Tag Archives: Life Solutions

End of Life in the 21st Century and The Costs Associated With Passage

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Poor people in Canada pay for funerals through provincial social assistance programs (like BC’s Ministry of Social Development or Ontario Works), the federal Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit.

Many today are choosing simpler, lower-cost options like direct cremation, with funeral homes often guiding families through these limited financial resources. Government aid covers basic services, but often falls short of average funeral costs, requiring families to supplement or choose minimal arrangements.

  • Government Financial Assistance
    Provincial Programs: Most provinces have programs, often through social development or welfare ministries, to help with funeral costs if the deceased’s estate and family can’t pay.
  • British Columbia: The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction provides assistance, covering basic services, burial/cremation, and interment, working directly with funeral homes.
  • Ontario: Ontario Works helps cover basic funeral expenses for those in need, with a process involving your local office.
  • Federal Program: Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit: A one-time payment of $2,500 (a flat rate) is available if the deceased contributed to CPP for a minimum number of years, helping families with costs.
  • How the Process Works
    Contact the Ministry: After a death, the legal representative (executor) contacts the provincial ministry (e.g., Social Development) to see if the estate qualifies for assistance.

Work with Funeral Homes: Funeral directors are familiar with these programs and guide families to choose services within the available budget.

Ministry Pays the Funeral Home: If approved, the ministry pays the funeral home directly for approved services, which may cover cremation or burial and other basic costs.

  • Cost-Saving Options
    Direct Cremation: This is often the most affordable option, as it avoids embalming, viewing, and elaborate ceremonies.
    Simplified Services: Choosing basic services (no casket upgrades, flowers, or extensive visitations) keeps costs down.

  • Challenges
    Funding Gaps: Government funding often doesn’t cover the full average cost of a funeral, leaving a significant gap for families to fill.
    Limited Choices: Financial constraints restrict choices, making it hard to provide the send-off families desire.  

Peace to All and Best Wishes to All in the New Year of Life and it’s passing encounters.

theurbansurvivor.org

Canada’s New Disability Benefit: A step forward, but is it enough?

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is set to launch in July 2025 but not much is known about it, yet

(Play Media above to listen to this article)

In July 2025, a new era dawns for Canadians with disabilities. The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is set to launch, promising a much-needed financial lifeline for adults aged 18 to 64. It’s a significant shift in how the government approaches disability support, but the devil, as they say, is in the details.

The CDB will offer a maximum annual payment of $2,400 – that’s $200 a month – for the initial period from July 2025 to June 2026. Think of it as a foundational layer, a structured payment designed to ease the crushing financial weight many disabled Canadians carry. It’s a far cry from a silver bullet, however.

——————–

Before the CDB, the landscape was a patchwork quilt of provincial programs and the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D). While helpful, these existing systems often left individuals struggling.

“It won’t make much of a difference, $200 doesn’t go very far these days,” she adds, “If the government really wants to make a difference in my life and other disabled people they need to turn $200 into $500,” says Rae-Darlene Lavoie, who lives with Multiple Sclerosis and is wheelchair bound.

Many provincial programs are notoriously stingy, imposing restrictive eligibility criteria and offering paltry sums that barely cover the basics. It’s like trying to fill a bathtub with a teaspoon – a Sisyphean task, to say the least.

Amanda MacKenzie, national director of external affairs for March of Dimes Canada, painted a stark picture. She highlighted the pervasive reality of many disabled Canadians living on less than $30,000 annually. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reflection of a system that, until now, has fallen short.

The CDB aims for a more equitable, consistent approach, tailoring payments to individual and spousal income. While this is a step in the right direction, critics argue that $200 a month simply isn’t enough to meet the escalating cost of living, especially for those with complex medical needs. The whispers of inadequacy are loud, and advocates are pushing for a substantial increase.

——————–

Service Canada promises detailed application information in Spring 2025. This is good news; clarity is crucial. However, the CDB’s true efficacy hinges on its implementation and the government’s responsiveness to ongoing concerns. Will it alleviate the financial strain, or will it merely offer a palliative, a band-aid on a gaping wound?

The CDB’s arrival coincides with a broader, much-needed conversation about disability rights and financial security. Advocacy groups are pushing for a holistic approach, viewing the CDB as a single piece of a much larger puzzle. They’re clamouring for increased funding for support services, accessible housing, and improved healthcare – all vital components of a truly inclusive society.

The CDB Is both a beacon of hope and a test of the government’s commitment. It’s a starting point, a foundation upon which a more equitable system can be built. But its success depends entirely on continuous dialogue, active listening, and a willingness to adapt and adjust based on the lived experiences of those the benefit is intended to serve.

The journey to true inclusivity is a marathon, not a sprint, and the CDB could mark a significant mile marker, but the race will still be far from over.

Article Originally published by Elliot Lake Today’ Web Site, click here.

Authored by Lisa Rene-de-Cotret, reporter for ElliotLakeToday.com/