December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—a day that highlights both the progress made and the barriers that continue to limit the full participation of persons with disabilities in society.
This year’s theme, fostering disability-inclusive societies, underscores how far Canada still has to go. For too many people living with disabilities, poverty is the result of systemic barriers that restrict access to stable employment, essential supports, and the basic income needed to live with dignity.
In 2022, nearly 1 in 6 Canadians with disabilities lived in poverty—twice the rate of those without disabilities. People with very severe disabilities had an employment rate of just 30%, compared to 75% among those with mild disabilities.
These disparities are visible in most aspects of life— particularly on access to food. Food insecurity is widespread among households relying on provincial welfare and disability programs: nearly 70% experience food insecurity, and half are severely food-insecure, meaning they regularly skip meals or go whole days without eating. At Toronto food banks, the share of clients reporting a disability has risen from 25% in 2024 to 31% in 2025, and nearly one-third of client households rely on Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) to survive.
At the heart of these challenges is an income support system that falls short of meeting people’s basic needs. Despite recent increases, ODSP provides a maximum of $1,408 per month for a single individual, well below Toronto’s poverty line ($2,444 per month) and deep poverty line ($1,833 per month) for a single adult.
These amounts do not account for the additional costs associated with living with a disability, estimated to be up to 39% more for individuals living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), putting people even further behind.
To address the patchwork of insufficient provincial and territorial supports, the federal government introduced the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), a new federal benefit designed to reduce poverty among working-age persons with disabilities. The Daily Bread Food Bank, alongside disability advocates from across the country, have long been advocating to a CDB that lifts people out of poverty.
Although payments began rolling out in July 2025, the application process has often been difficult to navigate, and the monthly maximum amount of $200 is far from enough to meet basic needs. In Toronto, even with the CDB, people with disabilities still remain more than $800 below the poverty line.
Christine, a mother of two children with autism, recently began receiving the CDB. She says:
My disability benefit [CDB] is $174—it helps a little, but the government needs to raise it to match living costs. Rent is $1,200, groceries $300 a week. After bills, I have nothing left.
Rosemary has struggled to apply for Disability Tax Credit (DTC) – a key requirement for the CDB.
I’ve been waiting over four months for my doctor to complete the DTC form. My clinic uses a walk-in model, so I can’t get an appointment. My doctor doesn’t have hours to sit and fill out the DTC form.
While the Federal Budget 2025 did not increase the benefit, it did take steps that will have a positive impact for persons living with disabilities. The government announced a one-time $150 payment to help people cover the costs of applying for the DTC. It also confirmed that the CDB won’t be counted as income for tax purposes and committed to reviewing and improving the DTC application process.
These changes reduce barriers to CDB, protect essential supports, and move us closer to a benefit that supports people it’s meant to serve.
However, to make a real difference, the CDB must be increased to a level that allows people with disabilities to live with stability, independence, and dignity.
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it’s essential to highlight and address the systemic barriers that persons with disabilities face in Canada. A truly inclusive society ensures that everyone has the resources and opportunities to thrive—not just to survive.
Tell your elected officials: people with disabilities need adequate, dignified support to meet their basic needs and participate fully in society—action can’t wait.
