Canada Disability Benefit Update

The Canada Disability Benefit is a step closer to reaching people’s pockets in the summer of 2025. Here are a few updates on where things are at, what you need to know, and where to find help.

 

Canada Disability Benefit Regulations

The federal government has finished the regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit. The regulations will take effect on May 15, 2025. This means that eligible people will start receiving their first Canada Disability Benefit cheques in July 2025.

 

Eligibility criteria

To receive the benefit, a person must:

• be a resident of Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act
• have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit
• be between the ages of 18 and 64
• have filed an income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency for the previous tax year.
• be one of the following:
  • a Canadian citizen
  • a permanent resident
  • a protected person
  • a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the past 18 months
  • someone who is registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act

 

Benefit calculations

The maximum amount of the benefit for the July 2025 to June 2026 payment period will be $2,400 ($200 per month). The amount a person can receive will depend on their income and the income of their spouse or common-law partner, if they have one.

For more details about benefit calculations and the regulations, you can go here: summary of the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations. Service Canada will release more information about the application process before the rollout.

 

Filing taxes

To access the Canada Disability Benefit and other benefits, you must file your taxes.

If you need help with filing your taxes, the Disability Alliance BC Tax AID Program helps people with disabilities living on low incomes with simple income tax filing, and information or referrals.

You can also find a tax clinic near you by visiting the Government of Canada’s Find a Tax Clinic link.

 

Disability Tax Credit

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is one of the requirements to access the Canada Disability Benefit. The process for applying to the DTC consists of two parts. Part B must be completed by a medical practitioner. We encourage you to apply soon since this process can take several weeks to complete.

 

Where to find information and help?

Plan Institute has a great website with updates and information about the Canada Disability Benefit. On this website, you can learn about:

• The basics of the Canada Disability Benefit
• Details about Canada Disability Benefit eligibility criteria
• Information about the Disability Tax Credit – how to know if you qualify for Disability Tax Credit and how to apply
• Helpful resources, including their free Disability Planning Helpline to connect with an advisor

Disability Alliance BC also offers help with applying for Disability Benefits; visit their website Apply for Disability Benefits.

 

While the Canada Disability Benefit, as it currently stands, is a big step forward, we will continue to advocate for improvements—such as a higher benefit amount and expanding eligibility—to make sure it meets the needs of people with disabilities. We will continue this work with our national federation, Inclusion Canada, as part of the National Priorities for the Federal Agenda.

At the provincial level, we will continue our advocacy for the calls to action in our Position Statements on Income Security for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Income Security for Families raising Children and Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.