Tips for a successful application
Hear from peers and experts on key tips towards a successful application.
How to use this website
About the Disability benefits wayfinder
This tool provides information about the four key disability benefits for persons with disabilities living in British Columbia.
It gives a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the benefits including eligibility requirements, challenges you may encounter, with tips, resources, and examples from peers and advocates. You can print information from the website by using the print option from your browser.
Are you Indigenous?
If you are Indigenous there are many things that affect the benefits you can get and the dollar amounts you can get from them.
Benefits information for Indigenous1. Watch our how-to video
To start, you can find out about all four disability benefits by using this captioned video.
Watch Video2. Browse key disability benefits
Next, pick one of the four disability benefits you would like to find out more about and click on its title to enter the benefit.
The four disability benefits are found in the benefits sections at the bottom of the Home page or use the links below. If you would like to print any of the pages for each benefit, please use the print option from your browser.
On each benefit page, you will be introduced to the benefit, including who is eligible to apply and taken step-by-step through the application process.
Within each step will be tips, examples, frequently asked questions (FAQ), resources, challenges you may encounter and who to contact for help.
You will also find out what to expect after you apply and the next steps to take if your application is approved or denied.
Persons with Disabilities designation (PWD)
For persons living in British Columbia with a severe mental or physical disability who need help with daily activities from another person, assistive device, or service animal. Having this status gives you access to money and programs in B.C.
$1,358 per month for single person with no dependents.
Canada Pension Plan–Disability benefit (CPP-D)
If you are under 65 and unable to work because you have a severe and long-term disability, you may qualify for this benefit. You must have made contributions to Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
2021 monthly payments:
- Basic rate: $510.85
- Average rate: $1,031.55
- Maximum rate: $1,413.66
- Children’s rate: $ 257.58
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
For persons living with a severe mental or physical disability, have trouble with daily activities or need help from another person and/or rely on an assistive device or service animal. This tax credit can also help you get access to other federal benefits.
2021 Maximum disability amount: $8,662.
2021 Maximum supplement for persons under 18: $5,053.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
A Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a savings plan that helps Canadians with disabilities save for the future. Even if you have no money to save, the government will still put away some savings for you.
You could get up to $90,000 in grants and bonds. The government may match each dollar you save with up to three dollars more!
3. Explore more benefits
When finished with the four disability benefits, learn about other benefits you can receive.
If you already have the 4 key benefits on this site, you can look for other benefits you may be able to get. Please look at our Benefits wayfinder tool which will show other disability and non-disability related benefits available.
Explore more benefitsStuck?
Below are more ways to help learn about the benefits, understand terms and words, get resources to help with your application process and who to contact if you need more assistance.
Glossary
List of definitions of terms and words used in this website.
View glossaryResources
Looking for information sheets, checklists, or want to calculate how much you can get from benefits? These resources may help.
View resourcesHelp
You can email or call organizations that can help you. The contact information is in this section.
View organizationsSetting you up for success
