According to research by the Canadian Government, cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. The same research shows that every 2 out of 5 people, around 40% of Canadians, will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime. Additionally, around 25% in Canada die from cancer, and the number will only increase in the future. In 2021, around 229,200 Canadians were diagnosed with cancer, and around 84,600 patients lost their lives to this deadly disease. Out of these, around 46% of the cases happened due to lung, breast, prostate, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer.
Besides increasing the chances of early death among patients, cancer can also impact the lifestyle of patients. Even people with better survival chances and early diagnosis have reported that cancer uprooted their existing life. Cancer patients have agreed that the news of getting cancer negatively impacted their mental and emotional health, resulting in stress, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, cancer patients have to go through chemotherapy or surgery, making it challenging for them to manage their careers, academics, or daily chores. People with cancer also have a higher chance of getting other severe diseases, making it important for cancer patients to get timely treatment, rest, and recover their bodies.
Therefore, long-term disability lawyers recommend that cancer patients apply for the financial compensation they’re eligible for. This blog discusses disability benefits for cancer patients in Canada.
What Disability Benefits Are Provided by the Government of Canada to Cancer Patients
Due to the increasing number of cancer patients and deaths, the Government of Canada has added cancer patients to their list of people eligible for financial compensation due to a disability that prevents them from earning and meeting their expenses. Here are some assistance programs that the Canadian Government offers to cancer patients.
The Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
If your cancer symptoms prevent you from holding your current job or finding a new work opportunity, and you’re facing discrimination in the work market, you’re eligible for the Canada Pension Plan Benefits. Under the CPP program, you can get a defined monthly payment if you meet the following requirements.
- Under 65
- Have medical records to show that you have cancer and extensive symptoms that stop you from working
- Have you contributed to the CPP when you were working
This long-term disability benefit is only provided to individuals with a long-term disability, like cancer, which might result in early death. Additionally, if you’re receiving money from the CPP, your dependent children can also get disability benefits. If you have a child under 18, or between the ages of 18-25, who is enrolled in a full-time degree program at any recognized school in Canada, they can also receive disability benefits from your CPP. Additionally, the CPP has a priority-based application for cancer patients with a prognosis of 6 months or less or a cancer condition and symptoms that are highly untreatable.
Academic Help for Students with Cancer
Another one of the disability benefits that the Government of Canada provides cancer patients is covering their education costs. Here are some options that help students with cancer fund their education without worrying about paying extensive fees.
- The Canada Student Grantprovides $4,000 to a differently-abled student or a student with a life-altering disease like cancer every academic year. However, the student needs to show that they require financial aid, have no source of income, and aren’t benefiting from any other Government-backed disability benefit. Additionally, they should be enrolled in an accredited school.
- The Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipmentprovides cancer patients with specific equipment or services they need to continue their education. It has the same eligibility criteria as the Canada Student Grant. However, the respective cancer patient receives $20,000 every year to pay for the specific equipment they need in the classroom. You also need to discuss which equipment you need, asking a guidance or student counsellor to confirm it, making you eligible for this benefit.
Tax Deduction for Cancer Patients
The Government of Canada has introduced various tax deductions for cancer patients. Additionally, these tax benefits are also available for the family members and caregivers of cancer patients. Here are some tax deductions and credits that cancer patients are eligible for.
- The Disability Tax Creditis targeted at people with long-term disabilities, reducing any income tax they have to pay. With the help of a doctor who can confirm your eligibility for this program, you can apply for the DTC. If cancer has impacted your hearing or visual capabilities, you can get a major tax deduction. Additionally, cancer patients who have to pay medical fees and the cost of medicines are also eligible for a tax deduction. If cancer patients have dependents, they can also get tax credits or deductions.
- The Lines 33099 and 33199program allows you to get a refund on any medical expenses you have paid to treat your cancer. If any Government-backed insurance program doesn’t cover your expenses, it’s advisable to file them in your tax return. Additionally, even if you’re receiving medical treatment from another country, you can still show them on your tax return and get your medical expenses covered. However, you need to remember that you should have paid the expenses for at least 12 months before applying for a tax benefit or exemption. Additionally, you can also show them on your tax return if your spouse or common-law partner has paid for the expenses. This program covers medical equipment, any costs of a caregiver, or any surgery.
Employee Insurance Benefits
This short-term disability benefits program targets cancer patients and other differently-abled people who have to leave their workplace for 15-26 weeks to focus on their recovery. If your cancer has been diagnosed at an earlier stage and you can recover through timely treatment, the EI will pay for the days you’re away from work. With the help of these benefits, you can get treatment without having to worry about making ends meet when you can’t work. This program provides 65% of your salary, with a limit of $650 weekly.
Employee Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit
If you’re caring for a family member, spouse, or friend with cancer, this short-term EI benefit allows you to take a break from work and help them recover. Like other Employee Insurance benefits, this program can also cover your expenses for around 15-26 weeks. However, you must show that the cancer patient you’re caring for is in severe condition and has a high risk of passing away.
Family Caregiver Benefit for Adults and Children
The family caregiver program has similar requirements as the EI Compassionate Care Benefit. However, in this program, you can only provide 15 weeks of care to a family member. You need to submit records to show that you have a blood relation to the cancer patient. You can receive caregiver leave and get the necessary expenses to provide support to a family member. In the same way, if a child in your family, like your child, niece, nephew, or grandchild, has cancer, you can get a paid caregiver leave of around 35 weeks to show support, love, and care to them.
Want to Learn More About the Disability Benefits for Cancer Patients in Canada? Get Started with Long-Term Disability Lawyers
With legal guidance and representation by a long-term disability lawyer, you can apply for and get long-term or temporary disability benefits for cancer patients in Canada. An experienced personal injury lawyer can guide you about the changing requirements and help you apply easily. At Nanda & Associate Lawyers, we have a team of personal injury lawyers who provide services in Brampton, Toronto, and Mississauga. Our long-term disability lawyers help sick, injured, and differently-abled people get the financial compensation they need to cover their necessary expenses.
Additionally, these long-term disability lawyers help you get disability benefits for cancer patients, allowing you to live without worrying about affording necessities. We also represent patients who have been denied disability benefits for cancer patients. Besides having a team of highly-experienced personal injury and disability lawyers, we also have immigration lawyers. These immigration consultants help immigrants get different kinds of visas, sponsor their family members, and seek asylum in Canada.
We also have commercial real estate lawyers in Ontario who handle the buying, selling and renting of buildings for companies. Additionally, our family law lawyers have in-depth knowledge of family law, representing ex-couples in child custody and divorce cases. Our estate lawyers help individuals manage their estate planning by making wills and living trusts and appointing Power of Attorneys. Additionally, our litigation lawyers advise companies about legal issues, helping them avoid any legal trouble.
Book a consultation session with our long-term disability lawyers, ask any queries you want, and apply for disability benefits for cancer patients in Canada today.
Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for legal advice.
