Community Events & Team News

What is happening in Vancouver in October?

Click on the link below to see what’s happening:

https://www.destinationvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/vancouver-events/

FINANCIAL UPDATES

Plan Institute – Canada Disability Benefit (CBD)

Applications are now open! 

After months and years of advocacy (and a whole lot of waiting), the moment is finally here – applications for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) are now open!

Applications opened on June 20, 2025 and are available on the Government of Canada website. You can submit your application via the online application portal, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.

You may have already received a letter from the government inviting you to apply for the CDB. The letter includes a unique application code and instructions on how to apply. If you did not receive a letter from the government and think you are eligible for the CDB, you can still apply.

It may be helpful to gather some key information before you complete the application, including:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Mailing address
• Direct deposit information
• Optional: your net income (line 23600) from your 2024 notice of assessment. Providing this information will speed up your application, but it is not required.

If you are a legal guardian or representative for someone with a disability and you are applying for the CDB on their behalf, you will also need to provide proof that you are authorized to act as the beneficiary’s legal representative.

 Click here to learn more about the application process

When will I receive my payment?

The first payments of the CDB will begin in July 2025 for applications received and approved by June 30, 2025. If your application is approved in July or later, you will receive your first payment in the month after your application is approved.

How much can I receive?

The maximum benefit amount is $2,400 per year, or $200 per month. The amount you receive will depend on your income (and the income of your spouse or partner, if relevant).

 Learn more about how your benefit is calculated

How do I know if I’m eligible for the CDB?

To qualify for the CDB, you must be aged between 18-64 and be currently approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). You must also have filed your taxes for the previous tax year.

Find out more about the eligibility criteria 

Where can I get support?

Plan Institute’s Disability Planning Helpline can offer support with the CDB, including understanding the application process and finding out whether you are eligible. Our advisors can also support you to apply for the DTC.

You can contact the Helpline by calling 1-844-311-7526 or emailing helpline@planinstitute.ca.

You can also talk to Service Canada directly about the CDB on their designated CDB call center telephone line: 1-833-486-3007 or by teletypewriter (TTY): 1-833-467-2700.

Disability Without Poverty | CDB Overview

Follow these steps:

1. File your tax return.

Need help? There are free tax clinics available to help you.

2. Apply for the Disability Tax Credit

Fill Form T2201 – Download the form from the Canada Revenue Agency website. Fill in Part A.

Find a Medical Practitioner – Take the form to a qualified medical practitioner to certify the impairment by completing Part B.

Submit Your Application to the CRA – Mail the completed form or submit it online. The CRA will review your application and send a notice of determination.

While you wait for the applications to open, see if you qualify for other federal programs like:

• Registered Disability Savings Plan
• Canada Workers Benefit
• Disability Supplement
• Child Disability Benefit

3. Apply for the Canada Disability Benefit 

Applications for the Canada Disability Benefit open in June Payments start in July 2025!

STEP ONE: File your taxes for free

STEP TWO: Get help with your DTC application

STEP THREE: Learn more about the CDB

Disability Alliance BC – MY DTC

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a tax benefit from the Government of Canada. It is meant to help people with disabilities and their families reduce the amount of income tax they have to pay. Benefits like the Registered Disability Saving Plan and the new Canada Disability Benefit coming in July 2025 can be accessed when you have the Disability Tax Credit.

My DTC is a free online guide to the Disability Tax Credit created by Disability Alliance BC. It has information on benefits, eligibility and the overall process, as well as tools to help with applying. Please note, My DTC does not allow people to apply for the DTC directly. This is done through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Visit My DTC here to explore the guide.

Credit Counselling Society

The Credit Counselling Society is an accredited non-profit that helps Canadians solve their money problems. We do this by providing free credit counselling, low-cost debt solutions, and education to help you manage your money better.

Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools for building the financial success that everyone deserves. We’re here to help you through your difficult times and towards a better future.

Click here to learn more!

BC Hydro – Customer Crisis Fund

If you’re a residential customer experiencing a temporary financial crisis, such as a loss of employment or benefit income, unanticipated medical expenses, or a death in the family and you’ve fallen behind on your BC Hydro bill, you may be eligible for a grant payment to avoid disconnection of your service.

Eligibility for a grant

To receive a grant from the Customer Crisis Fund, you need to meet a few criteria:

• Be a residential account holder.
• Be applying for a grant for your primary residence account.
• Your account must have payments overdue by at least 21 days or be facing disconnection. You can apply as early as when you have a balance owing on your account, but your application will be on hold until your payment is 21 days overdue or your account is facing disconnection.
• You must have experienced a life event, within the last 12 months, that caused a temporary financial crisis.
• Have an outstanding balance of $1,000 or less, and have demonstrated some attempt to make payments towards your bill.

You may receive one grant per account holder annually (one per year). If a grant application is denied and your circumstances change, you can apply again in the same year.

Click here for more information and how to apply!

Inclusion BC Provincial Budget Alert 2024-2025