Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) (2026)
This page is the free guide. No sign-in. Read on.
Monthly, non-taxable financial support for working-age Canadians with disabilities. Maximum $204.20/month ($2,450.40/year) for the July 2026 - June 2027 benefit year. Administered by Service Canada.
Benefit amount: as of 2026-07
$204.20 / month ($2,450.40/year)
July 2026 - June 2027 benefit year · calculated on 2025 adjusted family net income · non-taxable · indexed to inflation annually (will not decrease if cost of living drops)
Amounts are for the July 2026 - June 2027 benefit year, calculated on 2025 adjusted family net income. Figures re-index annually: verify current amounts at canada.ca.
A one-time $150 supplement, meant to offset the cost of getting the Disability Tax Credit, is paid from fall 2026 for each approved DTC certificate that qualifies you for the CDB; anyone who received a CDB payment before September 2026 is eligible, and the first payments go out September 17, 2026.
2026 DTC process changes: affects every CDB applicant
July 14, 2026
The CRA account "Submit documents" section can no longer be used for DTC applications: must use the digital DTC form or mail.
September 8, 2026
As of September 8, 2026, versions of Form T2201 (the DTC application form) from before 2023 are no longer accepted. Use Form T2201 (2023 or later).
1
Eligibility
Open this section ↓Step 0 (mandatory gateway): Approved Disability Tax Credit
You must have an approved DTC before you can receive the CDB. The DTC is a two-part Form T2201: Part A (you) and Part B (signed by a medical practitioner). CRA decides based on Part B alone. If your DTC is not yet approved, start there.
Disability Tax Credit guide →↑ Close this sectionAge18–64 (you can apply from age 17.5; your application is processed when you turn 18)Tax filingApplicant AND spouse/common-law partner (if any) must have filed their 2025 tax return.ResidencyCanadian resident for tax purposes.Status in CanadaCanadian citizen · Permanent resident · Registered or entitled under the Indian Act · Protected person · Temporary resident who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 monthsIncarcerationFederal incarceration of 2+ years = ineligible, except for the first and last month.2
Income test
Open this section ↓As of 2026-07, July 2026 - June 2027 benefit year · The $23,000/$32,500 thresholds, $10,210/$14,294 exemptions, and 20%/10% reduction rates are for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, in which the maximum is $204.20 a month. Figures re-index annually.
Situation Working-income exemption Full-benefit threshold Reduction above threshold Single / separated / divorced / widowed $10,210 $23,000 or less 20% per $1 over threshold Has a spouse / partner (only one is CDB-eligible) $14,294 combined $32,500 or less 20% per $1 over threshold Both partners are CDB-eligible $14,294 combined $32,500 or less 10% per $1 each Use the official estimator to calculate your exact benefit amount:
Service Canada CDB estimator →↑ Close this section3
How to apply
Applications opened June 20, 2025.Open this section ↓Applications opened June 20, 2025. Payments begin the month after approval, on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Online (recommended)Fastest: apply at canada.caPhone1-833-486-3007 (TTY: 1-833-467-2700)In personAt any Service Canada locationMailForm CDB0004 (self) or CDB0005 (legal representative) to CDB Processing Centre, P.O. Box 60, Boucherville, QC J4B 5E6What you need
- • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- • Mailing address
- • Status in Canada
- • 2025 line 23600 of tax return (optional but speeds processing)
- • Direct deposit information
- • 6-digit application code (if received by letter)
Back payments: Up to 24 months from application receipt, but never before June 2025.
↑ Close this section4
2026 payment dates
Open this section ↓3rd Thursday of each month, source: canada.ca/en/services/benefits/calendar.html
January
Jan 15
February
Feb 19
March
Mar 19
April
Apr 16
May
May 21
June
Jun 18
July
Jul 16
August
Aug 20
September
Sep 17
October
Oct 15
November
Nov 19
December
Dec 17
Put these dates in your phone’s calendar →
↑ Close this section5
Annual renewal
No reapplication required.Open this section ↓No reapplication required. Service Canada reviews eligibility yearly and sends a confirmation letter each June. (began June 2026)
Applicant and partner must file taxes by April 30 to maintain uninterrupted 2026-2027 payments.
↑ Close this section6
Don't have the DTC yet?
The Disability Tax Credit (Form T2201) is the prerequisite for the CDB.Open this section ↓The Disability Tax Credit (Form T2201) is the prerequisite for the CDB. Our guide walks through eligibility, the Part A/Part B requirements, which medical practitioners can certify, and what to do if CRA returns your application.
Full Disability Tax Credit guide →CPP Disability is a separate Service Canada application, on form ISP-1151 with the ISP-2519 medical report; Service Canada aims to decide within 120 calendar days. The CPP Disability guide: forms, deadlines and the appeal clock →
↑ Close this section7
Free eligibility + application checklist
Download a printable PDF with the DTC gateway, eligibility checklist, income test, application steps, and renewal reminders.Open this section ↓Download a printable PDF with the DTC gateway, eligibility checklist, income test, application steps, and renewal reminders.
↑ Close this sectionFree. General information only, not legal or regulatory advice.
Keep it with the rest. This one files behind tab 4 of the Home File.
8
Frequently asked questions
Open this section ↓How much is the Canada Disability Benefit?
The maximum is $204.20/month ($2,450.40/year) for the July 2026 - June 2027 benefit year, based on 2025 adjusted family net income. It is non-taxable and indexed to inflation annually. Verify the current amount at canada.ca.
Do I need the DTC to get the CDB?
Yes. An approved Disability Tax Credit is the mandatory gateway. Without it, you cannot receive the CDB regardless of income or disability severity.
What income is excluded from the CDB income test?
Working income: up to $10,210 (single) or $14,294 combined (couple) is excluded as of 2026-07. Figures re-index annually.
What are the 2026 DTC process changes?
July 14, 2026: the CRA "Submit documents" feature can no longer be used for DTC, use the digital form or mail. September 8, 2026: versions of Form T2201 from before 2023 are no longer accepted; use Form T2201 (2023 or later).
Does the CDB affect my taxes or other benefits?
The CDB is non-taxable and does not appear on a tax slip. It does not count as income for the GST/HST credit (renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026) or other income-tested benefits. Verify with Service Canada if you receive provincial benefits.
Official sources
Facts checked September 2026 · Benefit figures re-index annually, verify current amounts at canada.ca before applying.
↑ Close this sectionGuidepost is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice. Full disclaimer.