Canada Disability Benefit: New Support for Canadians with Disabilities
The Canada Disability Benefit is a new federal monthly payment designed to support working-age individuals with disabilities who have low income. This benefit aims to reduce poverty and improve financial security. The first payments are expected to be issued in July 2025.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for the benefit, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:
Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes
Have a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate
Be between the ages of 18 and 64
Have filed an income tax return for the previous tax year
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, temporary resident (who has lived in Canada for at least 18 months), or be registered (or entitled to be registered) under the Indian Act
Payment Details
The maximum benefit for the July 2025 to June 2026 period is $2,400 annually, or $200 per month. However, this amount may be reduced based on income:
For single recipients: 20% reduction of income over $23,000
For married or common-law recipients: 20% reduction of income over $32,500
For married/common-law recipients where both are eligible: 10% reduction of income over $32,500
The first $10,000 of working income is exempt from the calculation (or $14,000 for couples). Benefit eligibility and amount are determined using income from the most recent taxation year prior to the start of the payment period.
Considerations for Couples
If the applicant is married or living common-law, their spouse or partner must also file an income tax return for the previous tax year.
In limited situations, applicants can request to waive this requirement. These situations include:
The spouse or partner is not a Canadian resident
The couple is involuntarily living apart (e.g., one partner is in a long-term care facility)
It is unsafe for the applicant to ask their spouse to file a tax return
How to Prepare
Although applications are not yet open, individuals can prepare by completing the following steps:
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit (if not already approved)
Ensure their 2024 personal tax return is filed (and their spouse’s, if applicable)
Obtain a valid Social Insurance Number
Where to Learn More
Additional information, including application instructions and updates, will be available on the official Government of Canada website:
Canada Disability Benefit – Government of Canada