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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities do?

The NBCPD was born out of the necessity to advocate for New Brunswickers with disabilities and help ensure:

  • Their rights under accessibility and human rights legislation are protected
  • They have equitable opportunities to fully participate in business, in employment, in their communities; and in New Brunswick society overall
  • Accessibility for the disability community that ultimately benefits all New Brunswickers
  • That development of all services, infrastructure and building projects in New Brunswick follows the guiding disability-inclusive principle of “Nothing about us without us” 

 

The NBCPD is a non-partisan organization that has one objective — realizing an inclusive province in which all New Brunswickers with disabilities enjoy:

  • Improved living standards
  • Access to appropriate assistance
  • Full and equitable participation in society

 

To learn more about what we do, visit the About the NBCPD web page.

No. You need to contact one of the employment service providers (ESPs) in New Brunswick about job-search assistance. There’s a list of ESPs in the Employment accordion in the Support Resources section on our new Resources Library page.

Not everyone receives the same amount each month. The CPP disability benefits payment you receive is made up of two parts:

  • The basic monthly amount of $610.20 (2026)
  • An additional amount based on your lifetime CPP contributions during your working years

 

The 2026 maximum monthly CPP disability benefits payment is $1,741.20. And there’s no guarantee you’ll receive the maximum. It depends on your CPP contribution history.

If you receive disability income from other sources, this can also affect your monthly CPP disability benefit amount. These sources include income from:

  • Private disability insurance
  • Long-term disability payments from your employer
  • A provincial/territorial disability income support program
  • CPP survivor benefits

 

Also, remember — to qualify for CPP disability benefits, you have to meet specific criteria. These include:

  • You must have worked and contributed to CPP for four of the last six years immediately prior to stopping working because of your disability
  • You must have contributed to CPP for at least 25 years, included three of the past six years based on the year you’re applying for benefits
  • Your disability must be one “that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work”

Yes, absolutely. You may still be eligible for the CPP monthly disability benefit. But remember, your employer may change their LTD payments to you if you’re approved for CPP disability benefits. Contact your employer to find out whether or how receiving the federal monthly benefit will affect your LTD.

Here’s how to apply for the benefits. You’ll need to submit both your application and a supporting medical form.

You can’t put the cart before the horse. If you think you qualify for a subsidized apartment, the first thing you must do is apply with Housing NB.

 

Keep in mind, the Housing NB waiting list is long. You may want to explore other options such as:

  • Moving in with family or a friend
  • Getting a room-mate

 

Tenants Rights Canada has some good information about subsidized rental housing in New Brunswick, on their website.

In New Brunswick, for the purpose of receiving help from Social Development, “an Economic Unit is defined as any individuals in a marital or conjugal relationship and children under 21.”

This is often commonly known as “Policy 6.1,” or the Household Income Policy.

Here’s what this means:

  • It doesn’t matter whether both partners/spouses may be receiving income from employment or federal income support payments (such as Canada Pension Plan disability benefits). Social Development considers both people in the household as one unit. Therefore, they determine eligibility for only one assistance cheque.

 

There are limited exceptions to Policy 6.1.

One is that “if the legal or common-law spouse or child is also certified Blind, Deaf or Disabled then they may be considered as separate cases.”

  • Visit the Government of New Brunswick Social Development web page for more information about how conjugal relationship status is determined.

 

The New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities has been advocating — and will continue advocating — against Policy 6.1. It seemingly implies individuals are the possessions of their spouses. This goes against everything the NBCPD stands for.

The Honourable Cindy Miles is the:

  • Minister of Social Development
  • Minister reponsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation

She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the 2024 general election. Miles represents the riding of Hanwell-New Maryland.

Her constituency office numbers are:

  • Fredericton: 506-462-5524
  • Fredericton Junction: 506-368-1124

 

Meetings are by appointment at both offices.

Email: Cindy.Miles@gnb.ca

The Honourable David Hickey is the Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation.

He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the 2024 general election. Hickey represents the riding of Saint John Harbour.

His constituency office number is 506-261-0754.

Email: David.Hickey@gnb.ca

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