A new monthly disability benefit of up to $400 confirmed in this week’s budget is something that the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities has been calling for for years, and they were happy to see it confirmed in this week’s budget. It takes effect this summer.

However, COD-NL says there is a flaw in the program.

The organization says the application process and eligibility is tied to the disability tax credit. If a person does not receive that benefit, then they do not qualify for the $400 benefit.

Nancy Reid, the executive director of COD-NL, welcomes the benefit, but says some people who would be eligible for the disability benefit may not be eligible for the tax credit. As well, applying for the tax credit requires paperwork from a medical professional, which can become another barrier.

She says not all people have access to those medical practitioners, and some practitioners refuse to do the paperwork for the tax credit. As well, there can be a cost to have the documents filled out.