabilities"

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People with disabilities have options to get financial help from the government. Learn about the government programs available, and where you can turn to get help and find more information.


People with disabilities can get financial help and support from several places. This script explains some of the help available, plus how and where to get more information. It does not list every possible type of help, but it’s a good starting point to learn more. Some information appears in more than one place.
==What you should know==
===Disability assistance for “persons with disabilities”===
Someone can get '''disability assistance''' from the BC government if they are designated as a “person with disabilities." If you qualify for disability assistance, you get a higher monthly income than someone on basic income assistance in BC. You also get a wider range of medical benefits (such as coverage for health equipment), a higher asset limit (meaning you can own more and still qualify for assistance), and more income exemptions.


==Canadian government help and programs==
====Qualifying for the benefit====
====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/benefit/index.shtml Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit]====
To qualify for disability assistance:
A monthly CPP disability benefit may be available to people who:
*are under 65,
*stopped working because of a medical condition, and
*paid into the Canada Pension Plan.


====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/voc-rehab.shtml CPP Disability Vocational Rehabilitation Program]====
* You must be at least 18, live in BC, and meet immigration rules.
This program offers vocational counseling, financial support for training, and job search services to people who receive CPP Disability Benefits to help them return to work.
* You must have income and assets within certain limits.
* Your disability must be severe, expected to last at least two years, and restrict your daily living activities.
* You must also need help from another person, an assistive device, or an assistance animal.


====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/voc-rehab.shtml Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)]====
====Applying for the benefit====
This federal grant/bond program provides up to $4,500 in free grants/bonds a year, with a savings deposit of $1,500 each year. Anyone under 60 who is eligible for the disability tax credit can establish an RDSP. For a disabled child, the parent or guardian can set up the RDSP. The RDSP is a way for a person or child with a disability and their families to save for the future.
To get disability assistance, you apply to the government Ministry responsible for welfare in BC, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. To start, you apply for welfare and attend an eligibility interview.


====[http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/disability/ Tax breaks]====
If you meet the Ministry’s basic criteria, you complete a '''persons with disabilities (PWD) application form'''. The form includes portions for your doctor and other health professionals to complete.
Several tax benefits are available to people with disabilities, including the disability tax credit. The Canada Revenue Agency website has details.


====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/gasoline_tax_refund.shtml Federal excise gasoline tax refund]====
For more information, see the Ministry’s website at [http://gov.bc.ca/sdpr gov.bc.ca/sdpr] or call 1-866-866-0800.
If a medical doctor certifies that a person has permanent mobility impairment and cannot safely use public transport, they can apply for a refund of part of the federal excise tax on the gas they buy.


====[http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/after-injury/disability-benefits Disability benefits for veterans]====
Shortly, we describe options for getting help in applying for benefits.
Disabled veterans may qualify for the Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefit—an award or pension. Veterans may also be eligible for [http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/financial other financial support], such as the [http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/financial/war-veterans-allowance War Veterans Allowance].


====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/benefits/compassionate.shtml Employment Insurance compassionate care benefits]====
===Tax benefits for people with disabilities===
People can receive compassionate care benefits for up to six weeks if they have to miss work temporarily to care for a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death. Unemployed people who are already receiving Employment Insurance benefits can also apply for compassionate care benefits.
Several tax benefits are available to people with disabilities. A key one is the '''disability tax credit'''. It helps a person with disabilities or those supporting them reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.


====[http://www.pwd-online.gc.ca/p.6dl.3st@.jsp?lang=eng&geo=2&cat=5 Persons with Disabilities Online, tax and financial benefits]====
For someone to be eligible for the disability tax credit, a medical practitioner must certify the person has a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. The Canada Revenue Agency website has details at [https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities.html cra-arc.gc.ca/disability].
Click any of 3 headings on this website: “[http://www.pwd-online.gc.ca/p.6dl.3st@.jsp?lang=eng&geo=2&cat=5_29 Benefits]”, “[http://www.pwd-online.gc.ca/p.6dl.3st@.jsp?lang=eng&geo=2&cat=5_64 Taxes]” and “[http://www.pwd-online.gc.ca/p.6dl.3st@.jsp?lang=eng&geo=2&cat=5_65 Loans, Scholarships and Grants]”. In each one, choose BC as the province for the relevant information.


