The federal government must protect the upcoming Canadian disability benefit from clawbacks and make further efforts to ensure that it truly meets the stated goal of lifting people with disabilities out of poverty, as agreed by MPs from all parties.

On Monday, members of the House of Commons Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee unanimously approved a proposal that includes details of the forecast list to improve the new federal benefits offering.

After a lengthy legislative and consultative process, the government allocated $6.1 billion over six years and $1.4 billion ongoing in the 2024 federal budget to implement the Canadian disability benefit.

This amount will provide the maximum benefit of $2,400 annually, or, as stakeholders quickly realized, only $200 monthly or $6.66 daily.

This sparked swift rebukes from advocacy groups who said that this amount fails to fulfill the government's promise of using this income supplement to lift people with disabilities out of poverty.

Moreover, uncertainty still surrounds the possibility of clawbacks across jurisdictions.

While the federal government has pledged to work with provinces and territories to secure a Canada-wide agreement to exempt the federal benefit from being considered income for eligibility for other support, these assurances have not yet been secured.

Groups are also concerned about the eligibility threshold as outlined in the budget, warning that it will only cover less than half of those currently receiving disability income support.

Under the plan, low-income persons with disabilities aged 18 to 64 who have a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate will be eligible.

In an effort to address these outstanding concerns, NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo, whose party has been pushing the Liberals to improve this benefit, presented the proposal at the committee meeting on Monday where Minister of Employment and Workforce Development Randy Boissonnault was testifying.

The proposal calls on the government to "engage in meaningful consultations with the disability community to ensure effective implementation of the Canadian disability benefits" including by:

Ensuring it has sufficient funding;

 Reviewing the eligibility bar as being a valid DTC certificate;

 Recognizing the "multiple invisible costs associated with living with a disability";

 Acknowledging the negative impact of benefit cuts; and collaborating with provinces and territories "to enhance support systems."

The agreement among MPs came after a brief discussion, during which Liberal committee members raised general points about the government's efforts to make this new benefit a reality.

Although it is not a binding proposal, this call will be presented to all parties in the House of Commons.

Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, had previously defended the plan as a "landmark" and "major benefit," but acknowledged that the budget offering is a "starting point."

The budget implementation bill to activate this benefit is currently making its way through Parliament, allowing for the opportunity for amendments.