Toronto Man Faces Delays in Federal Disability Benefits Payments

A man from Toronto is voicing his frustrations over delays in receiving federal disability benefits intended for individuals with severe disabilities. Govid Singh applied for the program shortly after its announcement, receiving approval for the first payment in July. However, the expected monthly payment of $200 did not arrive in August or September.

Singh received a letter from Service Canada, which stated that there had been a miscalculation regarding his income. Currently earning approximately $11,000 per year, Singh describes this amount as barely sufficient to meet his needs. “They are telling me they are going to fix the problems. When they fix the problem, they will let us know,” he explained.

This issue is not isolated to Singh. Since the program’s rollout in the summer, numerous recipients have reported payment delays due to technical difficulties. A spokesperson for Service Canada clarified that adjustments were necessary in calculating employment income and special exemptions for eligible applicants with employment income. “This resulted in those individuals either receiving no payment or an underpayment,” the spokesperson noted.

According to Service Canada, the issue has now been addressed. “Once the recalculation is complete, they will receive a new letter indicating the updated benefit amount, if applicable, and will be backpaid for any difference owed,” the spokesperson added. As of the time of this article’s publication, Singh was still waiting for his payment and expressed his concern over the prolonged delay. “I need to pay the rent, I need to take care of groceries, and my wife is also handicapped, having knee problems. We are struggling financially,” he said.

Advocacy groups are also raising awareness about these challenges. Rabia Khedr, the national director of Disability Without Poverty, is optimistic that Singh and others affected by the income adjustment will soon receive their payments. “The system is working on those kinks. They ironed out, you know, the mishap of some benefits not being delivered to those who qualified in August,” Khedr stated. “They got those out fairly quickly.”

Singh is urging the agency to resolve these issues promptly, emphasizing the importance of timely payments for people facing financial hardships. “They need to fix the problem as soon as possible within a reasonable timeframe so that people get their checks,” he insisted.

As the situation unfolds, both Singh and advocacy groups continue to press for improvements in the benefit distribution system, highlighting the essential support it provides to those living with disabilities.