Enhanced Benefits for Seniors and the Disabled

Walter Harder

The Speech from the Throne indicates that the government will be following through on several promises made in the last election. Promises for seniors include enhancements to Old Age Security (OAS) and the Canada Pension Plan Survivor’s Benefit. For the disabled, a new Canadian Disability Benefit will be introduced, along with an employment strategy and improved processes to determine program and benefit eligibility. Here are the details:

Old Age Security. Old Age Security payment will increase when the recipient turns 75.  In the Liberal’s election platform, they promised an increase of 10% in OAS payments once the recipient turns 75.  

Canada Pension Plan Survivor’s Benefit. The Liberals also promised that the CPP Survivor’s Benefit would be increased by 25% if they were elected.  The Speech from the Throne indicates that the survivor’s benefit will be increased.

Benefits for the Disabled

The speech promised several improvements for the disabled.  These include:

• A new Canadian Disability Benefit, modelled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).The GIS is available to low-income seniors. Following that model, the new Canada Disability Benefit would be available to low-income individuals who are disabled. Details have not been announced, so it is not clear whether this benefit will only be available to those who are eligible for the Disability Amount or to a wider group, including recipients of the CPP Disability Benefit and disability benefits from Veterans Affairs.
• A better process to determine eligibility for government programs and benefits for the disabled.The current system relies on a medical practitioner completing Form T2201 and then submitting the form to the CRA for their approval.
• The speech also promised a “robust employment strategy for Canadians with disabilities.”No details of this strategy have been released.

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