Angus Reid survey shows that 1 in 5 of those living with disabilities are struggling to get by
How many Canadians would you estimate are living with some form of disability?
Statistics Canada’s 2017 survey revealed that it’s more than 6 million (age 15+), or 22% of the Canadian population; and many are struggling with finances according to a new survey from Angus Reid Institute.
The poll also reveals that many people are unsure of the financial support that is currently available.
Asked if the federal government should make good on its 2020 commitment to introduce a Canadian Disability Benefit, 89% of respondents said they are in favour, 88% believe it’s an essential commitment for the government to make, and 57% believe it’s the right thing to do.
Disability poverty is highlighted by the research with 39% of people living with a disability having an income of $50K or less. The share of those without a disability in this income band is 22%. For those with severe disability, the share is 49%.
Incomes of $50K-100K were reported by 31% of both those with and without a disability, while higher levels of income ($100K+) are more likely to be seen in those without a disability (33%) than those with (19%).
Asked about coping with their personal finances, 20% of those with a disability said they were struggling compared to just 5% of those without, while 41% can afford the basics (no disability: 33%), 37% are comfortable and can afford what they want (57%), and 2% consider themselves well off (5%).
Higher expenses, higher stress
Those with a disability are more likely that those without to say that they are stressed by their finances all the time (13% vs 5%) or often (27% vs 18%). They are half as likely to say they are never stressed by finances (5% vs 10%).
Disability comes with higher costs for most of those polled (85%). This includes medical costs/equipment, personal care/support, preparation and delivery of food, transportation costs, and at least one other expense. These costs rise depending on the severity of the disability.
Those with disabilities are also more likely to say that they are dissatisfied with their employment, especially in terms of pay and benefits and opportunities to advance their career.
More than 4 in 10 of those with a disability who say they are well off or comfortable, rely on a pension or savings for their primary income (vs 26% who are okay or struggling).
Other primary income sources include their spouse, own employment income, government benefits, family/friends, or long-term disability leave.
Disability poverty worse for young adults
The research also reveals that the likelihood of disability poverty varies with age.
Younger Canadians (15-25 years) living with disability are more likely to have incomes below the official poverty line – 23% for milder disabilities and 28% for severe – than their peers without a disability (17%).
The situation generally improves with age: for 25-64s, 14% of those with a mild disability and 28% of those severely affected have incomes below the poverty line compared with 10% of those without a disability; and in over 65s, 7% (mild) and 10% (severe) have incomes below the poverty line compared to 6% without a disability.
The survey shows that many Canadians have little or no confidence in federal or provincial governments in managing disability benefits.
