You could get $200 from this new government benefit in September and here's who qualifies
If you live with a disability in Canada, there could be a monthly payment coming your way soon, and it's part of a brand-new federal benefit that launched this summer.
The Canada Disability Benefit started rolling out earlier this year, and it's already putting cash into the pockets of people who qualify.
The government payment was created to boost financial support for low-income adults with disabilities across the country, and it's just one of many payments you could get from Service Canada and the CRA in September.
Whether you're already getting monthly deposits or waiting to hear back on your application, the Canada Disability Benefit payment for September is rolling out soon.
For those just approved, this could be the first payment you see — and depending on when you became eligible, it might even come with a little extra to cover past months too.
With the next payout less than a week away, here's what to know — from eligibility rules and application tips to how much you could get and when to expect your deposit.
What is the Canada Disability Benefit?
The Canada Disability Benefit is a monthly payment from the Government of Canada created to support low-income adults with disabilities. It's available to people between the ages of 18 and 64 who are already approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and it's meant to help ease some of the extra costs that come with living with a disability in Canada.
The idea for the benefit was first introduced back in 2020 under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. It took several years of planning, consultation and legislation before it officially launched in the summer of 2025.
Although payments began going out in July, many eligible recipients are just starting to receive their funds. The program is managed by Service Canada, which is also responsible for processing applications and issuing monthly deposits.
When will the new Canada Disability Benefit begin?
Applications for the Canada Disability Benefit opened on June 20, 2025, with the first round of payments issued on July 17 to applicants who were approved by the end of June.
If you missed that early deadline, there's no need to worry — the benefit is still open for new applications. As long as you apply within two years of the program’s launch and meet the eligibility criteria, you could receive retroactive payments going back to July 2025.
Service Canada processes most applications within 28 days, though it may take up to 49 days if a legal representative submits your application on your behalf. You can contact Service Canada directly for updates on your application status.
Payments are sent out monthly. However, if you're eligible for $240 or less per benefit year, you'll receive the full amount in one lump sum during the first month after approval.
Canada Disability Benefit eligibility
To qualify for the Canada Disability Benefit, you need to meet several eligibility requirements.
First, you must be between 18 and 64 years old, live in Canada for tax purposes and have filed your 2024 federal income tax return — even if you had no income. You also need to be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) before applying.
Your legal status in Canada is also important. You can apply if you're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, someone registered under the Indian Act or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for at least 18 months.
There are also some limits tied to incarceration. If you're serving a sentence of two years or more in a federal prison, you're not eligible to receive payments during that time, with the exception of the first and last month of your sentence.
Canada Disability Benefit income threshold
The Canada Disability Benefit is income-tested, meaning the amount you receive depends on your household income, marital status and whether your partner also qualifies.
There's also a working income exemption. This means a portion of your employment, self-employment or taxable scholarship income is excluded when calculating your eligibility — up to $10,000 for single individuals and up to $14,000 for couples.
Here are the income thresholds based on your situation:
- Single individuals: You can receive the full $200 per month if your adjusted net income is $23,000 or less. If at least $10,000 of your income is from work, your total earnings can be as high as $33,000 before reductions begin. The benefit phases out completely at $45,000.
- Couples (only one partner is eligible): You'll get the full amount if your household income is $32,500 or less. With $14,000 or more in working income, you can earn up to $46,500 before reductions kick in. Payments phase out entirely at $58,500.
- Couples (both partners are eligible): You and your partner can each receive the full benefit if your combined income is $32,500 or less. With up to $14,000 in exempt combined working income, you can earn as much as $46,500 before your payments start to go down. The benefit is fully phased out once your household income reaches $70,500.
How to apply for the Canada Disability Benefit
You can apply for the Canada Disability Benefit in a few different ways. If you received a letter inviting you to apply, it should include a 6-digit access code — you can use that code to apply online through the Service Canada portal. You'll also need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and proof of your legal status in Canada. While not required, entering your direct deposit details can help you get paid faster.
If you didn't get an invitation, you can still apply if you think you might be eligible. You'll need to provide your SIN, Canadian immigration status and current mailing address. Including your 2024 income (from line 23600 of your notice of assessment) and banking info can help speed up the process.
Applications can be submitted online, by phone, by mailing in a paper form or by visiting a Service Canada location. According to the feds, applying online is the quickest option.
Canada Disability Benefit amount
The Canada Disability Benefit pays a maximum of $200 per month (or $2,400 per year) for those who qualify for the full amount. The payment is indexed to inflation, so the amount may increase in future years.
Because this is an income-tested benefit, how much you receive depends on your income, marital status and whether your household earns any working income.
- If you're single, you can receive the full $200 if your income is under $23,000 — or up to $33,000 if at least $10,000 of that is from employment. For every dollar of income you make above the threshold, your benefit is reduced by 20 cents.
- If you're part of a couple and only one of you qualifies, you can get the full benefit if your household income is $32,500 or less, plus up to $14,000 in exempt working income (i.e., $46,500 total). Payments are reduced by 20 cents per dollar above that.
- If both partners qualify, each person can receive $200 per month with a combined income of up to $32,500, or $46,500 with exempt working income. Above that point, each person's benefit is reduced by 10 cents per dollar earned.
Plus, if you applied last month but haven't gotten any payments yet, your next deposit could include retroactive pay for any months you were eligible — so you may see up to $600 this time if you've been eligible since July.
Canada Disability Benefit calculator
If you're looking for a personalized estimate of how much you could get from the CDB, Service Canada offers an online Canada Disability Benefit Estimator that can give you an idea of how much you might receive each month.
The tool only takes a few minutes and asks for details like your income and marital status. Keep in mind that it doesn't determine eligibility — it just gives an estimate assuming you're eligible. You'll get the most accurate result by using info from your latest notice of assessment.
Is the Canada Disability Benefit taxable?
Right now, the Canada Disability Benefit is considered social assistance under the Income Tax Act, so it's not taxed — but it still counts toward your net income. That means it could affect other income-tested benefits, like the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST Credit and others.
In its 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the Trudeau government announced plans to change the law so the CDB won't be taxed or counted as income at all. Some provinces have also signalled they'll follow suit.
Currently, there's no legislation in place making that announcement law. For now, Service Canada says you won't be taxed on your CDB payments, although you'll still get a tax slip for them in February.
Canada Disability Benefit payment dates
Once your Canada Disability Benefit application is approved, monthly payments start the following month. The money is deposited on the third Thursday of each month.
The next scheduled payment date is Thursday, September 18. Here are the remaining dates for 2025:
- Thursday, October 16
- Thursday, November 20
- Thursday, December 18
If your annual benefit amount is $240 or less, you'll receive it as a single lump sum instead of monthly deposits. That payment will be issued on the first scheduled date after your approval and will cover the rest of the benefit year, which ends in June 2026.
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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