Canada Disability Benefit payments for August go out soon — Here's why you might get extra
Some Canadians will get a double CDB payment this month. 💰
Disabled Canadians can get hundreds of dollars a month from this new government benefit.
If you're living with a disability in Canada, there's some good news coming your way — the next Canada Disability Benefit payment is just around the corner.
The monthly government payment officially launched last month, and for anyone who's already approved, August means another round of cash.
For others who applied a little later, this could be your first time receiving the Canada Disability Benefit — and if you were eligible in July too, your payment should include back pay.
The program is aimed at low-income adults who already qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and it's part of a broader push by the Government of Canada to make life more affordable for disabled Canadians.
With August's payment coming up next week, here's what to know — from eligibility and application info to how much you could get and when the money is expected to land.
What is the Canada Disability Benefit?
The Canada Disability Benefit is a new monthly payment from the federal government that supports low-income adults with disabilities. It's designed for people aged 18 to 64 who already qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, and it aims to help cover some of the added expenses that come with living with a disability.
The program has been in the works since 2020, when it was first proposed by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. After years of planning, public input and legislative work, it officially launched in 2025.
It's managed by Service Canada, and although the benefit started rolling out in July, many eligible Canadians are only now beginning to receive their first payments.
When will the new Canada Disability Benefit begin?
Applications for the Canada Disability Benefit officially opened on June 20, 2025. The first payments went out on July 17 to people whose applications were received and approved by June 30.
If you didn't meet that initial deadline, you can still apply — and you may be eligible for back pay. As long as you apply within two years of the program's launch and meet the requirements, payments can be retroactive to July 2025.
Service Canada says it aims to process applications within 28 days, or up to 49 days if a legal representative is applying for you. You can check your status by contacting Service Canada.
Payments are made each month, unless your annual entitlement is $240 or less. In that case, you'll receive the entire amount as a lump sum in the first month after your application is approved.
Who is eligible for the new Canada Disability Benefit?
To get the Canada Disability Benefit, you'll need to meet a few key criteria.
You must be between 18 and 64 years old and considered a resident of Canada for tax purposes. You also need to have filed your 2024 federal tax return — even if you had no income — and have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
Your immigration status matters too — you can qualify if you're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, someone registered under the Indian Act or a temporary resident who's been living in Canada for at least 18 months.
There are also some restrictions related to incarceration. If you're serving a federal prison sentence of two years or more, you won't receive payments during that time, except for the first and last month of your sentence.
How do I apply for the Canada Disability Benefit?
There are a few ways to apply for the Canada Disability Benefit, and what you'll need depends on whether Service Canada sent you an invitation.
If you got a letter in the mail inviting you to apply, it should include a 6-digit code. That code lets you apply online through the Service Canada portal. To complete the application, you'll also need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and proof of your status in Canada. Adding your direct deposit info is optional, but it's the fastest way to get your payments.
If you didn't get an invite, you can still apply on your own. In that case, you'll need to provide your SIN, legal status in Canada and mailing address. Including your 2024 income (line 23600 on your notice of assessment) and banking details can help speed things up.
You can apply online, by phone, in person at a Service Canada office or by mailing in a paper form. For the fastest processing, Service Canada says online is your best bet.
How much is the Canada Disability Benefit?
The Canada Disability Benefit pays up to $200 a month, or $2,400 a year, for those who qualify for the full amount. Like most other government payments, it's indexed to inflation — so future increases are expected.
However, because the benefit is income-tested, how much you actually receive depends on your household situation and income level.
If you're single:
- You can get the full $200 per month if your income is below $23,000.
- Up to $10,000 of working income is exempt, so you could earn up to $33,000 — as long as at least $10,000 of that comes from employment — and still get the full amount.
- Once your income goes above that, the benefit drops by 20 cents for every dollar you earn. If you make $45,000 or more, you're not eligible.
If you're in a couple and only one of you qualifies:
- Your household income must be under $32,500, after subtracting up to $14,000 in working income, to get the full benefit.
- The benefit is reduced by 20 cents for each extra dollar you earn. It phases out completely at $58,500.
If both you and your partner qualify:
- Each person can get $200 per month if your combined income is under $32,500, plus up to $14,000 in exempt working income.
- The payment is reduced by 10 cents for every dollar above that. No benefit is paid if your income reaches $70,500.
Keep in mind that if you applied in July but didn't get your first payment yet, August's deposit could include back pay for any amount you were eligible for last month. That means you might receive double this month, as long as you were eligible for both periods.
Is the Canada Disability Benefit taxable?
Currently, the Canada Disability Benefit is classified as social assistance under the Income Tax Act. While not taxable specifically, these payments are included in your net income for tax purposes. That means they can affect how much you receive from other income-tested programs, like the Canada Child Benefit or GST/HST Credit.
However, in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the Trudeau government announced its intention to amend the Income Tax Act so that the CDB is formally exempt from tax and not counted as income. Some provinces have made similar commitments.
As of now, the government has stated its plan, but has not yet passed legislation to make the exemption permanent. In the meantime, Service Canada says you won't have to pay income tax on the CDB, but they'll still send you a tax slip each February.
When are the Canada Disability Benefit payment dates?
Once your Canada Disability Benefit application is approved, payments begin the following month. The money is sent out on the third Thursday of each month.
That means the next payment is scheduled for Thursday, August 21.
After that, the remaining scheduled CDB payment dates for 2025 are:
- Thursday, September 18
- Thursday, October 16
- Thursday, November 20
- Thursday, December 18
However, if your annual entitlement is $240 or less, you'll get it as a one-time lump sum instead of monthly payments. This will be sent on the first scheduled payment date after your application is approved, covering the rest of the benefit year, which runs until June 2026.
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