🔥 Canada Disability Benefit: A Step Forward, But Is It Enough?

The federal government has finalized the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) regulations, and the first payments will be issued in July 2025. On March 3, 2025, Minister Kamal Khera confirmed that the regulations will come into force on May 15, 2025—a historic milestone for disability rights in Canada.

But while this announcement is being celebrated as progress, serious concerns remain.

📌 $200 per month—far below what is needed to reduce poverty.
📌 Eligibility tied to the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)—a barrier for many disabled Canadians.
📌 $6.1 billion over six years—but no plan to increase benefit levels in future budgets.
📌 The government says it consulted the disability community, but many advocates say key concerns were overlooked.
📌 Some provinces, like Alberta, plan to claw it back—reducing AISH payments dollar for dollar.

👉 Is this truly a win, or is the government just checking a box?

The Good, The Bad, and The Clawbacks

The government says the CDB will:
✅ Provide up to $2,400 per year for low-income disabled Canadians.
✅ Be indexed to inflation so it doesn’t lose value over time.
✅ Launch in July 2025, with applications opening in June.
✅ Support over 600,000 Canadians with disabilities.

But here’s what they aren’t highlighting:
📌 $200 per month doesn’t come close to covering the added costs of living with a disability.
📌 If you don’t qualify for the DTC, you don’t qualify for the CDB—and many disabled people are denied the DTC due to overly strict eligibility rules.
📌 Some provinces, like Alberta, will deduct the CDB from AISH payments—meaning recipients won’t actually see a cent more in financial support.
📌 The government has emphasized “Nothing Without Us,” but advocates worry the consultation process did not fully address systemic barriers.

We fought for a real disability benefit—this is crumbs.

Will You Actually Get to Keep Your CDB Payments?

Here’s how different provinces are handling it:
✅ No Clawbacks: BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nunavut, Quebec.
⚠️ Unknown / No Commitment: Ontario.
🚨 Confirmed Clawbacks: Alberta—where the government will deduct the CDB from AISH payments.

This means if you’re in Alberta, you might not see a single extra dollar from the new benefit. Instead, the province just saves money while the feds foot the bill.

The CDB was supposed to lift disabled Canadians out of poverty. But in Alberta, it’s just a budget shuffle.

What Needs to Happen Next?

The CDB is a step forward—but it needs serious improvements to actually fulfill its purpose:
📌 No clawbacks—every province must let disabled people keep the full amount.
📌 Higher payments—$200/month isn’t nearly enough to address disability poverty.
📌 Easier eligibility—DTC restrictions mean too many disabled people won’t qualify.
📌 Real accountability—disabled people must be included in future decisions.

What You Can Do Right Now

🚨 The fight isn’t over. Here’s how you can take action:
📢 Share this post to raise awareness—most Canadians don’t even know about these clawbacks.
📨 Contact your MLA & MP—demand that your province fully exempts the CDB from social assistance calculations.
🔎 Stay informed—follow disability advocates who are tracking this issue closely.
❤️ Support organizations fighting for better disability benefits—because the work isn’t done.

I Want to Hear From You!

What are your thoughts on the CDB? Do you think it will make a real difference, or does it need major improvements? What kind of content would help you navigate this new benefit—guides on how to apply, eligibility tips, or breakdowns of provincial policies? Drop your ideas in the comments so we can create resources that provide real value to you! 💬👇