As a practising psychologist, I wish there existed a single resource where Canadians could familiarize themselves with the diverse social assistance programs funded by our taxes. Many of the families I work with need to be made aware of the available governmental support or guided through how to obtain it. And as a mother of a child with special needs, I myself was keen to learn about the Canada Disability Benefit introduced in the 2024 budget.
Disability benefits can also be applied retrospectively. If there is clear evidence of when the challenge started, the psychologist can document that time, not just when the condition was diagnosed. Given that assessments can often take a long while, this is important to note, as you may be eligible for benefits going back several months or even years.
Moreover, if a child has a diagnosed disability, it could lead to designation or identification as a student with special learning needs at school. Sometimes, schools receive extra funding from a provincial A documented disability may also enable a person to receive accommodations for entrance exams to professional programs, and for postdegree professional exams to license in a particular profession. Further, a person may be eligible for workplace accommodations. In Canada, there is a duty to accommodate a disability, as Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms contains guaranteed equality rights.