The Child Disability Benefit was launched in 2003 by the federal Government as part of the Canada Child Benefit. It is a government benefit designed to help families cope with the expenses that come with caring for a child with a mental or physical disability.
This article covers the key details you need to know about the Child Disability Benefit, including who qualifies and how to apply, how much you could receive and when payments are made.
What is the Child Disability Benefit?
The Child Disability Benefit CDB is a tax-exempt monthly benefit managed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It supplements the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and provides financial assistance to families who have a child living with serious and long-term disabilities and is under the age of 18.
The CDB is intended to assist with the additional costs that frequently arise when raising a child with a disability. Such costs can involve therapy, medical apparatus, medication, and education.
When paired with other benefits such as the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), it can go a long way to covering the high monthly costs of long-term care.
Who Qualifies for the Child Disability Benefit?
To receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB), families must meet specific eligibility criteria under both the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The key criteria are outlined below:
Canada Child Benefit Eligibility
The family first need to meet the following four requirements to be eligible for the CCB:
- The main caregiver needs to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
- Their primary caregiver and CCB can be paid to them
- The child should be less than 18 years of age
- The child lives with the custodial parent
Disability Tax Credit Eligibility
In addition to meeting CCB conditions, the child must also be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), which involves the following two:
- The child must have a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment
- A medical practitioner must verify the disability on Form T2201
Once the DTC conditions are met, along with the earlier CCB requirements, the child may be eligible to receive the Child Disability Benefit.
The CDB is paid to only one caregiver per eligible child. Often this caregiver is a parent, but grandparents, adoptive parents, legal guardians or foster parents are also eligible if they are the primary person responsible for the child.
Unlike some other benefits, the CDB has no income cut-off threshold. Families of all income levels can qualify if they meet the eligibility requirements. However, the payment amount may be reduced based on the adjusted family net income.
Eligible families can also receive back payments for up to 10 years if they missed out on receiving the CDB in previous years.
What Types of Disabilities Are Covered?
The CDB covers a wide range of severe disabilities, including:
- Physical disabilities such as blindness, deafness, paralysis, or amputation
- Mental health conditions like autism, Down syndrome, or anxiety disorders
- Severe learning disabilities, including dyslexia
- Speech and language disorders
- ADHD, if it significantly restricts daily living activities
As for ADHD, the disability must severely impede functioning for 12+ months, like the inability to concentrate long enough to dress oneself or attend school.
Autism is covered when it significantly impairs communication and social interactions, like the inability to communicate or eat or sleep properly.
In short, to qualify for the CDB, the child’s disability must significantly limit their capacity to carry out everyday activities in all situations.
How Does the Child Disability Benefit Work?
The CDB works seamlessly with the Canada Child Benefit to provide extra support to families with qualified disabled children. Below are the key features of how the Child Disability Benefit works:
- Automatic monthly payments: Eligible families receive tax-free CDB payments automatically along with their CCB. No separate application is required.
- Payment recalculations: CDB payment amounts are updated each July, using the family’s adjusted net income from the prior tax year as the basis for calculation.
- Back payment: First-time CDB recipients get up to 2 years of retroactive payments automatically.
- Ongoing eligibility: To continue receiving the CDB, families must remain eligible for the CCB, and the child must maintain eligibility for the DTC.
That said, the Child Disability Benefit offers automatic, tax-free financial support to families of children with disabilities, helping ease financial burdens while ensuring continued care, year after year.
What Are the CDB Payment Amounts in 2025?
Child Disability Benefit payments are set each year depending on the family’s adjusted net income and how many children are eligible.
According to Canada.ca, from July 2025 to June 2026, the highest payment for each eligible child is $284.25 per month, which totals $3,411 each year.
Benefits begin to decrease once the adjusted family net income (AFNI) exceeds $81,222, with a reduction rate of 3.2% for families with one eligible child and 5.7% for those with two or more eligible children.
How to Apply for the Child Disability Benefit
A large number of people who are eligible get the CDB on their own without having to apply for benefits. This is commonly the situation when the child is currently approved to receive the DTC and the caregiver is currently in receipt of the Canada Child Benefit.
