Fix Canada Disability Benefit
Petitioners ask the Government to fix the Canada Disability Benefit and by Feb 28, 2026 provide each person on disability support a one-time $5,000 tax-free, non-recoverable, non-means-tested payment. The government responds that it introduced a $200/month indexed benefit.
Why we would sign this petition
- Provides immediate financial relief: a $5,000 tax-free, non-recoverable payment would quickly raise recipients’ incomes to meet basic needs.
- Could reduce harms petitioners cite — poverty-related mental-health crises, homelessness and pressures to seek MAID — by easing short-term financial strain.
- Signals political commitment while broader CDB fixes proceed, and its non-means-tested, non-clawback design simplifies access.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- A broad one-time payment to all disability recipients may be expensive and blunt; funds might better target those in greatest need.
- A tight Feb 28, 2026 deadline and cross-jurisdiction eligibility checks risk implementation delays or errors.
- Improving the ongoing CDB (higher recurring benefit and easier access) could be a more sustainable alternative than a single payment.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada Disabled people in Canada are living in government imposed poverty; The CDB is financially inadequate in providing meaningful support; The CDB isn't what was promised: it's supposed to be an easily accessible disability benefit that would bring all disabled Canadians above the poverty line immediately, with all doctors forms paid for; The current inadequate disability supports are contributing to mental health issues, homelessness, crime, and mayhem on our streets; Disabled people have lost hope that anyone cares, many turning to MAID because we can't afford to live, asking why we are not being supported to live but have easy supports to die; Many disabled people have fallen off the financial cliff, owing people money, and can't afford their basic needs, forcing them to panhandle and start GoFundMe pages; Disabled people feel discriminated against by their own governments every single day that their basic human right needs are ignored and left drowning in deep poverty; and Disabled people are not living in a fair society, and have felt intentionally left behind, and are living a cruel undignified unsafe life. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to show disabled people that government will fix the CDB, in the meantime alleviating some financial pressures from the rising costs of everyday life by giving every disabled person across Canada on PWD, CPPD, or any other disability support a one-time emergency support of $5000 tax-free, not means tested, by February 28, 2026 that can't be clawed back by anyone.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Signed by Annie Koutrakis The Government recognizes that persons with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty than persons without disabilities. That is why the Government introduced the new Canada Disability Benefit to support the financial security of working age, low-income persons with disabilities by providing them with direct financial support. This benefit is intended to supplement existing income support programs for working-age Canadians with disabilities – many of which are?provided by the provinces and territories (e.g., social assistance). The Canada Disability Benefit currently provides $200 per month – up to $2,400 per year to eligible low-income persons with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64, and to fill a gap in the federal social safety net between the Canada Child Benefit, Canada Pension Plan-Disability and Old Age Security. Note that the Canada Disability Benefit is indexed to inflation and starting in July 2026, it will be adjusted once a year to account for increases in the cost of living – meaning that the benefit amount will only ever increase and never decrease. The Government of Canada also recognizes that for many, obtaining a Disability Tax Credit certificate, which is required in order to apply for the Canada Disability Benefit, is a financial barrier. That is why the Government of Canada has taken action – Budget 2025 announced that the costs of applying for the Disability Tax Credit will be offset by providing a supplemental Canada Disability Benefit payment of $150 for each Disability Tax Credit certification or re-certification resulting in an entitlement to the Canada Disability Benefit. More broadly, the Government of Canada continues efforts to ensure that the Canada Disability Benefit is as accessible as possible. Since June 20, 2025, Canadians have been able to submit their application for the Canada Disability Benefit on the web via the application portal, by phone and in person at a Service Canada Centre. In addition, those who are been approved for the Disability Tax Credit, file their taxes and meet most of the eligibility criteria are sent a letter inviting them to apply for the Canada Disability Benefit using a streamlined application. There have been positive reviews of this application process. To further improve awareness and efficiency, the Government of Canada has funded 14 community-based organizations across Canada to provide accessible, individualized services for free, in order to help navigate the many federal, provincial and territorial programs that support persons with disabilities. The list of organizations providing disability benefits navigation services is available on Employment and Social Development Canada’s website. As with all other federal government benefits and programs, improvements to the Canada Disability Benefit continue to evolve over time. The Government of Canada continues to consider all perspectives provided by stakeholders and the disability community to inform future changes to the benefit.