My Thoughts Around the RDSP by Cathy Grant

My thoughts around the RDSP

by Cathy Grant

I believe the RDSP program is one of the most significant programs for people with disabilities and their families since the start of the de-institutionalization in the early ‘80’s; a good idea for those who are eligible. 

Why? 

-  Money equals power.

- The program changes the result from Persons with Disabilities being a liability to their families into being an asset to their families.

- They become contributing members of society.

- The money is now under the direct control of the person with the disability. In other words, it would be up to the person as to where they could spend it.

- This could work well with the IF (Individualized Funding) program because the person with the disability also has direct control of their money.

- Some were under the assumption that you had to open with a minimum amount of $1000.00. That is a myth. You don’t have to deposit any money at all to open it.

I wrote a letter to the provincial MLAs and there was positive interest; however, most were forwarded to the Federal MPs who were ultimately responsible for it.

It is a shame that people over 60 cannot make use of it. It should be made available to all Persons with Disabilities regardless of age. It is the disability that is important, not their age.

In my opinion, it would be good if someone like me who is now over 50 could claim back to 2008 when I was only 49 and still eligible and claim that one particular year. I believe there would be a strong case and argument around this point.

I would strongly recommend that any money contributed by the beneficiary of an RDSP not count as income. Under current Person With Disability benefit rules, a person with a disability is only allowed to earn $9600 per year before his or her PWD benefits are clawed back. Allowing people to contribute to their RDSP, over and above the $9600 limit and not lose any PWD benefits, would increase their motivation to work where possible. It would increase their motivation to seek out work that pays them more than $9600 per year and also break the cycle of poverty that many people with disabilities find themselves in today. This could be done with no financial increase to the Province or the taxpayer.