PEI Disability Supports Class Action
For years, Islanders living with disabling mental health conditions were excluded from the Disability Support Program. Although the system was designed to provide vital financial and social support to people with disabilities, these individuals were deprived of the help they needed to live safely and independently.
Valent Legal represents these residents in a class action lawsuit against the Government of Prince Edward Island, seeking justice for years of unequal treatment. The claim argues that denying benefits to people with mental illness was discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Our team is here to help affected Islanders understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one was denied disability benefits because of a mental health condition, contact our lawyers online or at (902) 443-4488 for a free, confidential consultation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Understanding Prince Edward Island’s Disability Support Program
- How the PEI Human Rights Ruling Changed the Law
- What This Means for People With Mental Health Disabilities in Prince Edward Island
- What Mental Health Diagnoses May Qualify You for Disability
- How Valent Legal Can Help With Your PEI Disability Support Claim
- Secure Disability Benefits With Help From Our Team Today
Understanding Prince Edward Island’s Disability Support Program
The PEI Disability Support Program was established to help individuals with long-term disabilities access the necessary tools, funding, and support for their daily living needs. However, for many years, individuals with mental health disabilities were excluded from this program, even though they faced the same barriers to employment, independence, and well-being as those with physical disabilities.
The program provided financial aid, technical support, and employment assistance to residents with mobility or sensory impairments, but excluded people whose disabilities were primarily psychiatric. This exclusion, many argued, treated mental illness as less legitimate than physical disability, a practice rooted in outdated stigma rather than medical reality.
How the PEI Human Rights Ruling Changed the Law
In 2016, the PEI Human Rights Commission ruled that excluding individuals with mental illness from the Disability Support Program was discriminatory under the province’s Human Rights Act. The case began when two applicants were denied benefits solely because their disabilities were psychiatric, not physical. The Commission ordered the government to revise its policies, affirming that mental health disabilities deserve the same recognition and support as any other form of disability.
The two applicants then filed a class action lawsuit in the PEI Supreme Court alleging that the PEI government breached the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by denying disability support benefits to individuals with mental illness. A judge found the lawsuit met the legal requirements for a class action, but the province appealed. In a unanimous decision, the PEI Court of Appeal allowed the class action to proceed.
The plaintiffs, now represented by Valent Legal, argue that years of exclusion caused significant emotional and financial harm to those affected.
What This Means for People With Mental Health Disabilities in Prince Edward Island
The Human Rights ruling and ongoing class action have opened the door for Islanders who were previously denied disability support to come forward and seek compensation. Whether you applied and were turned away, or chose not to apply because you believed you would be ineligible, you may now have a valid claim.
What Mental Health Diagnoses May Qualify You for Disability
While the specific eligibility criteria vary depending on the nature and severity of each person’s condition, common mental health diagnoses that may qualify for coverage under PEI’s Disability Support Program include:
- Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD
- Personality disorders
If your diagnosis is not listed, you may still qualify depending on how your condition affects your daily functioning and ability to work. Speaking with a lawyer can help you determine whether you’re eligible to join the class action or file an individual claim.
How Valent Legal Can Help With Your PEI Disability Support Claim
For more than a decade, Valent Legal has stood beside individuals and families across Atlantic Canada seeking fairness from powerful institutions. In the PEI Disability Supports Class Action, our role is to ensure that those who were denied help because of a mental health disability are treated with the compassion and respect they deserve.
Our team investigates, gathers medical records, prepares documentation, and assists clients in navigating the legal process. We help clients understand their rights and stay informed at every stage, making sure the process feels accessible and supportive, never overwhelming.
With extensive experience in human rights and class action litigation, Valent Legal is dedicated to driving change that extends beyond individual cases. Our work aims to strengthen equality under the law and ensure that people living with mental illness receive the same level of care, recognition, and access to support as anyone else living with a disability.
Secure Disability Benefits With Help From Our Team Today
The PEI Disability Supports Class Action represents a major step toward equality for Islanders living with mental illness. At Valent Legal, we recognize that our clients are survivors of a system that has failed to address their needs, and are proud to stand with them as they seek justice and long-overdue change.
If you were denied disability benefits in Prince Edward Island due to a mental health condition, you may still have options for compensation. Our Halifax-based team offers free, confidential consultations to help you understand your eligibility and next steps.
Call (902) 443-4488 or contact us online to connect with a compassionate member of our team today.