Effective October 1, 2017, the Annual Earnings Exemption (AEE) limit will increase by $2,400 for each person receiving Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefits. This earnings exemption allows people receiving PWD benefits to make money from employment over the calendar year without a reduction of their benefits. The AEE does not apply to money received from most other sources such as Canada Pension Plan benefits or Old Age Security benefits. The new AEE limits will be:

  1. Single person with a disability: $12,000
  2. Couple, one person with a disability: $14,400
  3. Couple, both people with a disability: $24,000

The increase in the AEE rate means that some people who previously exceeded their AEE limit earlier in 2017 may be eligible for a top-up of benefits. They are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction for further information.

Disability Alliance BC applauds these changes and the leadership taken by the Hon. Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction in recognizing the social and economic value of supporting people with disabilities in the workforce.

Additional Information

For further information, please contact Sam Turcott, Director of Advocacy Access at 604-872-1278 or toll free 1-800-663-1278.