QUESTION PERIOD — Employment and Social Development
Canada Disability Benefit
October 2, 2025
Senator Moreau, in July, the much-anticipated Canada Disability Benefit was finally rolled out. However, within the first two months of the rollout, many technical issues have delayed people from receiving their payments in a timely manner, and some have even been prevented from being approved for the benefit.
As you know, some advocates have also argued that the current benefit design will not actually contribute to poverty reduction. Could you tell us how many people have been approved for the benefit and actually received it to date, and if Service Canada has resolved the technical issues that prevented those eligible people from receiving the benefit? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Senator Coyle. I do not have the latest number at this time. However, the government does estimate that the Canada Disability Benefit will improve the financial well-being of over 600,000 low-income individuals, helping to reduce poverty and promote inclusion. The Canada Disability Benefit is a key component of Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan and represents a significant step in reducing poverty and improving financial security for working-age people with disabilities.
I hope to get the actual numbers.
To be eligible for the benefit, a person must qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. However, many Canadians with disabilities find accessing that credit restrictive, burdensome and very time-consuming. Some do not even have family doctors who can sign off on the application. Minister Hajdu recently said that the government is committed to improving the benefit over time. Senator Moreau, could you elaborate on how the government plans to improve the benefit to ensure better access to that benefit and, hopefully, increase the level to a meaningful amount?
To respond to your first question, I will try my best to provide the actual number. I will get it to you as soon as possible.
I have been informed that Canadians can now apply online, by phone, by teletypewriter, through the Canada Video Relay Service, by mail, in person at a Service Canada office and through community outreach and liaison services. The Government of Canada remains focused on ensuring that persons with disabilities receive meaningful support for timely and reliable access to the benefit.
