The Government of Canada has many programs to help you supplement your sources of income if you’re living with a disability. These include disability pensions, children’s benefits, savings plans and more. You may be eligible to get disability benefits from different sources. Apply for benefits as soon as possible. It may take up to several months before you receive any benefits.
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/disability.html
Agency: Employment and Social Development Canada
Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html
What These Benefits Offer
- EI sickness benefits can provide you with up to 26 weeks of financial assistance if you can’t work for medical reasons. You could receive 55% of your earnings up to a maximum of $668 a week.
- You must get a medical certificate showing that you’re unable to work for medical reasons and for approximately how long. Medical reasons include illness, injury, quarantine or any medical condition that prevents you from working.
How to Apply/Application
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/apply.html
Contact Information
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/ei-individual.html
Note: If your medical condition is expected to be long-term or permanent, you may be eligible for other benefits, such as Canada Pension Plan disability benefits or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits (see below).
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit.html
CPP Disability Benefit
The disability benefit is a monthly payment you can get if you:
- are under 65
- contributed enough to the Canada Pension Plan
- have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work
- have a disability that is long-term and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death
CPP Post-Retirement Disability Benefit
If you currently get the monthly CPP retirement pension, you could receive the Canada Pension Plan post-retirement disability benefit if you:
- are 60 to 65
- contributed enough to the CPP
- have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work
- have a disability that is long-term and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death
- have been receiving the CPP retirement pension for more than 15 months or become disabled after starting to receive the retirement pension
CPP Children’s Benefit
If you are getting a disability benefit, any of your dependent children can get a monthly payment if they are:
- under 18, or
- between 18 and 25 and attending school full time
How to Apply/Application
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit/apply.html
Contact Information
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/cpp.html
Note: If you live in Quebec, you would not apply for the disability benefit under the Canada Pension Plan. You can apply for the Quebec Pension Plan disability benefit (see provincial disability programs below).
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Children’s Benefit
Website
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-childrens-benefit.html
About This Program
- The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) children’s benefits provide monthly payments to the dependent children of disabled or deceased CPP contributors.
- A child may be eligible if:
- The parent or guardian is receiving a CPP disability benefit (either the disability benefit or the post-retirement disability benefit)
- They are under 18, or
- Under age 25 and in full-time attendance at a recognized school or university
How to Apply/Application
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-childrens-benefit.html
Contact Information
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/cpp.html
Note: Once a child turns 25, they are no longer eligible for these benefits.
Child Disability Benefit (CDB)
Website
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/child-disability-benefit.html
About This Program
- The child disability benefit (CDB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions.
- To get the CDB:
- You must be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
- Your child must be eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC)
How to Apply
If you are already getting the CCB for your child who is eligible for the DTC, you do not need to apply for the CDB. You will get it automatically.
- Applying for CCB: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview/canada-child-benefit-apply.html
- Applying for DTC: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities/disability-tax-credit/how-apply-dtc.html
Contact Information
For general questions related to the CDB, call 1-800-387-1193 or for information related to the DTC, call 1-800-959-8281.
Disability Benefits for Veterans
Website
About This Program
- A disability benefit is a tax-free, financial payment to support your well-being.
- The amount you receive depends on the degree to which your condition is related to your service (entitlement) and the severity of your condition, including its impact on your quality of life (assessment).
- To qualify for a disability benefit you must be one of the following:
- Canadian Armed Forces member or Veteran,
- a current or former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP),
- Second World War or Korean War Veteran (includes Merchant Navy), or
- certain civilians who served in the Second World War.
- You should apply for a disability benefit if you:
- have a diagnosed medical condition or disability; and
- are able to show that the condition is related to your service.
- If you qualify for a disability benefit, you will receive either a:
- Pain and Suffering Compensation – a life-time monthly benefit or lump sum benefit – the choice is yours.
- Disability Pension * – a life-time monthly benefit. If you have any dependents (e.g. spouse, common-law partner and/or children), your monthly amount will be increased.
- *A Disability Pension is provided if you served with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in the Second World War or Korean War. For other CAF service, a disability pension is provided in relation to any application prior to April 1, 2006.
How to Apply/Application
https://veterans.gc.ca/en/news-and-media/articles-veterans-and-families/what-do-i-need-include-my-application-disability-benefit OR https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/about-vac/resources/forms/document/pen-923
Contact Information
Student Aid
Website
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/disabilities.html
Education funding for people with disabilities:
- Grants for students with permanent disabilities
- Financial assistance for students with a permanent disability enrolled at a designated post-secondary institution.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/grants/disabilities.html
- How to Apply/Application: Apply for student aid with your province or territory https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/province-apply.html
- Grants for services and equipment for students with permanent disabilities:
- A grant towards tuition, textbook, and accommodation costs for eligible students with a permanent disability.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/disabilities-service-equipment.html
- How to Apply/Application: Apply for student aid with your province or territory https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/province-apply.html
- Canada student loans program – Severe permanent disability benefit
- How a borrower can have student loans forgiven if they have a severe and permanent disability preventing them from pursuing further post-secondary education and from working.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/repay/assistance/severe-disability.html
- How to Apply/Application: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/repay/assistance/severe-disability/apply.html
- Contact Information: For more information, contact the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) at 1-888-815-4514 and request to have your call forwarded to the CSFA program. TTY service is available toll-free 1-866-667-8554.