Heads up, Canada! There’s a new monthly government payment rolling out that could mean more money in your pocket — and applications officially opened today.
The new Canada Disability Benefit is officially live as of Friday, and it marks a big change in how financial support is offered to working-age Canadians with disabilities.
According to Employment and Social Development Canada, this federal benefit is part of the broader Disability Inclusion Action Plan and is designed to help lower-income individuals between the ages of 18 and 64 who have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
This isn’t just a temporary relief measure — the Canada Disability Benefit is a permanent addition to Canada’s social safety net. If you qualify and get your application in by June 30, you could start receiving monthly payments as early as July. So yeah, it’s go time.
Who can apply?
The Canada Disability Benefit is aimed at adults who are:
- Between 18 and 64 years old
- Approved for the DTC
- Residents of Canada for tax purposes
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons or qualifying temporary residents
- Up to date on their 2024 federal income tax return (and their partner’s, if they have one)
How much can you get?
The maximum payment is $200 per month ($2,400 per year), but the exact amount you’ll get depends on your income and family situation. It’s an income-tested benefit, which means people who earn more money get less, or may not qualify at all.
Here’s the breakdown from the feds:
- Single with an income under $23,000? You get the full $200/month.
- Earning up to $33,000 with at least $10,000 of that from work? You’re still eligible for the full amount.
- Making more? Your benefit drops by 20 cents for every extra dollar earned, phasing out at $45,000.
For couples, the income limits are a bit different and depend on whether one or both partners are eligible. You can find a detailed breakdown of CDB amounts here, or use the new Canada Disability Benefit Estimator tool launched by Service Canada.
How to apply
Applications opened today — June 20 — and the process is designed to be easy and accessible. You can apply:
According to Employment and Social Development Canada, some people who already qualify for the DTC will even get an invitation letter in the mail.
Need help figuring it all out? Several community-based organizations across the country offer services to help Canadians with disabilities apply for both the DTC and the new benefit, with services that are free and accessible.
ESDC also notes that in order to receive your first payment in July, they’ll need to have received and approved your application by June 30.
What if you’re not ready yet?
No stress. Even if you miss the June 30 cutoff for the first round of payments, you won’t lose out. You’ll have up to two years to apply and still receive retroactive payments dating back to July 2025.
That means if you’re eligible but need more time to gather your documents or get DTC approval, you can still catch up and get paid later.
What this means for Canadians
Over 600,000 Canadians are expected to benefit from this new monthly payment, and it represents one of the biggest shifts in disability support in years. The Canada Disability Benefit is about improving financial security for low-income people with disabilities — and it’s the result of years of advocacy work from communities across the country.
So if this might apply to you or someone you care for, now’s the time to check your paperwork, get that DTC in order and apply — this is money you don’t want to leave on the table.
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