Concerns, confusion mount over Manitoba's new disability income support program

When Cindy Pickel heard about Manitoba's new income support program for people with disabilities, it offered a ray of hope after months of struggling with the rising cost of living. 

Pickel, who is blind and a diabetic, says she hasn't been able to work because of her disability and relies on the monthly payment she gets from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit. 

At first, provincial staff told her she would automatically qualify for the new program because she's eligible for the federal disability benefit. 

But after multiple phone calls and going through a rigorous in-person intake process, Pickel was turned down for the new program because provincial staff determined she wasn't in need of financial assistance. 

"Then afterwards I was just so completely deflated. I was just, you know, here's a promise of things are going to get a little bit easier and then no, that's swept away, that's gone."

When it was announced last December, the Manitoba Support for Persons with Disabilities program was promoted as a new support for people with disabilities that would be separate from the general employment and income assistance (EIA) programs, and provide some additional benefits. 

But Pickel, and those who work with disabled Manitobans, say it's not clear who's actually eligible for the program, leading to frustration and disappointment within the community. 

Further, one hospital worker who helps people with life-altering disabilities says a legislative change has actually made it harder for people to qualify for financial assistance when they need it most. 

Pickel says she went through the intake process in June. Though she doesn't qualify for the general EIA benefit, she said she thought the Manitoba Support for Persons with Disabilities program could help her based on what provincial staff told her over the phone. 

"I was told that, yes, because I received CPP disability, I automatically qualified and absolutely I should come in."

However, when she and her husband arrived for her intake appointment, she says she was asked questions meant for the EIA program. 

"I said 'I don't qualify for EIA. I'm not here to apply for EIA, I'm here to apply for the supports for Manitobans with disabilities program,'" she said. 

"She explained to me that, or she stated to me, 'Just because you have a disability doesn't mean you're going to get money.'"

That statement rubbed Pickel the wrong way. The intake worker then told her that if she was divorced, or if she and her husband sold some of their assets, she could qualify.