Disability Benefits In New Brunswick: How Much?

The amount of disability pay in New Brunswick depends on the type of disability and the specific program through which the recipient is receiving payments. The Canadian government offers financial assistance and other benefits to disabled individuals, including the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), a non-refundable federal tax credit that provides refunds on income tax. The DTC base amount for adults in New Brunswick is approximately $3,034.30 for the 2023 tax year, while those under 18 can receive up to $5,075.10. Additionally, New Brunswick offers a Disability Support Program (DSP) that provides personalised support to disabled residents. DSP does not offer income replacement benefits but creates a custom personal disability support plan tailored to the individual's needs. The average DSP amount is $1,127.30, with a maximum of $1,606.78. Long-term disability insurance in the province can pay a percentage of the recipient's income (55-80%) or a fixed amount.

New Brunswick's long-term disability benefits

The Canadian government offers long-term disability benefits to support individuals facing challenges due to their medical conditions. These benefits aim to provide financial assistance and improve the quality of life for those with disabilities. New Brunswick has the second-highest percentage of people with disabling conditions in Canada, at around 35.3%. The province offers a range of long-term disability benefits to its residents, which can be crucial in helping them manage their daily lives and expenses. Here is an overview of the long-term disability benefits available in New Brunswick:

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

Canada's long-term disability insurance is a prevalent benefit in New Brunswick. To be eligible, individuals must have coverage under a policy offering long-term disability benefits, typically through their workplace's group insurance or a private, individual policy obtained through an insurance broker. Self-employed individuals often acquire coverage through a broker. The benefit amount can be a percentage of your income (55-80%) or a fixed amount.

CPP Disability:

The CPP disability is a federal program providing benefits to individuals with severe and prolonged disabilities that prevent them from gainful employment. To qualify, you must earn less than $17,000 per year and have contributed to the Canadian Pension Plan through payroll taxes. CPP payments can be up to $1,616.52 per month in 2024 and continue until the recipient reaches 65 years of age.

WorkSafeNB Long-Term Disability:

WorkSafeNB provides monthly benefits to workers injured on the job. To qualify, individuals must work for an insured employer and experience a work-related injury or illness. The program covers medical therapies, prescription drugs, income benefits (up to 85% of take-home pay), personal care needs, and travel expenses associated with medical care during recovery. Vocational rehabilitation services and impairment awards may also be available for those with permanent disabilities due to workplace injuries.

New Brunswick Disability Support Program (DSP):

The New Brunswick government administers the DSP to provide financial coverage for specific disability-related costs. The program can help with the cost of home support workers, respite care, residential facility services, transportation support, and assistive devices. To qualify, individuals must be New Brunswick residents between 19 and 64 years old with a long-term disability. The DSP creates a custom personal disability support plan tailored to the individual's needs.

Disability Tax Credit:

The Disability Tax Credit is a federal non-refundable tax credit that assists individuals with impairments who continue to work and pay taxes. It provides a refund on federal income taxes paid. To be eligible, individuals must have severe and prolonged physical or mental impairments impacting their daily activities, expected to last at least 12 consecutive months. The credit can be used for various expenses, including attendance care services, childcare assistance, education costs, and hearing or vision assistance devices.

Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP):

Individuals who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit are also eligible for an RDSP, a long-term savings plan for people with disabilities. The government may provide grants and bonds to contribute to the savings. To qualify for an RDSP, individuals must meet the criteria for the Disability Tax Credit and be Canadian residents.

New Brunswick Disability Grants:

New Brunswick offers various disability grants, such as the NB Vehicle Retrofit Program, which covers 80% of the cost of purchasing and installing eligible retrofitting and accessibility features for vehicles. Other grants include Accessible NB, which helps businesses create more accessible work environments, and Transition NB, a non-profit program that provides personalized education and career plans for students with disabilities.

Eligibility criteria for disability pay

To be eligible for disability pay in New Brunswick, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of New Brunswick.
• Be aged between 19 and 64.
• Have a long-term disability that requires regular attention or treatment. This does not include medical conditions that do not lead to long-term disability or services for helping with addiction, such as drugs, gambling, alcohol, or nicotine.
• Have a disability where community involvement, specialty benefits, and other support would help you live a healthier, more independent life.

Additionally, you will need to provide the following documents when applying for disability benefits:

• Medicare Card (proof of name, date of birth, etc.)
• Government ID for proof of address (passport, driver's license, etc.)
• Bank statements or other proof of income

It is important to note that the New Brunswick Government and the New Brunswick Association for Community Living (NBACL) may have slightly different application processes and eligibility criteria. Therefore, it is always best to check with the relevant authorities or seek guidance from an NBACL Independent Facilitator when applying for disability benefits in New Brunswick.

Average disability pay amount

The average disability pay amount in New Brunswick depends on the type of disability benefit being received. Here are some examples of different disability benefits and their average pay amounts:

New Brunswick Disability Support Program (DSP)

The DSP is a personalized service offered by the Government of New Brunswick's Department of Social Development. It provides financial coverage for specific disability-related costs, such as home support workers, respite care, residential facility services, transportation support, and assistive devices. The DSP does not pay income replacement benefits but creates a custom personal disability support plan tailored to the individual's needs.

