Trudeau announces help for Canadians with disabilities

Trudeau announces help for Canadians with disabilities. $15M will be provided to community organizations

Canadians living with disabilities are facing significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some experiencing job insecurity and others seeing increased costs for personal support workers, medication, and medical supplies. As the government works together with the provinces to restart the economy, the Trudeau administration continues to make the health and safety of all Canadians a priority.

Today, Prime Minister Trudeau announced support to help Canadians with disabilities deal with extra expenses during the pandemic.

“To make it through this difficult time, we need to look out for one another. Canadians with disabilities are facing significant challenges because of COVID-19, as they work to access essential services and care, and provide for their families. With today’s announcement, we are stepping up to make sure they have the support they need to make it through this crisis.”The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

This support includes a special one-time, tax-free payment to individuals who are certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit as of June 1, 2020, as follows:

• $600 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate.  
• $300 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.
• $100 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the OAS pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

Combined with the special payments of $300 for Canadians who are eligible for the OAS pension and the additional $200 for those eligible for the GIS, all seniors with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate will receive a total of $600 in special payments. People who are eligible for this special payment will receive it automatically.

To help Canadians with disabilities get and maintain good jobs so they can continue to support themselves and their families, the government will:

• Create a National Workplace Accessibility Stream through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. A new investment of $15 million in 2020-21 will provide community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19, including by helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home arrangements. This support will also cover expanding accessible online training opportunities and helping connect Canadians with disabilities working from home with employers.

• Invest $1.18 million in five new projects across the country through the Accessible Technology Program. With this funding, organizations will develop dynamic and affordable technology, such as accessible payment terminals for retailers and tools to make communication easier for Canadians with disabilities in the digital economy.

As we mark National AccessAbility Week, the government reaffirms their commitment to continue listening to and working in partnership with persons with disabilities to maintain their health, safety, and dignity as we address the wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19.

Also, Worth Reading
The Government of Spain approves Minimum Living Income