Starting June 20, 2025, eligible Canadians can apply for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)—a new federal initiative designed to provide financial support to working-age adults living with disabilities.

As part of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, this benefit aims to help reduce poverty and improve financial security for Canadians with disabilities. Below, we outline key details about eligibility, how to apply, and how much you might receive.

Who Is Eligible for the Canada Disability Benefit?

You may qualify for the CDB if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 64
• Qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
• Have filed a 2024 income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (or have a spouse or common-law partner who has)

The federal government is also mailing out application letters this June to individuals who may qualify. These letters will include a unique application code and step-by-step instructions. However, even if you don’t receive a letter, you can still apply, provided you supply a mailing address and your 2024 net income (line 23600) from your notice of assessment.

How to Apply for the Canada Disability Benefit

Applications open June 20, 2025, and can be submitted:

• Online through the Service Canada portal
• By phone
• In person at any Service Canada office

You will need the following:

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Your direct deposit information

Community organizations across the country will also be available to help you apply, especially if you need support applying for the Disability Tax Credit.

How Much Will You Receive?

The benefit amount is income-based and considers your adjusted family net income. The maximum annual amount is:

• $2,400 per year ($200 per month), from July 2025 to June 2026

This amount is indexed to inflation, meaning it may increase each year to reflect rising living costs. However, it won’t decrease even if inflation drops.

Additionally, retroactive payments of up to 24 months may be available if your application is approved—though only for months after July 2025.

Need Help with a Private Disability Insurance Claim?

While the Canada Disability Benefit is a government program that individuals must apply to directly, navigating the world of private disability insurance can be far more complicated—and that’s where we come in.

We protect your disability rights by offering trusted legal assistance for private disability claims, including short-term and long-term disability insurance, denials, delays, and terminations by insurance companies.

If your insurer has denied or cut off your disability benefits—or if you're unsure about your rights under a private disability policy—we're here to help. Our experienced Toronto disability lawyers will fight to ensure you receive the benefits you're entitled to under your insurance plan.

We don’t handle government benefits like the CDB or the Disability Tax Credit—but we do protect your rights when private insurers don’t.

Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you get the support you deserve.