The government announced a series of measures to help Canadians with disabilities navigate the effects of the pandemic, including a one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment of $600 to assist with expenses incurred during the pandemic. In order to be eligible for the payment, an individual must be a recipient of any of the following programs:
- A Disability Tax Credit certificate provided by the Canada Revenue Agency;
- Canada Pension Plan disability benefit or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefit; and
- Disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada.
If you are eligible, the payment will be received automatically. Additionally, if a Canadian with a disability would be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, but has not yet applied, the person would have 60 days from the time the legislation is approved to apply.
Seniors who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit will only receive a total of $600 in special payments. Therefore, they would only receive $300 from the disability support if receiving Old Age Security pension, and $100 if receiving the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement due to support already announced for those programs.
