The cost of living in Quebec is higher than ever, and for many people with disabilities, making ends meet can feel nearly impossible. Everyday essentials like groceries, rent, and transportation have all gone up in price, while disability support programs have often struggled to keep pace.
That’s why the federal government has rolled out a brand new benefit aimed at helping close the gap. The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is now officially in effect, and it could put up to $200 a month directly into the pockets of eligible Canadians.
The program is designed for people aged 18 to 64 who live with a disability and qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. While $200 a month may not sound like a windfall, for those already relying on fixed incomes or provincial disability assistance, it’s an important boost that can cover essentials like groceries, medication, or a monthly transit pass.
What makes this benefit especially notable is that it’s brand new — and the first payments are already rolling out. In fact, depending on when you applied, you may even qualify for back payments dating as far back as June 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of who qualifies, how much you can expect, and when you’ll see the money hit your account.
What is the CDB?
The Canada Disability Benefit (Prestation canadienne pour les personnes handicapées, or PCPH) is a new monthly payment from the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada. It’s for people who are approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and meet other eligibility criteria.
Who qualifies for the CDB?
To get this benefit, you need to:
- Be between 18 and 64 years old
- Have an approved Disability Tax Credit (DTC) status
- Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes, and you must have filed your 2024 tax return
- Be one of: a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, First Nations person, a protected person, or someone who has lived in Canada for at least 18 months if you’re a temporary resident
- Not be serving a federal prison term of 2 or more years (though first and last month of such a term may still count)
How much can you get
- Up to $200 per month (that’s $2,400/year), adjusted for inflation
- Full benefit if your net adjusted income is under certain thresholds; it starts being reduced above those limits
- For a single person: full benefit if net income ≤ $23,000 (or ≤ ~$33,000 if at least $10,000 comes from work) Narcity
- For couples: different thresholds apply depending on whether one or both are eligible, and based on household income and how much comes from employment.
How payments start
- The first eligibility month was June 2025
- If your application was submitted and approved by June 30, 2025, you may receive retroactive payments back to June
- Payments come out third Thursday of each month for eligible people
When is the next CDB payment?
If you qualify for payments, you’ll be paid the month after your application is approved. Payments are sent out on the third Thursday of each month.
Here are all the CDB payment dates for 2025:
- July 17, 2025
- August 21, 2025
- September 18, 2025
- October 16, 2025
- November 20, 2025
- December 18, 2025
More on Canada Disability Benefit payments dates.
What to do if you think you’re eligible for the CDB
If you already have an approved Disability Tax Credit, check your mail — Service Canada may have sent a letter with a code to apply. If not:
- Gather proof of your DTC approval, your 2024 tax return, and citizenship/residency documents.
- Apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person through Service Canada.
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