Disability Pride Month

Did you know July is Disability Pride Month? It’s a time to celebrate people with disabilities in our communities. In Nova Scotia, almost 2 out of 5 people aged 15 or older have one or more disabilities, according to Statistics Canada.

People with disabilities may face extra challenges when shopping or using services and can be targeted by scammers. In this post, we’ll focus on consumers with disabilities, explaining common scams targeting them and the resources and supports available.

Scams and Fraud

Government Imposter Scams

Individuals receiving government support, like the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), should be aware of this scam. Scammers may pretend to be government workers contacting you about a program or payment. These scammers will attempt to steal money or personal information.

Remember, the government will never ask you to pay money before you get a benefit. If you get a call or email asking for personal details, check if it’s real by calling the official government phone number.

Also, be careful about businesses that say they can help you apply for the Disability Tax Credit. They might charge high fees, or a percentage of your benefit. You can apply for this credit yourself with help from a medical practitioner.

Fake Online Pharmacies

Some websites and social media pages sell fake medicines. People who need expensive or hard-to-find drugs might try these sites. But these fake medicines might not work and could be dangerous. You can use this guide created by Health Canada to find safe online pharmacies.

Romance and Social Scams

Romance scammers target people that may be isolated or lonely. They build relationships online, then ask for money. You can learn more about these scams in our romance scam article.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse occurs when someone tries to take or control a person’s money or property for their own gain. A financial abuser could be a trusted person in your life, like a caregiver or family member.

A financial abuser may pressure you to give them money or access to financial information, take your money or items without permission, or trick you into signing documents like a will or contract.

This article from the Canadian Bankers Association explains the warning signs of financial abuse and where to go for help.

Support and Resources

Canada Disability Benefit

In June 2025, Canada started a new benefit called the Canada Disability Benefit. It can give financial help every month to eligible people with disabilities aged 18 to 64. To learn more and apply, visit the government website.

Benefits Wayfinder

It can be hard to find, apply for, and keep track of government benefits. Prosper Canada made a tool called the Benefits Wayfinder to help people find the benefits they qualify for and apply easily.

Saving Money and Financial Education

Learning about money, budgeting, and saving is important for all consumers.

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a savings plan for people who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. It helps them save money for the future.

The PLAN Institute is a British Columbia non-profit that offers free resources to help people with disabilities learn about money and become financially secure.

More Information

The Just for You — People with Disabilities Guide provides information on Government of Canada services and programs for people with disabilities.

Inclusion NS is a provincial not-for-profit organization serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Independent Living Nova Scotia is provincial not-for-profit organization that promotes the right to live independently and supports individuals in their pursuit of independence.

To learn more about accessibility in Nova Scotia, including the Government of Nova Scotia’s accessibility plan, visit Accessibility Nova Scotia’s website.