Alberta commits to making Registered Disability Savings Plan more accessible

Alberta is investing $500,000 for up to two years to support those with disabilities by making it easier to open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).

An RDSP is a long-term savings plan for people with disabilities and provides up to $90,000 in federal grants and bonds over the person’s lifetime, according to a provincial release.

“We are following through on a promise to help Albertans with disabilities. Many eligible Albertans are missing out on this valuable federal funding due to an overly complex application process. This funding will help provide disability-serving organizations with the capacity to do this important work,” said Jason Luan, the minister of community and social services

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Four resource centers received the grants to raise awareness of the RDSP and capacity building within communities: the Alberta Ability Network, the Cerebral Palsy Alberta, Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies, and Alberta Native Friendship Centres.

Family resource centres assist people with disabilities and their families with accessing and navigating the various disability supports and services available in Alberta, including tools, resources, and information.

“Autism Society Alberta welcomes investments in supporting families in their efforts to ensure the best quality of life for a loved one with a disability. Addressing extraordinary care needs and the day-to-day challenges can limit a family’s time, energy, and capacity to apply for programs like the RDSP. Assisting families in accessing the RDSP with support from Family Resource Centres and other programs will reduce some of the barriers to preparing and planning for the future,” said Lyndon Parakin, vice-president of the Autism Society Alberta.

RDSPs are also a part of the federal Disability Tax Credit, which has the purpose of providing long-term financial security for parents with children with disabilities or helping adults with disabilities save for the future.