Since March 2020, DABC’s office has been closed to the public due to COVID-19. However, our staff continue to work remotely. Since the pandemic began, our organization has become increasingly overwhelmed by demand for our services, beyond what our staff capacity can provide within a reasonable time frame. For some of our programs, the waitlist to speak to an Advocate is several weeks long. As many of our programs and services target people with disabilities who are most in need, we are acutely aware that a long wait time affects them greatly, particularly as they await financial assistance.

We believe the reason for this increased demand is that prior to the pandemic, much of our client base was local – in Metro Vancouver. We are now able to assist clients remotely, and we have been receiving many more requests for assistance from across the province. Before the pandemic, many of our programs and services served clients exclusively in person in our office in Vancouver. For many of DABC’s programs and services, we are well known across the province for our knowledge and expertise; we are flattered that individuals requesting our assistance would prefer our Advocates to assist them, but the result has been longer wait times.

We are looking into more sustainable ways to increase our capacity, though as a non-profit organization reliant upon grants and donations, it is at times difficult to source more funding to increase our capacity. We apologize that our capacity does not currently allow us to meet this higher level of demand, but we are always willing to work with individuals to refer them to other non-profit organizations in their area that may be able to assist them in a shorter time frame. We ask that you please bear with us as we address this issue.

It’s tax season! Although our physical office remains closed due to COVID-19, DABC’s Tax AID team can help you file your taxes by videoconference, email or phone.

For more information and to book an appointment:
https://disabilityalliancebc.therightfitbc.org/direct-service/file-income-taxes/tax-appointment/

Beneficiaries of federal disability benefits in 2020 were eligible to receive a $600 one-time payment in recognition of extraordinary costs incurred during COVID-19.

If you were approved for the DTC as of mid-September 2020, you should have received your payment in October. Those approved as of November 25, 2020 should have received a payment in January. Those who applied for the DTC after this date may be expecting a payment in the Spring.

If you had the DTC or were approved by November 25, 2020 and you haven’t received your $600, there may be a problem with your payment.

Here are some steps you can take:

1.      Check your DTC eligibility by logging into your MyAccount or calling the CRA at 1-800-959-8281. Make sure your address and banking information is up to date.

2.      Call the CRA at to check that you’re on the list to receive a payment. You should have been entered automatically but this is a common procedural error. Once you’ve been added to the list, your payment should come in the Spring.

3.      If you’ve confirmed that all your information is correct, and you are already on the list, but you still haven’t received payment, call 1-800-277-9914 and they’ll investigate further.

The deadline to resolve issues is February 25^th.