You could get $200/month from this NEW government benefit and first payments go out soon
Here's how to apply if you haven't already! 👇
The new Canada Disability Benefit launches its first payments next week.
Big news for folks living with disabilities in Canada — a brand-new monthly payment is officially kicking off next week, and it could put some serious extra cash in your pocket.
The long-awaited new Canada Disability Benefit is finally starting to roll out in July, marking a major shift in how financial help is delivered to disabled Canadians.
It's the first national income support of its kind focused on working-age adults with disabilities, and it's been a long time coming.
After years of planning, legislation and advocacy, the government payment is now moving from talk to action. It's designed to help people who already qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and are living on a low income, and it's part of a broader push from the government to make life more affordable and accessible.
With first payments landing soon and applications already open, here's what to know about the new Canada Disability Benefit and its first payment in July 2025 — including who qualifies, how much you could get and how to apply so you get your payment ASAP.
What is the Canada Disability Benefit?
The Canada Disability Benefit is a new federal program that gives monthly payments to lower-income adults with disabilities. It's aimed at people between 18 and 64 and is meant to offset some of the costs associated with living with a disability.
This benefit is part of a bigger government strategy to improve inclusion and reduce poverty for disabled Canadians. It was first introduced by Justin Trudeau's government back in 2020, and after several years of consultations, policy development and legal steps, it's finally being put into action.
Service Canada is running the program, with the first-ever payments scheduled to go out in July.
Who is eligible for the new Canada Disability Benefit?
To qualify for the Canada Disability Benefit, you'll need to meet several requirements. You must:
- Be between 18 and 64 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, individual registered under the Indian Act or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for at least the last 18 months
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- Have filed your 2024 federal income tax return
- Have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
There are some limits related to incarceration as well. If you're serving a federal prison sentence of two years or more, you're not eligible for the benefit during that time — aside from the first and last month of your sentence.
How to apply for the Canada Disability Benefit
There are a few different ways to apply for the Canada Disability Benefit — and what you'll need depends on whether you got an official notice inviting you to apply.
If you received a letter from Service Canada, it will include a 6-digit application code. You can use that code to apply online, and you'll also need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and proof of your status in Canada. Direct deposit details are optional, but strongly recommended to get your payments faster.
If you didn't get a letter, you can still apply — it might just take a bit longer. You'll also need to provide your SIN, mailing address and legal status in Canada. To speed things up, you can also include your 2024 income (line 23600 from your notice of assessment), along with your banking info for direct deposit.
Applications can be submitted online, over the phone, in person at a Service Canada office or by mailing in a printed form. Service Canada recommends applying online for the quickest processing.
How much is the Canada Disability Benefit?
The maximum Canada Disability Benefit payment is $2,400 annually, paid out as $200 per month. Like most federal benefits, that amount is indexed to inflation, so it's expected to increase over time.
But because this is an income-tested benefit, what you actually receive depends on your adjusted family net income. Here's how the breakdown works:
If you're single:
- You can receive the full $200 monthly if your income is under $23,000.
- Up to $10,000 of working income is exempt, meaning you can earn up to $33,000 and still get the full amount if at least $10,000 comes from employment.
- Once your income goes above that, the benefit is reduced by 20 cents for every additional dollar. If you make $45,000 or more, you're no longer eligible.
If you're part of a couple and only one person qualifies:
- Your household must earn less than $32,500, after deducting up to $14,000 in working income, to receive the full payment.
- The benefit decreases by 20 cents for each dollar you make above that threshold. At $58,500 in total income, the benefit phases out entirely.
If both you and your partner qualify:
- Each of you can receive $200 per month if your combined income is below $32,500, plus up to $14,000 in exempt working income.
- For every dollar over that amount, the combined benefit is reduced by 10 cents. Once household income reaches $70,500, no benefit is paid.
When will the new Canada Disability Benefit begin?
Applications for the Canada Disability Benefit officially launched in on June 20, and the first payments are scheduled to go out next Thursday, July 17. To receive that initial payment though, Service Canada must have received and approved your application by June 30.
If you missed that deadline, there's no need to worry — you can still apply later and receive retroactive payments. As long as you apply within two years of the launch, you'll be eligible for back pay starting from July 2025, provided you qualify.
Once you submit your application, Service Canada says it aims to send a decision within 28 calendar days. If a legal representative is applying on your behalf, the review period is up to 49 days. You can follow up on your application status by contacting Service Canada directly.
Payments will typically be made monthly, but if the total amount you're eligible for over the year adds up to $240 or less, you'll receive it as a single lump sum in the first month your application is approved instead.
When are the Canada Disability Benefit payment dates?
If you're approved for the Canada Disability Benefit, you'll start receiving payments the month after your application is approved. Payments are issued on the third Thursday of each month.
For 2025, the scheduled payment dates are:
- Thursday, July 17
- Thursday, August 21
- Thursday, September 18
- Thursday, October 16
- Thursday, November 20
- Thursday, December 18
Most people will get their payments monthly, but if your total annual amount is $240 or less, you'll receive a lump sum instead. This one-time payment will be issued on your next scheduled payment date and will cover the rest of the benefit period, which runs until June 2026.
You can choose to receive your money by direct deposit or cheque. If you've already applied and want to update your payment method, you can contact Service Canada or fill out a direct deposit request form.
More about federal benefit payment datesLove this? Check out our Narcity noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!
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