====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/subjects/benefits/index.shtml Income assistance]====
{| class="wikitable"
This site lists many other federal benefits (organized by category), such as:
|align="left"|'''Tip'''
*Employment Insurance regular benefits
Being eligible for the disability tax credit can open the door to other government programs such as the registered disability savings plan (explained shortly) and the [https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/child-disability-benefit.html child disability benefit] (a tax-free monthly payment made to families with a child who has a severe and prolonged disability).
*Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits
|}
*Employment Insurance (EI) fishing benefits
*The GST/HST credit for people with low or modest incomes
*The GST/HST general rebates
*Employment Insurance benefits to certain people who live outside Canada if their job is insured under Canada's EI program
*International benefits


====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/audiences/disabilities/benefits.shtml Income assistance for people with disabilities]====
===Savings plan for people with disabilities===
This site lists income assistance and other programs and services for people with disabilities.
A '''registered disability savings plan''' (RDSP) is a savings plan intended to help parents and others save for the long-term financial security of a disabled person.


====[http://www.canadabenefits.gc.ca/f.1.2ch.4m.2@.jsp?lang=eng CanadaBenefits]====
For every $1 put in an RDSP account, the federal government can match with up to $3. This is the Canada Disability Savings Grant.
The [http://www.canadabenefits.gc.ca/f.1.2cl.3st@.jsp?lang=eng&geo=1&catid=13 section for people with a disability] has a long list of programs and related links. They deal with financial help, employment, education and training, housing, health and safety.


You can also call Service Canada at 1.800.622.6232 to ask about any of this information.
For people living on a low income (less than $30,000), the federal government will put in $1,000 each year for 20 years. This is the Canada Disability Savings Bond.


==BC government help and programs==
Anyone under 60 who is eligible for the disability tax credit can establish an RDSP. For more information, see the federal government website at [https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/savings.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_rdsp canada.ca/rdsp].
====[http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/BCEA.htm BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Program]====
The BCEA program helps adults 18 or over who are designated as a person with disabilities resulting from a physical or mental impairment that significantly restricts their ability to perform daily living activities. Some examples of assistance are:
*monthly support and shelter allowance
*various supplements, including health supplements
*medical coverage
*low-cost annual bus passes
*career planning services
*job training


The BCEA program also offers other help to people with disabilities (including children, adults, and their families). This includes:
===Disability benefits for workers===
*procedural help for 17½-year-olds to apply for the person with disabilities designation so they can receive disability assistance when they turn 18.
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides benefits to workers who become disabled. If you become disabled and cannot work at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for a monthly '''disability benefit under the CPP'''.
*increased assets limit of $10,000 (up from $5,000) based on family unit size.
*increased earnings exemption starting at $800 for a single person family unit and increased for family units of more than 1 person.


You can [http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/bcea.htm apply for BCEA online].
The amount of your disability benefit is based on how much you contributed to the Canada Pension Plan while working. The federal government website provides current benefit amounts at [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit/benefit-amount.html canada.ca/cpp].


The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation has detailed information on [http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/pwd.htm income and disability assistance for persons with disabilities]. Or you can call the ministry at 1.866.866.0800.
====Qualifying for the benefit====
To qualify for a CPP disability benefit:


If you have an outstanding arrest warrant for an indictable or hybrid offence anywhere in Canada, you cannot get income or disability assistance in BC unless you first do something about the warrant. Check script [[Outstanding Warrants and Welfare (Script 204)|204]], on "Outstanding Warrants and Welfare", for details.
You must be under age 65.


The '''[http://www.personalsupports.bc.ca/ Personal Supports website]''' has information about, and links to, programs that provide equipment, assistive devices, and other personal supports for people with disabilities in BC.
You must have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan for at least four of the last six years (or three of the last six years if you have contributed for at least 25 years).


The '''[http://www.sd.gov.bc.ca/programs/bus-pass.html Bus Pass Program]''' offers lower cost, annual bus passes for low income seniors and people receiving disability assistance from BC.
The government must find you have a physical or mental disability that is both severe and prolonged.


Call '''Enquiry BC''' to ask about any provincial program. The numbers are 604.660.2421 in Vancouver, 250.387.6121 in Victoria, and 1.800.663.7867 elsewhere in BC.
“Severe” means you have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of gainful work. “Prolonged” means your disability is long-term and indefinite or is likely to result in death.


