{"id":1360,"date":"2025-07-07T13:30:23","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T17:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guide.cophan.org\/?post_type=fiche&p=1360"},"modified":"2026-04-01T11:19:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:19:43","slug":"income","status":"publish","type":"fiche","link":"https:\/\/guide.cophan.org\/en\/thematic-fact-sheets\/income\/","title":{"rendered":"Income"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
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What are the financial struggles of persons with disabilities?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Personal income of persons with and without disabilities
aged 15 and over in Qu\u00e9bec in 2016<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Income<\/th>Estimated population of persons with disabilities<\/th>Percentage of persons with disabilities<\/th>Percentage of persons without disabilities<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
No income or less than $15,000<\/td>342,350<\/td>32.5% (+)<\/td>22.2%<\/td><\/tr>
$15,000 to $29,999<\/td>318,880<\/td>30.3% (+)<\/td>22.7%<\/td><\/tr>
$30,000 to $49,999<\/td>195,570<\/td>18.6% (-)<\/td>25.4%<\/td><\/tr>
$50,000 and over<\/td>196,560<\/td>18.7% (-)<\/td>29.7%<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/td>1,053,350<\/td>100%<\/td>100%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Statistics from a document published by the Office des personnes handicap\u00e9es du Qu\u00e9bec.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The income of persons with disabilities in Canada is a complex and largely neglected subject, despite the considerable challenges faced by this demographic. The daily lives of persons with disabilities often result in higher costs than those without disabilities, due in part to additional needs for health care, accessibility and support services. This reality is all the more problematic in a financial support system that frequently struggles to meet the real needs of these individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some specific barriers and how to address them: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the main income challenges faced by persons with disabilities is the difficulty in finding enough money to meet their basic needs. Costs associated with specialized equipment, therapies, mobility aids and health care can quickly accumulate, leaving little room for other expenses, such as housing, food and recreation. This makes for an economically precarious life for many persons with disabilities in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of housing, persons with disabilities face additional challenges. Accessible and adapted housing is often scarce and expensive, making it difficult for many persons with disabilities to find housing that meets their needs without spending a significant portion of their disposable income. Moreover, the modifications needed to make housing accessible can be costly, often forcing occupants to rely on government assistance or charity to obtain the necessary accommodations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to housing and medical costs, it is important to recognize that simply living with a disability creates additional costs in many other areas. Adapted transportation, home support services, specific personal care products and technological equipment are all examples of expenses that many persons with disabilities face on a daily basis. These costs contribute to a high level of poverty and financial insecurity among persons with disabilities in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these challenges, government programs to provide financial support to persons with disabilities do not fully meet their needs. Disability benefits and other financial assistance are often too low to enable persons with disabilities to adequately meet their needs, leaving them in persistent financial precariousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Persons with disabilities in Canada face many financial challenges, including the difficulty of setting a sufficient budget to cover the costs of daily living, the high price of accessible housing, and additional disability-related expenses. To improve this situation, it is imperative that the government recognize these realities and take meaningful steps to ensure adequate financial support, thereby enabling persons with disabilities to live independently and in a dignified manner.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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Overview of the situation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) will not solve every problem,1 <\/sup>the new CDB is an important step forward in recognizing and supporting Canadians with disabilities. However, its real impact on the lives of this population remains up for debate. This fact sheet examines the characteristics of the CDB, its ability to meet the needs of persons with disabilities and their ongoing challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Announced in the federal budget, the CDB provides an annual benefit of up to $2,400 (or $200 per month) to eligible Canadians with disabilities. The eligibility process is based on the disability tax credit (DTC). However, despite these advances, concerns remain about the adequacy of this benefit with respect to the real needs of persons with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 41% of low-income Canadians living with disabilities and 16.5% living in poverty, the CDB is a necessary but perhaps insufficient response. More than 1.5 million persons with disabilities live in precarious conditions, underscoring the urgency of more effective government action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the CDB represents progress, its monthly amount remains insufficient to lift persons with disabilities out of poverty. It is essential that the federal government review its approach to ensure that this community is truly financially self-sufficient. The dependence of the CDB\u2019s eligibility process on the disability tax credit is often criticized. It is imperative that the eligibility criteria be revised, and the tax credit program be reformed to better meet the needs of persons with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coordination between the two levels of government, particularly with respect to Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s Basic Income Program (BIP), is crucial. It is vital that government policies do not contradict each other and further aggravate the financial situation of persons with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The COPHAN believes that the CDB represents an important first step towards recognizing the financial support needs of persons with disabilities. However, adjustments are needed to ensure that this benefit truly meets the realities and challenges facing this population in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BIP is a relevant measure, but it is difficult to qualify for. To be eligible for the BIP, individuals must wait at least five and a half years as recipients of the Social Solidarity Program, where they receive only $1,138 a month. We believe such recipients should be immediately eligible for the BIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the BIP was intended to allow for the individualization of benefits, thereby promoting living together as a couple and eliminating financial dependence on a spouse. Unfortunately, the spouse\u2019s earnings from work will always be taken into account and deducted from the benefit on a declining basis starting at $28,000.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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Standards and obligations<\/h2>\n\n\n\r\n
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\r\n Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities<\/a>\r\n <\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is an international treaty adopted in 2006 to protect the rights of persons with disabilities worldwide. Canada, along with 183 other States Parties, has accepted the legal obligations contained in this Convention.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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\r\n Article 28: Adequate standard of living and social protection<\/a>\r\n <\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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  1. States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including access to adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement in their living conditions. They shall also take appropriate measures to safeguard and promote the exercise of this right, without discrimination on the basis of disability.<\/li>\n
  2. \u00a0States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to social protection and to the enjoyment of that right without discrimination on the basis of disability. They shall take appropriate measures to safeguard and promote the exercise of this right, including measures to:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n