The Canada Disability Benefit (Effective July 2025)

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a new federal financial support program set to begin in July 2025. It is designed to assist working-age Canadians with disabilities by reducing poverty and improving quality of life.

The benefit is part of the federal government's effort to address long-standing gaps in disability income support. Unlike existing provincial programs, the Canada Disability Benefit is a national initiative, established under the Canada Disability Benefit Act, which received Royal Assent on June 22, 2023.

To qualify for the Canada Disability Benefit, a person must:

• Be between 18 and 64 years old

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

• Meet disability eligibility criteria (exact standards to be defined in regulations)

• Submit an application through Service Canada

  
  

More detailed eligibility rules and the application process will be set out in accompanying regulations, which the federal government is expected to finalize before the program’s launch in July 2025.

As of April 2025, the federal government has confirmed that the maximum amount will be up to $2,400 per year, or $200 per month. The exact amount a person receives will depend on:

• Their income level

• Whether they already receive other disability benefits (e.g., provincial assistance)

• Their household financial situation

  
  

The benefit is designed to complement, not replace, existing provincial and territorial support programs.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will administer the benefit, in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Applications will likely be tied to annual tax filings, and eligibility may be confirmed using existing programs such as the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Individuals may apply online, by mail, or in-person through Service Canada.

The Canada Disability Benefit is legislated through the:

• Canada Disability Benefit Act (S.C. 2023, c. 19)This Act establishes the benefit framework and authorizes the federal Cabinet to make regulations concerning eligibility, amount, application, and review procedures.

• Income Tax Act (Canada) and related tax legislation may be referenced in regulations to confirm income levels and assess financial need.

The benefit complements existing provincial statutes, such as Ontario’s Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, but operates independently at the federal level.

• Effective Date: July 2025

• The first payments are expected to roll out mid-year, following an anticipated public awareness campaign and regulatory publication.

The Canada Disability Benefit is a landmark step in Canada's efforts to reduce poverty among people with disabilities. According to Statistics Canada, nearly 1 in 5 Canadians over age 15 live with a disability. Many face higher living costs and lower employment rates, leading to a significant risk of financial hardship.

By providing targeted financial assistance to working-age adults with disabilities, the CDB seeks to fill critical income gaps and promote inclusion.

How Is This Different from Other Programs?

Feature	Canada Disability Benefit	Provincial Disability Programs (e.g., ODSP)
Jurisdiction	Federal	Provincial/Territorial
Age Range	18–64	Varies by province
Income-Tested	Yes	Yes
Application Platform	CRA / Service Canada	Province-specific agencies
Relationship to Other Supports	Meant to supplement, not replace	Often the primary source of support

Need More Information?

Official application details, including forms and eligibility tools, will be made available through Service Canada ahead of the July 2025 launch. For now, Canadians are encouraged to:

• Ensure their tax filings and Disability Tax Credit status are up to date

• Monitor announcements on Canada.ca or contact Service Canada directly

Sources

• Canada Disability Benefit Act (S.C. 2023, c. 19)Canada Disability Benefit Act on Justice Laws

• Government of Canada: Budget 2024 & Disability Benefit AnnouncementsGovernment of Canada – Budget Measures

• Pulse Canada News – What’s New in 2025pulsecanada.ca

• Statistics Canada – Disability and Accessibility DataStatCan – Accessibility Data