==Financial help for students with disabilities (from Canadian and BC governments)==
====Applying for the benefit====
You must apply in writing for the CPP disability benefit. To get the application form, go to [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-benefit/apply.html canada.ca/cpp] or call toll-free 1-800-277-9914.


====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/permanent_disability_benefit.shtml Canada Student Loans Program—Permanent Disability Benefit]====
Shortly, we describe options for getting help in applying for benefits.
Students with a permanent disability who are having trouble repaying their loans due to their disability can apply to the [http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/common/help/contact/loans.shtml National Student Loan Service Centre] to have their loans forgiven (so they don’t have to repay the loan).


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/canada-student-grant-students-permanent-disabilities Canada student grant for students with permanent disabilities]====
===Other government benefits for disabled workers===
This program helps part- or full-time students with permanent disabilities with the cost of education.
====Employment Insurance benefits====
Disabled workers can also seek help through the Employment Insurance (EI) program. EI provides benefits to people who lose their jobs. It also helps those who can’t work because of sickness, or need time off work to care for a family member.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/canada-student-grant-services-and-equipment-students-permanent-disabilities Canada student grant for services and equipment for students with permanent disabilities]====
You may be eligible to get up to 15 weeks of '''EI sickness benefits''' if you're unable to work because of sickness or injury.
This program helps part- or full-time students with permanent disabilities pay for exceptional education related costs for services and equipment.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/canada-student-grant-students-dependants Canada student grant for students with dependants]====
EI also offers '''family caregiver benefits''' and '''compassionate care benefits'''. These can help if you have to miss work temporarily to care for a family member who is critically ill or injured, or gravely ill with a significant risk of death.
This program helps full-time students with the cost of education if they have dependants 12 or older with a permanent disability. [https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/canada-student-grant-part-time-students-dependants Part-time students] are also eligible.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/ StudentAid BC]====
For more on EI benefits, see the federal government website at [https://www.canada.ca/ei canada.ca/ei].
This BC government website has information on student loans, grants, and scholarships. It also has programs that help with loan repayment. And you can apply for student loans on the site. Search the site for “disability” to find all the relevant information.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/assistance-program-students-permanent-disabilities BC assistance program for students with permanent disabilities]====
====Workers compensation benefits====
This program helps students with permanent disabilities pay for exceptional education-related services and adaptive equipment.
You may be able to get compensation from [https://www.worksafebc.com/en WorkSafeBC] if you're a victim of a work accident or have a work-related illness.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/bc-supplemental-bursary-students-permanent-disability BC supplemental bursary for students with a permanent disability]====
====Support for return to work====
Various bursaries are available, depending on your course load.
The Canada Pension Plan offers a [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit/vocational-rehabilitation.html voluntary program] to help CPP disability benefit recipients return to work. The program offers vocational counseling, financial support for training, and job search services.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/bc-access-grant-students-permanent-disabilities BC access grant for students with permanent disabilities]====
===Financial help for students with disabilities===
This program helps full-time students with a permanent disability with the cost of education by replacing about $1,000 in BC student loan funding.
Several government programs offer financial help for students with disabilities.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-sholarships/bc-access-grant-deaf-students BC access grant for deaf students]====
====Grants and bursaries for students with disabilities====
This grant helps deaf and hard-of-hearing students with the additional costs while attending specialized post-secondary institutions where curriculum is delivered in American Sign Language.
The federal government offers a [https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/grants/disabilities.html grant program for students with a permanent disability]. It is designed to help with the cost of post-secondary education.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/youth-educational-assistance-fund-former-youth-care Youth educational assistance fund for former youth in care]====
The BC government offers a [https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/bc-supplemental-bursary-students-disabilities supplemental bursary] for students with a permanent disability. Another BC grant program, the [https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/bc-access-grant-students-disabilities access grant], helps students with a permanent disability by replacing $1,000 in BC student loan funding.
This program provides grants up to $5,500 to former BC youth in care students between 19 and 23 years old. They have to meet several criteria, including being a full-time student or a student with a permanent disability studying at a reduced course load.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/repay/repayment-help/repayment-assistance-plan-borrowers-permanent-disability Repayment assistance plan for borrowers with a permanent disability]====
The federal government also offers a [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/disabilities-service-equipment.html grant program for services and equipment] for students with a permanent disability. This is to help disabled students who require exceptional education-related services or equipment.
This plan helps you manage your Canada Student Loan and B.C. Student Loan debt by reducing your monthly payment and letting you pay back what you can reasonably afford.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships Grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid]====
If you have used the funds available through that federal grant program, you can apply to receive the BC government’s [https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/canada-student-grant-services-and-equipment-students-disabilities assistance for exceptional services and equipment] for disabled students.
Several BC and federal grants and scholarships listed here are for students with a permanent disability.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/repay/repayment-help/permanent-disability-benefit Severe permanent disability benefit]====
====Forgiven student loans====
This program forgives (or cancels) student loans if you have a severe permanent disability that prevents you from working or going to school, and prevents you from ever being able to repay your loans.
The BC government offers a student loan [https://studentaidbc.ca/repay/repayment-help/repayment-assistance-plan-borrowers-disabilities repayment assistance plan for borrowers with a permanent disability]. This plan helps you manage your student loan debt by reducing your monthly payment and letting you pay back what you can reasonably afford.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/learning-disability-assessment-bursary Learning disability assessment bursary]====
Students with a severe permanent disability can [https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/severe-permanent-disability-benefit.html apply to have their student loans '''forgiven'''] (so they don’t have to repay the loans). To qualify, the disability must prevent them from working and from participating in post-secondary studies for the rest of their life.
This bursary program helps part- and full-time students with the initial costs of the learning disabilities assessment.


