Mr. Speaker, the member for Courtenay—Alberni correctly notes that provinces already determine eligibility for their respective programs, including those based on disability. He is asking why the minister will not accept provincial approval to reduce barriers to obtaining the disability tax credit. It is not about red tape. The Canada disability benefit provides up to $2,400 per year to low-income persons with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 who are eligible for the disability tax credit, among other criteria. The amount is indexed to inflation and will be adjusted each July to reflect cost of living increases.
This benefit was identified as a priority for the disability community because, although provinces and territories play a critical role in providing supports and services to Canadians with disabilities, those programs vary widely in objective, design, scope and amount. Our benefit was always intended to supplement, not replace, existing provincial and territorial income support measures. That is because our priority is to ensure equal access to support for persons with disabilities regardless of where they live in this country. We deliberately chose to base the eligibility criteria on the disability tax credit rather than provincial and territorial benefits to avoid creating disparities where a person qualified for the benefit in one province or territory and not in another. We wanted all Canadians to have equal access to federal support in addition to support they receive from provinces and territories.
Basing disability eligibility on the disability tax credit ensures the Canada disability benefit is delivered in a consistent and equal way across Canada. We recognize that navigating these benefits and their requirements can be challenging, so we have made improvements. In budget 2025, we announced our intention to offset the cost of applying for the disability tax credit. New payments of $150 will be made to current, past and future Canada disability benefit recipients to help offset costs associated with applying for the disability tax credit. The payments are expected to be paid before the end of 2026-27.
Additionally, the 2024 federal budget committed funding to support not-for-profit community-based organizations. This will help connect persons with disabilities in accessible and culturally appropriate ways to federal, provincial, territorial and/or local benefits that could assist them. This will also include the Canada disability benefit and the disability tax credit. Currently, 14 community-based organizations are receiving funding to help address barriers and increase take-up of benefits.
These are a few ways we are supporting Canadians with disabilities by supporting their financial security.