Archive: P.E.I. flip-flops on disability age cut-off

Ed: Archive Articles important to the history of the DSP.

Last Updated: Friday, August 22, 2003 | 4:51 PM AT
CBC News

The provincial government is changing an age restriction some called discriminatory, a move that will recognize 18 year olds with disabilities as adults.

Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem made the announcement Friday.

RELATED LINK: P.E.I. Disability Support Program
For the past two years, someone with disabilites, who was single and living with parents, was not considered an adult until the age of 25. As of Sept. 1, that age limit drops to 18.

Before the Tories overhauled the Disability Support Program two years ago, the age limit was 18.

As a result of the change, 12 complaints were filed with the P.E.I. Human Rights Commission, one of those by Linda Brazell. She’s not sure whether she’ll continue with her case.

The age cut-off has a bearing on the benefits a disabled person receives from the Disability Support Program. Before being considered an adult under the program, the parents’ income is factored into the benefits a disabled person could receive.

Minister Ballem said the decision is based on a consultant’s report that concludes there is no compelling reason to keep the cut-off at 25.

“The cost of this change will be approximately $700,000,” he said.

The change affects around 90 people with disbabilities.

At the news conference, another complainant asked if there would be compensation for the money families lost because of the age cut-off.

The minister said retroactivity is not an option.