DABC has submitted an advocacy letter addressed to Hon. Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction regarding the treatment of EI benefits on PWD income. The Ministry had provided a temporary exemption on EI benefits starting in April 2020 and which ended in November 2021, We feel strongly that EI benefits should be considered earned income that can be treated under the annualized earnings exemption limit rather than clawing back monthly PWD income dollar for dollar as is currently the case. Please read our full advocacy letter here:

https://disabilityalliancebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Minister-Simons-DABC-Letter-on-EI-Exemption-for-PWD-Clients.pdf 

Searching for government benefits that are relevant to you can feel like wading through a huge ocean of information. With so many benefits programs out there, it can be hard to know where to start.

Introducing the Benefits wayfinder, developed by national charity Prosper Canada and sponsored by TD Bank! The wayfinder is a simple, easy to use, plain language tool that helps you find and track benefits you could get. The information and resources provided are from federal, provincial, and territorial governments, updated on an ongoing basis as new information becomes available.

Access the Benefits wayfinder here: https://benefitswayfinder.org.

Close to 12,350 members of the public have signed a House of Commons petition, initiated by Disability Without Poverty, calling for:

• Fast-tracking the design and implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit
• Active and genuine involvement of disabled people every step of the way, from start to finish.

Sign the petition here: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3656.