==Other help and information==
{| class="wikitable"
*'''[http://www.thelawcentre.ca/ The Law Centre]''': this clinic in Victoria, run by University of Victoria law students, helps people with disabilities (who cannot afford a lawyer) to get employment insurance, CPP disability benefits, and other benefits. They also help with appeals. Call 250.385.1221.
|align="left"|'''Tip'''
The BC government’s [https://studentaidbc.ca/ StudentAid BC] website has information on student loans, grants, and scholarships. Search the site for “disability” to find information on programs for students with disabilities.
|}


*'''[http://www.lslap.bc.ca/ Law Students’ Legal Advice Program]''': this is like The Law Centre in Victoria, but University of BC law students operate it. Clinics are throughout Greater Vancouver. Call 604.822.5791.
==Common questions==
===The government turned down my application for disability assistance. Can I challenge it?===
Yes. If the BC Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction denies you disability assistance or reduces your benefits, you have the right to challenge their decision. See our information on [https://dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca/income-assistance-appeals/ reconsiderations and appeals of income assistance].


*'''[http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/ The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities]''': the Coalition has information on [http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/money.htm BC disability benefits and Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits]. These publications have checklists, help sheets, application guides, and appeal guides. Call 604.875.0188 in Vancouver and 1.800.663.1278 elsewhere in BC.
===A warrant is out for my arrest. Can I get disability assistance?===
Not if you have an outstanding arrest warrant for an indictable or hybrid offence anywhere in Canada. If you do, you cannot get income or disability assistance in BC. You must first do something about the warrant. See our information on [https://dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca/outstanding-warrants-and-welfare/ outstanding warrants and welfare].


*'''[http://www.tapsbc.ca/ Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS)]''': based in Victoria, TAPS offers free legal help for people with income assistance, disability benefits, and tenancy issues. Call 250.361.3521.
==Who can help==
===With applying for disability benefits===
For help in applying for disability benefits, you could seek out an '''advocate'''. Advocates are community workers trained to help people, including with the paperwork involved. PovNet has a [https://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find an Advocate Map at povnet.org]. Clicklaw’s [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap HelpMap] lists dozens of advocates in BC.


*'''[http://www.lss.bc.ca/ Legal Services Society (LSS) BC]''': LSS provides free legal information. The publication called “[http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/publications/pub.php?pub=167 Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance]” has information on social assistance.
At '''student legal clinics''' in the Lower Mainland and Victoria, law students help people with disabilities who cannot afford a lawyer. The students help with applying for disability benefits and with appeals. In Victoria, call 250-385-1221 or visit [https://www.uvic.ca/law/about/centre/ uvic.ca/law/about/centre]. In the Lower Mainland, call 604-822-5791 or visit [http://www.lslap.bc.ca/ lslap.bc.ca].


