The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), launched in July 2025, delivers vital financial support to low-income Canadians aged 18 to 64 who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The first eligibility month was June 2025, with payments starting in July for those approved by June 30.
Key Features and Background
The CDB offers up to $200 per month—or $2,400 annually, indexed to inflation—with the actual amount tailored to your household income and situation. The benefit was established by legislation passed in 2023, finalized via regulations early in 2025.
Who Is Eligible?
To benefit from the CDB, applicants must:
- Be 18 to 64 years old (with special provisions for those turning 65 or older).
- Be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
- Have filed their 2024 tax return (and their cohabiting spouse’s, if applicable).
- Be a Canadian tax resident and one of the following: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, person under the Indian Act, protected person, or a temporary resident with at least 18 months of Canadian residency.
- Not be incarcerated in a federal prison for two years or more—although exceptions exist for the first and last months served.
British Columbia has ensured that receiving CDB will not affect provincial income assistance, enabling recipients to retain the full benefit.
Application Process and Timing
Applications opened on June 20, 2025, and are processed by Service Canada. If approved by June 30, recipients began receiving payments on July 17.
Processing typically takes up to 28 days; thereafter, payments are issued on the third Thursday of each month. An official schedule confirms: July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18, 2025.
Approved applicants may receive retroactive back payments for eligible months since June 2025, but not prior.
How Much Could You Receive?
The maximum benefit is $200 per month, with the final amount adjusted based on your household income and marital status.
There’s also a working income exemption: $10,000 for individuals or $14,000 combined for couples is excluded from income calculations.
Feedback and Public Response
Although 98,000 Canadians received their first payment on July 17, over 80,000 applications are still pending. Many express frustration over delays:
“Weeks after its launch … people … are still waiting to see if they will receive … up to $200 a month.”
However, others, like advocacy groups in New Brunswick, call the benefit a “game‑changer” for individuals living on provincial disability assistance.
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) marks a landmark federal initiative to financially empower Canadians with disabilities who face mounting living costs. Offering up to $200 per month, the CDB aims to bridge accessibility gaps through a well‑structured, income‑tested monthly benefit.
With applications active since June 20, 2025, disbursements began in July and continue on the third Thursday of each month, with upcoming payments on August 21, 2025, and beyond.
While initial rollout delays have drawn concern, the program’s potential to support vulnerable Canadians remains significant—especially as systems streamline and public feedback shapes its future.
FAQs
When is the next CDB payment?
The upcoming payment is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025, continuing each month on the third Thursday through December.
Can I get payment for past months I was eligible?
Yes—if approved now, you may get retroactive payments for eligible months starting June 2025; however, no payments are made for earlier months.
Is CDB taxable and does it affect other benefits?
As of now, the CDB is non‑taxable, and in some provinces like B.C., it does not impact provincial assistance.