Disability and child benefits hitting accounts this week for eligible Canadians

Two federal benefit payments are arriving in accounts this week for eligible Canadians: the Canada Disability Benefit on Thursday, September 17, and the Canada Child Benefit on Friday, September 18.

The Canada Disability Benefit provides financial assistance to Canadians aged 18 to 64 living with a disability. The government began accepting applications last year. Payments start going out the month after an application is approved. Service Canada sent letters to qualifying applicants with a unique six-digit code and instructions. Those without an invitation letter can still apply if they have a spouse or common-law partner and both filed their 2025 federal income tax returns. CDB eligibility includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents who have lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, protected persons, and individuals registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act, along with those already approved for the Disability Tax Credit. The maximum monthly benefit for July 2026 to June 2027 is $204.20, with the amount varying based on adjusted family net income from 2025 taxes. Applicants may receive back payments for up to 24 months from when government receives the application, though back payments do not apply to months before June 2025. Recipients are also eligible for a one-time $150 payment to cover the cost of obtaining a medical certificate for the Disability Tax Credit.

The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment for eligible families helping with the cost of raising children under age 18. Families with children under 18 who have severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions can receive the Child Disability Benefit, which provides up to $290 per month per eligible child.