In the middle of trying to keep all the pieces together, something big has been unfolding behind the scenes—something many of us in the disability and caregiving communities have been waiting years for. On June 20th, the application process for the new Canada Disability Benefit officially opens.

This benefit was created to help reduce poverty for working-age Canadians with disabilities. It’s been a long time coming, and while there are still a lot of unanswered questions, this is a milestone. One that could make a meaningful difference for some of the individuals and families I support—and maybe for yours, too.

What We Know So Far:

• Applications open June 20, 2025
• It’s for working-age adults (18–64) who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
• This is a federal income supplement, separate from provincial programs
• Exact monthly payment amounts haven’t been finalized—but it’s intended to top up income for those living below the poverty line
• The benefit is not automatic—you have to apply

Not Sure Where to Start? Let’s get into the details.

The Ultimate Guide to the Canada Disability Benefit

Whether you’re a caregiver, self-advocate, or support worker, the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a development worth paying attention to. Here’s everything you need to know—in plain language—to make sense of it all.

Here’s what you need to know—especially if you’re applying on behalf of your child or adult dependent.

Starting June 20, 2025, Canadians can apply for the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)—a monthly income support for low-income persons with disabilities. If your child or adult dependent is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), you may be able to apply on their behalf.

Whether you’re applying for yourself or for someone you care for, here’s a breakdown in plain language.

1. What Is the CDB?

The Canada Disability Benefit is a federal income supplement designed to reduce poverty for working-age Canadians (18–64) with a disability. It sits alongside, but is separate from, provincial disability supports and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). canada.ca

2. Who Can Apply?

• Adults with disabilities who already qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
• Parents, guardians, or caregivers of children or dependent adults who are DTC-approved
• The applicant must be between 18 and 64 years old
• They must be a Canadian resident and meet income eligibility requirements
• They must meet basic income-filing requirements (e.g., have filed 2024 taxes)

3. When and How to Apply

• Applications open June 20, 2025. You cannot apply before this date canada.ca
• Apply online, by phone, or in person at a Service Canada Centre
• If you’ve been pre-screened, look for a letter in the mail (arriving June 2025) with your personal application code and instructions; if not, you can still apply through the standard portal or paper form reddit.com
• First payments start in July 2025 for all applications received and approved by June 30; later approvals trigger retroactive top-ups back to June 2025 canada.cacp24.com

4. How Much Will You Receive?

• Maximum annual amount: $2,400 (i.e., up to $200/month) pooranlaw.com
• Full benefit if your household net income is $23,000 or less (after exempting up to $10,000 of employment income) pooranlaw.com
• Clawback rate: 20 ¢ reduction for every $1 above the $23,000 threshold pooranlaw.com
• Amounts will be indexed to inflation each year, but never reduced if inflation falls cp24.com
• Canada Disability Benefit Estimator

5. What You’ll Need to Apply

1. Social Insurance Number (SIN)
2. Direct-deposit banking info (Service Canada’s preferred payment method)
3. If you didn’t receive a letter, also have:
   • Your mailing address
   • Your 2024 net-income (line 23600 on your Notice of Assessment) canada.ca

6. Tracking Updates & Next Steps

I’ll keep this page updated as new facts roll out (e.g., final application form, Benefit Estimator tool, intake supports). Bookmark it and check back regularly, or join one of our communities for real-time alerts:

• Willowjak Treehouse Facebook Group – peer Q&A, step-by-step live guidance
• Willowjak Newsletter – deep dives, resource roundups, and exclusive “heads-up” when new guidance drops

7. FAQs

Q: Do I need to re-apply each year?

A: Not for now—once approved, you’ll stay eligible through June 2026, with any income updates handled through CRA.

Q: Will this affect my other benefits (ODSP, CPP-D)?

A: CDB is exempt from income tax and federally protected from claw-backs by other federal programs; provincial interactions may vary—ask your caseworker. canadadisabilitybenefit.ca

Q: How do joint-filing spouses’ incomes factor in?

A: “Household net income” includes your spouse’s or partner’s net income in determining your CDB amount.

(More FAQs coming as questions pour in—check back or post yours in the Facebook group!)

8. Noteworthy Tips for Parents & Caregivers

• The person with the disability must have an approved DTC. If you’re not sure, you can check online through your CRA account or call 1-800-959-8281.
• Parents/guardians can apply on behalf of their dependent children (18+) who have a disability—even if the dependent has never filed income taxes independently.
• If your dependent is under 18, they are not eligible yet—but this may change in the future.
• If your adult dependent lives with you and doesn’t have their own income, you may need to include household income when applying.
• The benefit is not automatic—you must apply even if your dependent already has the DTC.

Important for Caregivers: What if my dependent doesn’t file their own taxes?

If your dependent adult child (age 18+) has never filed a personal income tax return, you may still apply on their behalf. However:

• The Canada Disability Benefit is income-tested, so tax information is required to determine eligibility and payment amount
• If your dependent is not filing taxes independently, you may need to help them file a return—even if they have no income—so CRA can assess their eligibility
• If your dependent can’t manage their finances, you as the parent or guardian, may act as an authorized representative on their CRA account (you can set this up online or by phone)

Good News for ODSP Families

As of May 27, 2025, Ontario has confirmed that the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) will not reduce or affect other provincial supports like:

• ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program)
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)

💬 That means if your loved one is already receiving ODSP or other income supports from the province, they’ll be able to keep those benefits in full and receive the new federal CDB on top.

This is a big win for families, and it removes a lot of the worry about how this benefit might interact with existing supports.

🇨🇦 Not in Ontario?

If you live in another province or territory, the rules may be different.
Some provinces have not yet announced whether they will treat the Canada Disability Benefit as exempt income.

👉 We strongly recommend checking with your provincial or territorial social assistance office or disability support program to make sure that receiving the CDB won’t impact your current benefits.

You can also watch for updates from your local Ministry of Social Services, Disability Alliance, or community advocacy networks.

8. Stay in the Loop

This is a living resource—as soon as Service Canada or ESDC releases new details, I’ll update here and in your inbox. To make sure you don’t miss a single update:

👉 Join the Willowjak Treehouse Facebook Group

👉 Subscribe to the Willowjak Newsletter

If this benefit could affect you or someone you love, now’s the time to get prepared.

More to come soon, but for now—mark your calendar for June 20.

Let’s figure this out together.