April 16th, 2024

Today, the federal government released Budget 2024. Included in the Budget is new information about the Canada Disability Benefit Act (CDB), which received Royal Assent on June 22nd, 2023, but has yet to come into force.

Budget 2024 reveals the following updates about the CDB:

• The CDB will likely provide a maximum of $2,400 per year to eligible Canadians with disabilities.
• Only people with disabilities, ages 18-64, who live on low incomes and have been found eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) will be eligible for the CDB.
• Eligible Canadians will likely begin receiving CDB payments as of July 2025.
• The federal government will provide $243 million over six years, beginning in 2024-25, and $41 million per year ongoing, to cover the cost of the medical forms required to apply for the Disability Tax Credit, to expand access to the DTC and therefore the CDB.
• The federal government is calling on provinces and territories to ensure that CDB payments are not clawed back from provincial or territorial income/disability supports.

While DABC is happy to see a timeline for the enactment of the Canada Disability Benefit and the government’s recommendation against clawbacks, we are extremely disappointed to learn about the Disability Tax Credit eligibility requirement and the proposed $2,400/year cap. It can be very difficult for people with disabilities to be approved for the DTC due to its strict eligibility requirements, and $2,400/year is woefully inadequate; it will not lift most people with disabilities who are eligible for the CDB out of poverty.

DABC will continue to provide feedback to the government on the development of the Canada Disability Benefit.

In more positive news for Canadians with disabilities, “Budget 2024 announces the government’s intention to amend the Income Tax Act to make additional expenses eligible for the Disability Supports Deduction, subject to certain conditions, such as:

• service animals trained to perform specific tasks for people with certain severe impairments;
• alternative computer input devices, such as assistive keyboards, braille display, digital pens, and speech recognition devices;
• and, ­ergonomic work chairs and bed positioning devices, including related assessments.”

Read the full Budget plan here: https://budget.canada.ca/2024/report-rapport/budget-2024.pdf.

Plan Institute is seeking a Program Coordinator (1-Year Contract, Part Time)

Plan Institute is a nationally registered charity, whose mission is to empower people with disabilities to lead a good life.

As part of the Programs team, the Program Coordinator will support the planning, implementation, outreach, and evaluation of several key Plan Institute projects and initiatives. The individual in this role must be able to work independently and in collaboration with Plan Institute team members, contractors, and partner organizations. The Program Coordinator must also be comfortable offering direct support to a variety of community members over the phone and via email.

PI welcomes and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Accessible formats and communication supports are available for applicants by request; please contact info@planinstitute.ca.

View the job posting here: https://charityvillage.com/jobs/program-coordinator-1-year-contract-in-burnaby-burnaby-heights-willingdon-heights-west-central-valley-british-columbia-v5c-ca/

If you haven’t yet filed your 2023 income taxes, there’s still time! The deadline for filing 2023 income taxes is Tuesday, April 30th, 2024.

If you are a person with a disability living in BC on a low income, Tax AID DABC can help with filings for current and previous years. We offer one-on-one tax filing assistance in person, by phone, and by video conference.

Did you know that Tax AID DABC also offers drop-off tax filing services? If your tax situation is simple, you can drop off your tax information to our advocates for faster support. Bring your ID and tax slips to our office and pick up your package once your taxes have been completed. DABC’s office is located at 1450-605 Robson Street, Vancouver.

Regardless of whether you just drop off your tax info or meet with an advocate for assistance, please ensure that you have all of your tax slips ready in advance.

To access our online booking service or for contact info, please visit our website: https://taxaiddabc.org/tax-appointment-2/.