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.
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