Plan Institute

11/19/2025

🔔 All provinces and territories except Alberta will not be clawing back the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).

We’re glad to see that most provinces are making sure that disabled people can maximize the benefits of the CDB. While we do not support Alberta’s clawbacks of the benefit, we are committed to providing information and supporting affected Albertans. 💚

🫂 If you live in Alberta and need support with provincial or federal benefits, you can contact our Disability Planning Helpline. Call our national toll-free number at 1-844-311-7526 or email helpline@PlanInstitute.ca.

🔗 Learn more about the CDB at planinstitute.ca/CDB-Clawbacks.

11/18/2025

On Dec 3, join our free virtual symposium — Disability Poverty in Canada: Learning from Today to Make Tomorrow Better! A rich day of learning with ASL, LSQ, CART & French translation.

UPDATE: for more information and to register: https://www.disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca/en/disability-poverty-canada-learning-today-make-tomorrow-better

11/18/2025

BC Disability Assistance: What’s Changing for Couples? 📣

The BC government has announced some positive changes to the spousal rules for people on the provincial disability assistance, Persons with Disabilities (PWD). ▶️ Swipe for a full breakdown on the recent changes for couples on PWD.

Changes you need to know about:

✅ Effective on December 1, the monthly rate for a couple where both partners receive PWD will increase from $2,548.50 to $2,662. The monthly rate is made up of two parts: the support allowance and the shelter allowance.

✅ The support allowance for a couple who both receive PWD has increased to $983.50 per person. This means that support allowance for a couple is now the same as for two single people receiving PWD.

✅ However, the shelter allowance for a couple is only $695, compared to $500 per person for two single people on PWD. This means that the overall monthly rate for a couple receiving PWD ($2,662) is still $305 less than for two single people ($1,483.50 each or $2,967 combined).

✅ Additionally, effective on January 1, 2026, the Annual Earnings Exemption for couples where one partner has PWD will increase from $19,440 to $23,400, meaning they can keep more of the money they earn.

🔔 Changes will be automatic. Eligible families do not need to apply.

We’re glad to see the provincial government’s efforts in improving PWD for our communities. However, the reality is that the remaining spousal clawbacks and the social assistance amount keep many disabled people below the poverty line. Plan Institute will continue to advocate for adequate disability assistance for our communities! 💚

🔗 See the full release from the BC government at news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025SDPR0017-001110

11/14/2025

56% of respondents to our survey on the Canada Disability Benefit identified barriers they experienced 📣

Since the launch of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) in July, our recent survey shows that most respondents identified barriers to accessing the benefit.

Our communities have been struggling with eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit, the $200 benefit amount, and processing times for applications completed by a representative. The more time passes, the more we learn about improvements that could make the CDB more accessible. ▶️ Swipe to learn about their experience.

🔗 If you’re applying for or already receiving the CDB, inform our advocacy and fill out our survey at canadadisabilitybenefit.ca/survey

11/12/2025

Don’t miss our last interpreted webinars of the year! 📣

Understanding disability benefits in Canada can be difficult for people who primarily communicate in other languages. For newcomers, immigrants, refugees, our elders, and many of our loved ones, interpreted support makes a big difference. 💚

🔔 Register for an interpreted webinar this November:

📒 Disability Tax Credit in Arabic | Sat, Nov 15
🌱 Registered Disability Savings Plan L1 in Spanish | Weds, Nov 19
📒 Disability Tax Credit in Farsi | ️ Sat, Nov 22

Encourage your Arabic, Spanish, or Farsi-speaking loved ones to learn about the disability benefits in Canada they may be eligible for!

🔗 Find interpreted webinars at planinstitute.ca/events.

11/10/2025

Welcome the newest members of our Board of Directors! 💚

We are excited to introduce the newest members of Plan Institute’s Board of Directors. Join us in extending a very warm welcome to:

🌱 Andrew Pilliar (he/him)

🌱 Brooklynn Malec (she/her/elle)

🌱 Lani Zastre (she/her)

🌱 Marc Workman (he/him)

🌱 Fraser Piccott (he/him)

Their diverse expertise and deep commitment to the disability community will be instrumental as we continue our work empowering disabled people to lead good lives. We are thrilled to have their leadership help guide us forward! 💫

🔗 Want to learn more about our new board members? Learn more at planinstitute.ca/about/board-of-directors.

11/07/2025

📣 What you need to know about the 2025 Budget:

While the 2025 Budget marks some improvements for people with disabilities, our communities remain excluded from meaningful economic participation. This budget provides no clear roadmap to enable this participation, offers no new adequate funding for the Canada Disability Benefit, and creates a potential risk to disability programs given significant savings targets at Employment and Social Development Canada.

People with disabilities make up 27% of Canada's population. Plan Institute stands with our partners in the National Disability Network in urging the federal government to guarantee meaningful economic participation of disability communities.

▶️ Swipe to learn about the 2025 Budget and see what we’re advocating for.
🔗 Read the full release on our blog at shorturl.at/rAZSD

11/05/2025

Get the information and resources you need to make informed financial decisions! ✅

Planning for the future is a crucial step for caregivers of individuals with disabilities, but knowing what financial options are available can often feel overwhelming. Join us with for a live webinar on Financial Planning & Support for Caregivers of People with Disabilities on Thursday, November 27.

🔗 Register at shorturl.at/GLdlv.

11/04/2025

Join countless supporters in declaring Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) this November! 📣

In 2015, BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society created IDAM to recognize the overwhelming contributions Indigenous people bring to our communities while highlighting the unique barriers they often face.

Indigenous people, including the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, have stewarded this land since time immemorial. Today, Indigenous people face higher risks in disability, chronic illness, mental health challenges and social isolation.

Advocating for disability rights cannot be successful without Indigenous people. 🔗 Show your support by declaring the month for Indigenous people with disabilities at shorturl.at/djEQl.

10/31/2025

To close out we’re highlighting our step-by-step guide to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)! 📣

Setting up your RDSP can be overwhelming, and AccessRDSP is here to help. 🌱 We have a step-by-step guide to the RDSP explaining each step from becoming eligible, opening and managing your RDSP. Here’s a glimpse on how to be eligible:

✅ Get your Social Insurance Number
✅ Be approved for the Disability Tax Credit
✅ File your income tax returns
✅ Choose the Holder (the person who makes the financial decisions)
✅ Be in the year you turn 59 or younger (49 or younger to receive grants and bonds)

🔗 Check out the step-by-step guide to the RDSP at rdsp.com/how-do-i-qualify/.

10/29/2025

10/29/2025

Maximize government contributions to your Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)! 📣

An eligible person can get up to $90,000 in government contributions to the RDSP. Rules and strategies, on time limits, government contributions, bonds, and grants can help empower you to grow your RDSP. 🌱

🔗 Check out our new blog post for rules and strategies to guide you in growing your RDSP at shorturl.at/r6iev.