*'''[[Income Assistance: Reconsiderations and Appeals (Script 288)| Script 288, Income Assistance: Reconsiderations and Appeals]]''': this Dial-A-Law script explains that if you apply for or receive monthly income or disability assistance, you have the right to a reconsideration, and then an appeal, of most decisions that deny, reduce, or end that assistance. The script includes a link to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal ([http://www.gov.bc.ca/eaat www.gov.bc.ca/eaat]).
===More information===
'''Disability Alliance BC''' has help sheets on [http://disabilityalliancebc.org/category/publications/help-sheets/ BC disability benefits] and [http://disabilityalliancebc.org/category/publications/cpp-disability/ Canada Pension Plan disability benefits].
* Call 1-800-663-1278
* [http://disabilityalliancebc.org/ Visit website]


'''Legal Aid BC''' offers free booklets on “[https://legalaid.bc.ca/publications/pub/your-welfare-rights-how-apply-welfare How to Apply for Welfare]” and “[https://legalaid.bc.ca/publications/pub/your-welfare-rights-welfare-benefits Welfare Benefits]” that explain disability assistance from the BC government.
* Call 1-866-577-2525
* [http://legalaid.bc.ca/ Visit website]


[updated August 2014]
The '''Canadian government''' offers a [https://benefitsfinder.services.gc.ca/hm?GoCTemplateCulture=en-CA Benefits Finder] at benefitsfinder.services.gc.ca that asks several questions about your situation and gives a list of possible government benefit programs, with links to more information.
 
 
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Latest revision as of 01:21, 7 November 2023

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by David Butcher KC, Wilson Butcher in June 2018.

People with disabilities have options to get financial help from the government. Learn about the government programs available, and where you can turn to get help and find more information.

What you should know

Disability assistance for “persons with disabilities”

Someone can get disability assistance from the BC government if they are designated as a “person with disabilities." If you qualify for disability assistance, you get a higher monthly income than someone on basic income assistance in BC. You also get a wider range of medical benefits (such as coverage for health equipment), a higher asset limit (meaning you can own more and still qualify for assistance), and more income exemptions.

Qualifying for the benefit

To qualify for disability assistance:

  • You must be at least 18, live in BC, and meet immigration rules.
  • You must have income and assets within certain limits.
  • Your disability must be severe, expected to last at least two years, and restrict your daily living activities.
  • You must also need help from another person, an assistive device, or an assistance animal.

Applying for the benefit

To get disability assistance, you apply to the government Ministry responsible for welfare in BC, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. To start, you apply for welfare and attend an eligibility interview.

If you meet the Ministry’s basic criteria, you complete a persons with disabilities (PWD) application form. The form includes portions for your doctor and other health professionals to complete.

For more information, see the Ministry’s website at gov.bc.ca/sdpr or call 1-866-866-0800.

Shortly, we describe options for getting help in applying for benefits.

Tax benefits for people with disabilities

Several tax benefits are available to people with disabilities. A key one is the disability tax credit. It helps a person with disabilities or those supporting them reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.

For someone to be eligible for the disability tax credit, a medical practitioner must certify the person has a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. The Canada Revenue Agency website has details at cra-arc.gc.ca/disability.

Tip

Being eligible for the disability tax credit can open the door to other government programs such as the registered disability savings plan (explained shortly) and the child disability benefit (a tax-free monthly payment made to families with a child who has a severe and prolonged disability).

Savings plan for people with disabilities

A registered disability savings plan (RDSP) is a savings plan intended to help parents and others save for the long-term financial security of a disabled person.

For every $1 put in an RDSP account, the federal government can match with up to $3. This is the Canada Disability Savings Grant.

For people living on a low income (less than $30,000), the federal government will put in $1,000 each year for 20 years. This is the Canada Disability Savings Bond.

Anyone under 60 who is eligible for the disability tax credit can establish an RDSP. For more information, see the federal government website at canada.ca/rdsp.

Disability benefits for workers

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides benefits to workers who become disabled. If you become disabled and cannot work at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for a monthly disability benefit under the CPP.

