Disabled get paid after Senate scraps rule

Labor, Greens and crossbenchers have joined forces to overturn a federal government measure stripping benefits from those disabled by substance abuse.

A Turnbull government measure which stripped benefits from those with permanent disabilities caused by substance abuse has been overturned by the Senate.

Labor says 450 people with a permanent disability caused by substance abuse will keep their benefits after the opposition joined forces with Greens and crossbenchers to disallow the measure on Wednesday night.

"If the government's changes had proceeded, vulnerable people who are already in a desperate situation would have been pushed into poverty, homelessness and potentially crime," opposition social services spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said.