Canada Disability Benefit to remain exempt from clawbacks in BC
Today, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) formalized its commitment to exempt the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) from clawbacks for all recipients of provincial income, disability and hardship benefits in BC. This means that provincial assistance recipients will be able to receive the entire benefit (a maximum of $200/month for those who are eligible for the CDB).
This announcement coincides with CDB applications being made available! As of today, you can apply for the benefit. See detailed information on how to apply here:
https://www.canadadisabilitybenefit.ca/how-can-i-apply-for-the-cdb.
DABC can help every step of the way, whether you need help with a DTC application, renewal, or denial, filing your 2024 taxes, gathering necessary documents, or navigating a CDB application or appeal! Email dtc@dabc.ca for assistance.
Read MSDPR’s news release here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025SDPR0008-000604
DTC Medical Fee Fund Applications: Now Open!
People with disabilities should not have to pay money to access social and financial supports.
DABC is excited to announce the opening of applications for the DTC Medical Fees Fund to residents of BC from April 17 to May 17! We announced the launch of this Fund last October during RDSP Awareness Month and are sincerely grateful to those who have contributed to the fund thus far. This fund is to help cover charges by medical practitioners for assistance with the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) application for individuals who face financial barriers to applying. The DTC is a crucial financial benefit meant to reduce the taxes someone with a disability or their supporting family members owe, as well as provide access to numerous financial programs such as the Canada Workers Benefit Disability Supplement, Child Disability Benefit, Canada Dental Care Plan, and Registered Disability Savings Plan. There is also the new Canada Disability Benefit that is coming this July, which will be available to low-income individuals with the DTC.
The paperwork required by medical practitioners can be lengthy and there is no current regulation on the cost that they can charge for this paperwork. For those living in poverty, this added financial burden can prevent them from accessing the benefit.
Who is Eligible
This fund is eligible to residents of BC only. You can apply to this fund if you have been charged or expect to be charged a medical fee to apply for the DTC on or after October 1, 2024.
As the purpose of this fund is to provide those who are low-income with the financial support they need to apply for the DTC, eligibility will be determined by two factors:
- Current income level
- Why you need help from this fund
We encourage all to apply, but preference will be given to those who face financial barriers applying for the DTC.
Proof of income is accepted in a variety of ways including but not limited to: previous tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, proof of PWD Designation, proof of social assistance.
Once qualified applicants are selected, we will also request proof that you have paid or will be charged a medical practitioner fee. As funding is limited, we anticipate we will not be able to fund all those eligible. We will assess and approve applications in the order that they come in.
How to Apply
- Applications will be accepted through an online application form.
- Applications will be accepted from April 15, 2025 until May 15, 2025.
- Applications will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
If it is not possible for you to apply online, or if you need any assistance with the application, you can call (604) 923-8136 or email dtc@dabc.ca for assistance.
Apply Here
Please note, this fund is rolling, and we are looking to continue to raise more money to support applications. We will accept applications again once there is more funding available. Follow us on social media to keep updated when applications are open again.
