Federal Government Announces COVID-19 Related Benefits for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families
Media Release: Federal Government Announces COVID-19 Related Benefits for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families
For immediate release – June 8, 2020
Inclusion Alberta is pleased to share that the Federal government recently announced a total of $550 million in support of Canadians with disabilities and their families to assist in addressing the continuing impact of COVID-19.
$600 will flow to every family in receipt of the Child Disability Benefit and to every individual eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Families and individuals do not need to apply for this benefit as it will be automatically forwarded to those who are eligible. The payment will be non-taxable and non-reportable, meaning that it should not impact AISH.
In addition, $15 million will be added to the Federal Opportunities Fund to create a new National Workplace Accessibility fund to facilitate the employment of individuals with disabilities as the economy begins to open and additional monies are also being allocated to the Accessible Technology Program.
Barb MacIntyre, Inclusion Alberta President and the parent of an adult son with developmental disabilities stated, “The pandemic has added significantly to the challenges many individuals with disabilities and their families ordinarily experience, from limited employment opportunities to accessing supports. This announcement is clearly appreciated but the use of the DTC limits who will benefit. Many Canadians with disabilities have not applied for the DTC and it can be costly and challenging to successfully complete the application process. We will continue to advocate with the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) for much needed improvements to the DTC.”
“Inclusion Alberta and CACL have established very successful avenues to employment for individuals with developmental disabilities, although the vast majority of individuals with developmental disabilities who can be valuable and contributing employees remain unemployed”, stated Trish Bowman, Inclusion Alberta CEO. “It will be vitally important to ensure these new Federal employment and accessible technology initiatives are inclusive of individuals with developmental disabilities.”
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For media inquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Tara-Lee LaRose, Executive Assistant, Inclusion Alberta
About Inclusion Alberta: Inclusion Alberta is a family-based, non-profit federation that advocates on behalf of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Together, we share a dream of meaningful family life and community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities. As an advocacy organization we support families and individuals in their desire to be fully included in community life.