The amount of your disability benefit is based on how much you contributed to the Canada Pension Plan while working. The federal government website provides current benefit amounts at canada.ca/cpp.

Qualifying for the benefit

To qualify for a CPP disability benefit:

You must be under age 65.

You must have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan for at least four of the last six years (or three of the last six years if you have contributed for at least 25 years).

The government must find you have a physical or mental disability that is both severe and prolonged.

“Severe” means you have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of gainful work. “Prolonged” means your disability is long-term and indefinite or is likely to result in death.

Applying for the benefit

You must apply in writing for the CPP disability benefit. To get the application form, go to canada.ca/cpp or call toll-free 1-800-277-9914.

Shortly, we describe options for getting help in applying for benefits.

Other government benefits for disabled workers

Employment Insurance benefits

Disabled workers can also seek help through the Employment Insurance (EI) program. EI provides benefits to people who lose their jobs. It also helps those who can’t work because of sickness, or need time off work to care for a family member.

You may be eligible to get up to 15 weeks of EI sickness benefits if you're unable to work because of sickness or injury.

EI also offers family caregiver benefits and compassionate care benefits. These can help if you have to miss work temporarily to care for a family member who is critically ill or injured, or gravely ill with a significant risk of death.

For more on EI benefits, see the federal government website at canada.ca/ei.

Workers compensation benefits

You may be able to get compensation from WorkSafeBC if you're a victim of a work accident or have a work-related illness.

Support for return to work

The Canada Pension Plan offers a voluntary program to help CPP disability benefit recipients return to work. The program offers vocational counseling, financial support for training, and job search services.

Financial help for students with disabilities

Several government programs offer financial help for students with disabilities.

Grants and bursaries for students with disabilities

The federal government offers a grant program for students with a permanent disability. It is designed to help with the cost of post-secondary education.

The BC government offers a supplemental bursary for students with a permanent disability. Another BC grant program, the access grant, helps students with a permanent disability by replacing $1,000 in BC student loan funding.

The federal government also offers a grant program for services and equipment for students with a permanent disability. This is to help disabled students who require exceptional education-related services or equipment.

If you have used the funds available through that federal grant program, you can apply to receive the BC government’s assistance for exceptional services and equipment for disabled students.

Forgiven student loans

The BC government offers a student loan repayment assistance plan for borrowers with a permanent disability. This plan helps you manage your student loan debt by reducing your monthly payment and letting you pay back what you can reasonably afford.

Students with a severe permanent disability can apply to have their student loans forgiven (so they don’t have to repay the loans). To qualify, the disability must prevent them from working and from participating in post-secondary studies for the rest of their life.

Tip

The BC government’s StudentAid BC website has information on student loans, grants, and scholarships. Search the site for “disability” to find information on programs for students with disabilities.

Common questions

The government turned down my application for disability assistance. Can I challenge it?

Yes. If the BC Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction denies you disability assistance or reduces your benefits, you have the right to challenge their decision. See our information on reconsiderations and appeals of income assistance.

A warrant is out for my arrest. Can I get disability assistance?

Not if you have an outstanding arrest warrant for an indictable or hybrid offence anywhere in Canada. If you do, you cannot get income or disability assistance in BC. You must first do something about the warrant. See our information on outstanding warrants and welfare.

Who can help

With applying for disability benefits

For help in applying for disability benefits, you could seek out an advocate. Advocates are community workers trained to help people, including with the paperwork involved. PovNet has a Find an Advocate Map at povnet.org. Clicklaw’s HelpMap lists dozens of advocates in BC.

At student legal clinics in the Lower Mainland and Victoria, law students help people with disabilities who cannot afford a lawyer. The students help with applying for disability benefits and with appeals. In Victoria, call 250-385-1221 or visit uvic.ca/law/about/centre. In the Lower Mainland, call 604-822-5791 or visit lslap.bc.ca.

More information

Disability Alliance BC has help sheets on BC disability benefits and Canada Pension Plan disability benefits.

Legal Aid BC offers free booklets on “How to Apply for Welfare” and “Welfare Benefits” that explain disability assistance from the BC government.

The Canadian government offers a Benefits Finder at benefitsfinder.services.gc.ca that asks several questions about your situation and gives a list of possible government benefit programs, with links to more information.

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