Canada Disability Benefit Act: Casey House’s brief on federal bill
November 18, 2022
Canada Disability Benefit Act: Casey House’s brief on federal bill
As a specialty hospital that provides care for people living with and at risk of HIV, Casey House was pleased to comment on federal Bill C-22 – Canada Disability Benefit Act, which seeks to establish the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) to reduce poverty and support the financial security of working-age persons with disabilities.
Casey House serves clients with disabilities, particularly those with illnesses or conditions that are “episodic” – meaning, they vary in severity and duration and can include periods of wellness. Most clients are HIV+ and contend with multiple chronic conditions – many of which are exacerbated by the overdose crisis, housing crisis, and rising cost of living. Our hospital is committed to understanding our clients’ health concerns in the broader context of their lives – including their income and financial situation, which is an area of high need.
Casey House’s brief at a glance
With the rising cost of living and risk of a recession, the need for the CDB is urgent. Casey House calls for the swift passage of Bill C-22 so that this disability benefit can be designed and delivered as quickly as possible to:
1. Support people with episodic disabilities living in poverty: examples of episodic disabilities include chronic conditions and diseases such as HIV, mental illness, and substance use disorder. People with episodic disabilities face unique barriers to financial security and require supports that enable them to meet their basic needs.
2. Reach people with disabilities living in poverty who face barriers to filing income tax returns: the CDB would be based on annual income tax returns, however for people living in deep poverty, such as those without housing, it can be difficult to file their taxes regularly. If barriers to tax filing are not addressed, we risk the CDB not reaching those who need it most.
3. Ensure that people with disabilities living in poverty continue to have uninterrupted access to health benefits through provincial disability support programs: most Casey House clients receive income support from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), which also provides coverage for life-saving medications. Implementing the CDB will require coordination between different levels of government to ensure people have continued, uninterrupted access to provincial health benefits to meet their health care needs.
This bill is currently being studied by a Parliamentary Committee in the House of Commons, and must pass both the House and Senate in order to become law. The faster Bill C-22 is passed, the faster the Canada Disability Benefit can be designed and delivered to reach all working-age people with disabilities living in poverty, to improve their financial security and health and wellbeing.
Casey House's brief on Bill C-22
Read our full submission to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)
Casey House recognizes and acknowledges that systemic inequities deeply affect our clients, and believes it is our responsibility to advocate for compassionate and socially-just health care. Our advocacy seeks to address the structural barriers that prevent optimal health, and improve the well-being of all people living with or at risk of HIV. To learn more, visit Advocacy.
November 18, 2022
Canada Disability Benefit Act: Casey House’s brief on federal bill
As a specialty hospital that provides care for people living with and at risk of HIV, Casey House was pleased to comment on federal Bill C-22 – Canada Disability Benefit Act, which seeks to establish the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) to reduce poverty and support the financial security of working-age persons with disabilities.
Casey House serves clients with disabilities, particularly those with illnesses or conditions that are “episodic” – meaning, they vary in severity and duration and can include periods of wellness. Most clients are HIV+ and contend with multiple chronic conditions – many of which are exacerbated by the overdose crisis, housing crisis, and rising cost of living. Our hospital is committed to understanding our clients’ health concerns in the broader context of their lives – including their income and financial situation, which is an area of high need.
Casey House’s brief at a glance
With the rising cost of living and risk of a recession, the need for the CDB is urgent. Casey House calls for the swift passage of Bill C-22 so that this disability benefit can be designed and delivered as quickly as possible to:
1. Support people with episodic disabilities living in poverty: examples of episodic disabilities include chronic conditions and diseases such as HIV, mental illness, and substance use disorder. People with episodic disabilities face unique barriers to financial security and require supports that enable them to meet their basic needs.
2. Reach people with disabilities living in poverty who face barriers to filing income tax returns: the CDB would be based on annual income tax returns, however for people living in deep poverty, such as those without housing, it can be difficult to file their taxes regularly. If barriers to tax filing are not addressed, we risk the CDB not reaching those who need it most.
3. Ensure that people with disabilities living in poverty continue to have uninterrupted access to health benefits through provincial disability support programs: most Casey House clients receive income support from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), which also provides coverage for life-saving medications. Implementing the CDB will require coordination between different levels of government to ensure people have continued, uninterrupted access to provincial health benefits to meet their health care needs.
This bill is currently being studied by a Parliamentary Committee in the House of Commons, and must pass both the House and Senate in order to become law. The faster Bill C-22 is passed, the faster the Canada Disability Benefit can be designed and delivered to reach all working-age people with disabilities living in poverty, to improve their financial security and health and wellbeing.
Casey House's brief on Bill C-22
Read our full submission to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)
You can learn more about Bill C-22 and follow its progress at the Parliament of Canada website.
Casey House recognizes and acknowledges that systemic inequities deeply affect our clients, and believes it is our responsibility to advocate for compassionate and socially-just health care. Our advocacy seeks to address the structural barriers that prevent optimal health, and improve the well-being of all people living with or at risk of HIV. To learn more, visit Advocacy.
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