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Long-term disability insurance is a common benefit in New Brunswick, typically provided through an employer's group insurance policy or an individual policy obtained through an insurance broker. The benefit amount can be a percentage of the individual's income (e.g., 55-80%) or a fixed amount (e.g., $2,000 per month). The average long-term disability insurance rate in New Brunswick for new beneficiaries as of October 2023 is $1,127.30, with a maximum amount of $1,606.78 in 2024.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability

The CPP disability is a federal program providing benefits to individuals with severe and prolonged disabilities. To qualify, an individual must earn less than $17,000 per year and have contributed to the Canadian Pension Plan through payroll taxes. CPP disability payments generally pay up to $1,616.52 per month in 2024 and last until the recipient reaches the age of 65. The basic CPP disability payment amount for 2024 is $583.32, with an average amount of $1,127.30 for new beneficiaries.

WorkSafeNB Long Term Disability

WorkSafeNB provides monthly benefits to workers who are injured on the job, covering medical expenses and a portion of lost income. Income benefits can include up to 85% of the individual's take-home pay while recovering from serious workplace injuries.

Disability Tax Credit

The Disability Tax Credit is a non-refundable federal tax credit that assists individuals with impairments who still work and pay taxes. It provides a refund on the federal income tax paid. The credit amount consists of a federal and provincial portion, with the federal base amount being approximately 15% of the base amount ($1,414.2 as of 2023) and the provincial base amount being around 9.68% ($901.11 as of 2023). The credit can be used to reduce expenses directly related to the disability.

Applying for disability benefits

If you are over the age of 18, live in New Brunswick, and are in financial need, you may be eligible to receive Income Assistance. The first step in applying for disability benefits is to determine your eligibility. Each province in Canada has its own set of criteria for eligibility, so it is important to review the specific requirements for New Brunswick.

Medical Forms

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, the next step is to gather the necessary documentation. For disability benefits, you will typically need to submit medical forms that are filled out by a doctor or medical professional. These forms are used to assess the nature and extent of your disability and how it impacts your daily life. It is important to have a medical professional who is familiar with your condition and can provide detailed information on the medical forms.

Application Process

After you have gathered the required documentation, you can begin the application process. The application process for disability benefits can vary depending on the specific benefit you are applying for. In New Brunswick, you may be applying for basic social assistance payments, additional social assistance, or other federal and provincial benefits. Each benefit program will have its own application process and requirements, so be sure to carefully review and follow the instructions for each one.

After Applying

Once you have submitted your application, there may be a waiting period before you receive a decision. During this time, your application will be reviewed, and you may be contacted if additional information or documentation is required. After the review process is complete, you will be notified of the decision. If your application is approved, you will receive information about your benefit amount and payment schedule. If your application is denied, you may have the option to appeal the decision or reapply at a later date.

Additional Resources

It is important to remember that the disability benefits application process can be complex and may vary depending on your specific circumstances. If you need further assistance or have questions during the application process, there are resources available to help. You can seek guidance from an agency worker or an organisation that specialises in disability benefits. Additionally, if you are Indigenous, it is important to speak with your governing body before applying, as there may be specific agreements or considerations that could impact your benefits.

Additional disability support programs

The Disability Support Program (DSP) in New Brunswick offers a range of services to help people with disabilities live more independently. The program is administered by the Department of Social Development and provides personalised support based on individual needs.

• Home Support Workers: The program can provide funding for home visits by disability and health employees, which can be costly when funded privately.
• Respite Care: DSP covers the cost of professional respite workers for disabled individuals who require temporary or emergency care.
• Residential Facility Services: For individuals who need regular non-medical supervision, DSP covers the cost of residential facilities such as family or group care.
• Personal Support and Assistance: The program assists with the cost of personal support or assistance that individuals may need in their own homes or outside.
• Community Participation and Involvement Support: The DSP recognises the importance of community access and provides support to help individuals connect with the right communities.
• Personal Training and Skills: It covers personal training or education that individuals may require to enhance their daily living and working capabilities.
• Transportation Support: Depending on the specific disability, DSP can provide transportation assistance to help individuals get around more easily.
• Technical Supports and Assistive Devices: The program helps pay for technical aids or assistive living tools that are not covered by other programs.

In addition to the DSP, there are other government initiatives that provide financial support for individuals with disabilities in New Brunswick. These include:

• Basic Social Assistance: This includes Transitional Assistance (TA) and Extended Benefits (EB) for individuals with disabilities, which are adjusted based on inflation.
• Additional Social Assistance: Individuals with disabilities may receive regular additional benefits, such as the Disability Supplement.
• Federal and Provincial Child Benefits: Households with children can receive benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and the New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit.
• Federal and Provincial Tax Credits: This includes credits such as the GST/HST credit and the New Brunswick Harmonized Sales Tax Credit.

Frequently asked questions