The second round of payments under the newly launched Canada Disability Benefit has sparked frustration and hardship for many Canadians, after a system glitch delayed deposits that were scheduled for Thursday. While the benefit was introduced as a lifeline for low-income, working-age individuals with disabilities, the delay has left many wondering how they’ll make it through the week.
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What Is the Canada Disability Benefit?
The Canada Disability Benefit was created to provide modest financial support to eligible Canadians with disabilities. The payment tops out at $200 per month, or $2,400 annually, and is intended to help recipients afford essentials like medication, food, and housing.
Rabia Khedr, national director of Disability Without Poverty and CEO of DEEN Support Services, stressed that although the amount may seem small to some, it can be life-altering to those in poverty.
“Most people with disabilities live about $1,000, or 30 per cent, below the poverty line,” Khedr told CTV News. “It lets them buy some essential over-the-counter painkillers, maybe pay for their food, pay a backlog of bills and debt, pay their rent.”
Recipients Left in the Lurch: “No Payment, No Breakfast”
The first wave of payments in July arrived without issue. However, the August round has proven problematic. Several recipients reported checking their bank accounts on Thursday only to find no deposit.
Victoria Staight from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, is one such recipient. She was shocked when her benefit didn’t arrive.
“I checked and it’s not there,” Staight said in a video call. “And I went, ‘OK, no breakfast.’ As simple as that — no breakfast.”
For many, this isn’t an inconvenience; it’s a crisis.
Government Response: Acknowledgement, But No Firm Timeline
Inquiries to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) revealed that the delay was due to a “system issue” affecting some direct deposits.
A recorded message from the Canada Disability Benefit call centre acknowledged the problem:
“Due to a system issue some Canada Disability payments issued by direct deposit for the month of August 2025 will be delayed. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
A spokesperson for ESDC later clarified that most payments were completed, but a “limited number” remained outstanding. They stated that Service Canada was working to resolve the issue and to prevent similar delays in the future.
Some payments were eventually made late Friday, but many recipients remain unpaid.
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Advocates Call Out Systemic Oversight and Lack of Accountability
Frustration isn’t limited to delayed payments. Advocates are raising concerns about the broader treatment of disability issues by the federal government.
Rabia Khedr pointed out that the elimination of the Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities earlier this year sent a troubling message about the government’s priorities.
“The new government did not have an explicit portfolio dedicated to disability,” she said. “This basically means we are lumped into a huge portfolio that the current minister of jobs and families is responsible for – so we are not a top priority.”
Victoria Staight echoed that sentiment in her own words:
“You don’t start a program and then drop the ball, thank you very much. You people are getting a paycheque.”
What Comes Next?
In an updated statement on Friday evening, ESDC assured the public that the issue had been addressed with urgency and that remaining payments should be deposited in the coming days.
“We are working diligently with partners to secure the smooth implementation of this new benefit and prevent system issues from happening in the future.”
For now, recipients like Staight continue to wait — not just for their money, but for a system they can trust.
Summary A Small Benefit With Big Stakes
The Canada Disability Benefit may offer only a few hundred dollars a month, but for many, it’s the difference between eating and going hungry, staying housed or falling into deeper debt. The recent payment delay highlights both the precariousness of life for disabled Canadians and the urgent need for dependable support systems.