But if families do not get CDB payments automatically, they can apply using these four steps below:
Step 1: Submit an Application for the Disability Tax Credit
Have a licensed medical practitioner complete Form T2201, and submit it to the CRA for assessment and approval.
Step 2: File income tax returns
File your tax return every year, even if you have no income, to remain eligible for the CCB and CDB.
Step 3: Submit CDB back payment request (if needed)
You can ask for back pay of up to 10 years. The CRA will calculate the amount based on your income and situation in those years.
Step 4: Update CRA on relevant changes
Update your income, marital status, child custody arrangements and other personal details to ensure that you receive the appropriate amount of benefits.
It is critical for low-income families to file taxes annually so that there are no interruptions in coverage or benefits. The CRA will check eligibility and validate the amount based on information from their tax returns.
How are CDB payments delivered?
Child Disability Benefit payments are issued on a monthly basis directly to the eligible caregiver. They can be received by:
- Direct deposit into a bank account
- Cheque sent by email
The Child Disability Benefit is combined with the Canada Child Benefit into one monthly payment. You do not need to apply for each benefit separately.
The payment amount is figured out and changed every July, using the family’s adjusted net income from last year’s tax filing. For example:
- July 2024 payments were calculated using 2023 income data
- July 2025 payments will be determined by 2024 income data
As a result, it is crucial for families to file tax returns annually and report any major changes in income, marital status, custody arrangements or address. This ensures payment accuracy and continuity.
How does the Child Disability Benefit compare to the Disability Tax Credit?
The Child Disability Benefit differs significantly from the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), despite being linked in eligibility:
- CDB is a monthly, tax-free payment made directly to families to help cover the costs of care.
- DTC is a non-refundable credit that lowers the amount of income tax you may have to pay.
While they work together, the CDB provides cash in hand to pay bills and expenses. The DTC lowers the overall tax burden for caregivers. A child can qualify for both benefits simultaneously.
Eligibility for the DTC is the gateway to receiving the CDB. Once a child is approved for the Disability Tax Credit, the CRA will automatically assess their eligibility for the CDB as well.
The Bottom Line
The Child Disability Benefit helps support the well-being of Canadian children who have serious disabilities. Taking care of a child with special needs is a big responsibility, and this tax-free monthly payment can help ease the financial stress on families.
It is important to understand the medical rules, how payments are sent, and how the CDB works with other disability credits to get the most out of this benefit.
With the right help, children with disabilities can have the best chance to grow and succeed just like their classmates.
FAQs about Child Disability Benefit in Canada
Is the Child Disability Benefit retroactive?
Yes, first-time CDB recipients can receive up to 2 years of retroactive payments automatically. Ongoing recipients have payments recalculated annually.
Do families need to reapply for the Child Disability Benefit each year?
No. As long as you remain eligible and file taxes annually, payments will continue automatically without needing to reapply.
Can other caregivers, like grandparents, receive the Child Disability Benefit?
Yes. As long as the caregiver meets eligibility criteria, the CDB can be paid to grandparents, foster parents, and other legal guardians caring for an eligible child.
Can separated parents both receive the Child Disability Benefit for the same child?
Yes, separated parents who share custody can both receive CDB payments for the same eligible child, provided they both meet the eligibility criteria.
Does the CDB affect other benefits?
No, the CDB does not reduce or affect eligibility for other federal or provincial programs and benefits. It is an additional tax-free amount.
Are CDB payments increased each year?
Yes, CDB payment amounts are indexed annually based on changes to the cost of living. Maximum payment amounts typically increase slightly each July.
Does ADHD qualify for the Child Disability Benefit?
Yes, severe ADHD that markedly restricts daily functioning and meets Disability Tax Credit criteria can qualify a child for the CDB. Supporting medical evidence is required.
Can the CDB be claimed for a dependent child over age 18?
No, the child must be under 18 years old to qualify for the CDB. Other disability tax benefits may be available for dependent children 18 and over.
