Summary: A review of some of the remaining federal programs for disabled people: the Canada Disability Benefit and the Canada Caregiver Tax Credit, as well as the GST/HST rebate. Actual topic starts at 10:06 post all sorts of chat on various topics.

Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com

Links:

1. Tody app: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/tody/id595339588
2. Canada Disability Benefit
   1. Apply online: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/disability/canada-disability-benefit/apply.html#h2.2
   2. Calculator: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/disability/canada-disability-benefit/amount.html#h2.5
3. Canada Caregiver Tax Credit:
   https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/canada-caregiver-amount.html
4. GST/HST tax refund:
   https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/goods-services-tax-harmonized-sales-tax-gst-hst-credit.html
5. North Shore Disability Resource Centre resource guide for a good list of all federal benefit/tax programs: https://nsdrc.org/resource-guide/

Tips:

1. Canada Disability Benefit: In Canada, over 1.5 million people with disabilities lived below the poverty line in 2022, representing 1 in 6 people with disabilities. This benefit is supposed to help lift disabled people out of poverty.
2. The official poverty line is a set of 66 different thresholds based on the Market Basket Measure which determines the cost of a basic modest standard of living. Calculated to be approximately $2000-$4300/month, depending on where you live in Canada.
3. These "poverty lines" are often not very realistic as compared to actual cost of living.
4. Maximum income to get full benefit of $200/month is $23000 for a single person and $32500 for a couple.
5. If you're working they give an exemption for the first $10000 for a single or $14000 for a couple of income.
6. For 2025-2026 if you make more than this you won't qualify for the CDB:
   • Single Individual:
   • • $35,000 or more (if you have no working income).
     • $45,000 or more (if you have at least $10,000 in working income, utilizing the maximum exemption).
   • Couple (Only one person eligible for CDB):
   • • $44,500 or more (if no working income).
     • $58,500 or more (if you have at least $14,000 in combined working income).
   • Couple (Both eligible for CDB):
   • • $56,500 or more (if no working income).
     • $70,500 or more (if you have at least $14,000 in combined working income).
7. Qualifying: must have the DTC, have filed tax returns and have Canadian residency.
8. There can be back payments of up to 24 months
9. Wouldn't it be nice if the federal government just had one central application for all disability benefits???
10. Canada Caregiver Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit.
11. Who qualifies: Caregivers supporting a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew with an impairment.
12. Amount varies based on who you're supporting and how old they are. For 2025, you can claim anywhere from $2687 plus an additional $8601 depending on household circumstances. Varies if the dependant is a child vs and adult dependent vs a spouse. (Actual dollar amounts cut from episode as it was too confusing).
13. The CRA may require a signed statement from a medical professional confirming the impairment.
14. GST/HST refund - not disability specific but low income. A federal tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low or modest incomes offset some of the GST or HST they pay. Eligibility is determined automatically each year when you file your tax return.
15. North Shore Disability Resource Centre has a good resource guide of all federal benefit/tax programs. Look for similar in your city.