Latest news with #disabilitybenefit
CBC
an hour ago
- Health
- CBC
Applications open for Canada's new disability benefit program
Canada's new disability benefit — a program that provides eligible people with up to $200 a month — is now open for applications. The program is available to people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 who already have been approved for the disability tax credit. The government says payments are set to begin in July. The payments are meant to supplement provincial and territorial programs, and Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said all provinces and territories except for Alberta have pledged not to claw back their own benefits. The benefit was part of the Trudeau Liberal government's promise to help lift people with disabilities out of poverty. Many advocates for people with disabilities have panned the benefit, saying it will do little to actually address poverty. Hajdu, whose new portfolio covers disabilities, said she has heard that criticism. "I don't think that disability [benefit] is what a person needs to sustain themselves, and I don't think it was designed in that way," she said in a recent interview. "But it is a payment that allows for a fuller autonomy of people with disabilities in that it's not directed towards any specific thing. It is a benefit that people can use to supplement whatever other earnings or income that they have." As part of the program, the government is providing funding to community organizations to help people who may need guidance on applying for the tax credit or the benefit program.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Applications open for new disability benefit program, payments start next month
Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on June 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle OTTAWA — Canada's new disability benefit — a program that provides eligible people with up to $200 a month — is now open for applications. The program is available to people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 who already have been approved for the disability tax credit. The government says applications will be reviewed by June 30 and payments are set to begin in July. The payments are meant to supplement provincial and territorial programs and Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said all provinces and territories except for Alberta have pledged not to claw back their own benefits. The benefit was part of the Trudeau Liberal government's promise to help lift people with disabilities out of poverty. Many advocates for people with disabilities have panned the benefit, saying it will do little to actually address poverty. Hajdu, whose new portfolio covers disabilities, said she has heard that criticism. 'I don't think that disability (benefit) is what a person needs to sustain themselves, and I don't think it was designed in that way,' she said in a recent interview. 'But it is a payment that allows for a fuller autonomy of people with disabilities in that it's not directed towards any specific thing. It is a benefit that people can use to supplement whatever other earnings or income that they have.' As part of the program, the government is providing funding to community organizations to help people who may need guidance on applying for the tax credit or the benefit program. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Applications open for new disability benefit program, payments start next month
OTTAWA — Canada's new disability benefit — a program that provides eligible people with up to $200 a month — is now open for applications. The program is available to people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 who already have been approved for the disability tax credit. The government says applications will be reviewed by June 30 and payments are set to begin in July. The payments are meant to supplement provincial and territorial programs and Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said all provinces and territories except for Alberta have pledged not to claw back their own benefits. The benefit was part of the Trudeau Liberal government's promise to help lift people with disabilities out of poverty. Many advocates for people with disabilities have panned the benefit, saying it will do little to actually address poverty. Hajdu, whose new portfolio covers disabilities, said she has heard that criticism. "I don't think that disability (benefit) is what a person needs to sustain themselves, and I don't think it was designed in that way," she said in a recent interview. "But it is a payment that allows for a fuller autonomy of people with disabilities in that it's not directed towards any specific thing. It is a benefit that people can use to supplement whatever other earnings or income that they have." As part of the program, the government is providing funding to community organizations to help people who may need guidance on applying for the tax credit or the benefit program. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Pip claimants at record 3.7 million as welfare reforms loom
More than 3.7 million people in England and Wales are claiming the main disability benefit, new figures show, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. The latest data comes just days after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insisted his welfare reforms must be pushed through, repeating his assertion that the system as it stands is not working. The Government has faced a backlash from its own MPs over the package of measures, which ministers argue will help the disabled and long-term sick back into work. Dozens of Labour MPs last month urged Sir Keir to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. The plans, which include tightening eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip) benefit, are hoped by the Government to save around £5 billion a year. The latest data, published by the Department for Work and Pensions on Tuesday, showed there were a record 3.74 million people in England and Wales claiming Pip as of April this year. The figure is up from 3.69 million in January and a jump of 200,000 from 3.54 million a year earlier. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Teenagers and young adults account for a growing proportion of those getting Pip. Some 16.5% of claimants in April this year were aged 16-19, up from 14.6% in April 2019. There has been a similar rise for the 30-44 age group, which accounted for 21.0% in April this year, up from 18.9% in April 2019. By contrast, 45-59 year-olds made up 29.9% of claimants in April, down from 37.2% in 2019. The figure for 60-74 year-olds has risen slightly over this period, from 29.3% to 30.8%. It was reported in recent days that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has agreed to include 'non-negotiable' protections in the Welfare Reform Bill, including a guarantee that those who no longer qualify for Pip will still receive the payments for 13 weeks, rather than just four weeks, The concession is seen as a move to avert a rebellion by Labour MPs opposed to the overall reforms, but have been described as 'not very much really' by one such parliamentarian. Speaking at the weekend, Sir Keir made clear his intention to push ahead with the reforms. Asked whether there would be further concessions, the PM said: 'Well we have got to get the reforms through and I have been clear about that from start to finish. 'The system is not working, it's not working for those that need support, it's not working for taxpayers. 'Everybody agrees it needs reform, we have got to reform it and that is what we intend to do.' It is thought the restrictions on Pip would slash benefits for about 800,000 people. Ms Kendall previously said there are 1,000 new Pip awards every day – 'the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year'. 'This is not sustainable or fair for the people who need support and for taxpayers,' she said.
