How To Apply For The Child Disability Benefit (CDB)

Not only does caring for a child with a disability take a physical and emotional toll on parents, but it can also put many families under financial strain. 

To help offset these costs, the Child Disability Benefit is available to qualifying families to help offset additional costs. 

Key Points

• The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) provides tax-free, monthly payments to families caring for disabled children.
• The maximum benefit per child is $264.41 per month or $3,173 per year. 
• To be eligible for the CDB, families must qualify for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), and children must qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
• Those who are already getting the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will automatically receive the Canada Child Benefit.

What Is The Child Disability Benefit (CDB)?

The CDB is a tax-free benefit that is paid out to parents and caregivers of disabled children under the age of 18. It is available whether or not you have taxable income. Should both parents be caretakers, only one can claim the benefit.

Child Disability Benefit Payment Dates 2024

Child Disability Benefit payments are issued monthly and typically deposited directly into your bank account. It is paid alongside the Canada Child Benefit for those who are eligible. 

To get the Child Disability Benefit, you must qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. However, if you are receiving the Canada Child Benefit and you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, then you automatically receive the CDB payment.

CDB payment dates for 2024 are as follows:

These dates correspond with the payment dates for the Canada Child Benefit, making it easier to budget for families relying primarily on this income to care for disabled children. 

How Much Can You Get Through The Child Disability Benefit?

The maximum benefit per child from July 2023 to June 2024 is $264.41 per month ($3,173 a year).

The exact amount of Child Disability Benefit you receive is determined based on the following factors:

• Number of children eligible in the household 
• Marital status
• Adjusted family net income (AFNI)

Together, these parameters paint a picture of fiscal need and are used to determine how much credit you get each year. 

The benefit is reduced when the AFNI exceeds $75,537. The exact reduction in the benefit amount depends on the number of children in the household and how high your AFNI increases:

• For families with one eligible child, the benefit reduction rate is 3.2% of the amount of AFNI over $75,537.
• For families with at least 2 eligible children, the reduction rate is 5.7% of the amount of AFNI over $75,537.

Who Is Eligible For The Child Disability Benefit? 

To be eligible for the CDB, you must qualify for the Canada Child Benefit and the Disability Tax Credit. Provided you do, there is no separate application for the CDB; you are automatically enrolled in the program.

DTC Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this credit, you must have a significant mental or physical impairment that lasts for at least 12 months, and be restricted most of the time. 

CCB Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit, you must meet all the following criteria: 

• Live with a child younger than 18 years of age
• Be the party primarily responsible for the child’s care
• Be a Canadian resident for the purposes of taxation
• You or your spouse must be one of the following:
  • Citizen of Canada
  • Permanent resident of Canada
  • A person under protection
  • Temporary resident living in Canada for the previous 18 months, where there will be a permit valid for the subsequent month
  • An indigenous person pursuant to the relevant legislation 

How Do You Apply For The Child Disability Benefit? 

There is no application required for the Child Disability Benefit. If you qualify for the Canada Child Benefit and the Disability Tax Credit, you’ll automatically be enrolled in the CDB program. 

However, if you are not already enrolled for either of these benefits, you must file paperwork with the government and actively enroll yourself.

How To Apply For The DTC

You can apply for The Child Disability Tax Credit by completing Form T2201, or by applying online or by telephone using the digital form. The application is split into two key sections:

• First section: Part A. This section is filled out by the taxpayer who would be receiving the benefits. It covers all the basic personal information of the applicant and covers details about the disabled party. 
• Second section: Part B. This section is filled out by a medical practitioner who certifies the disability and explains its impact. 

How To Apply For The CCB

You can apply for the CCB during the registration of your child’s birth at the hospital. If you don’t apply then, you can apply online or via mail. 

• Online – Sign into your CRA MyAccount and navigate to the Benefits and Credits page. Find the Child Information page and click the +add button to apply. 
• By Mail – You can also apply for CCB via mail by filling out and signing form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application and mailing it to your tax centre.

If you’ve already applied for CCB, you can continue receiving the benefits by simply filing your income tax return on time, each year. 

Is The Child Disability Benefit Retroactive?

If you could have qualified for the CDB in the past but didn’t receive the credit, you could be eligible for a retroactive payment. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will assess your income tax returns for the previous 10 years. 

You must remain eligible for the benefit to continue receiving payments going forward. 

What’s The Difference Between The Child Disability Benefit And The Disability Tax Credit?

The CDB and DTC are not the same. While children must qualify for the DTC for their families to receive the CDB, these two benefits are different. 

The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that can reduce the amount of taxes paid. It is designed to help offset some of the costs associated with caring for disabled individuals. Receiving the DTC can open up opportunities to qualify for other benefits, including the CDB, as well as others such as the Canada Workers’ Benefit (CWB) and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).

Additional Reading

How To Qualify For The Disability Tax Credit In Canada

Best Children & Youth Savings Accounts In Canada

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Payment Dates 2025

Bottom Line 

The cost of caring for a disabled child can be significant, especially if the condition is long-term. Fortunately, programs are available to alleviate these financial burdens, including the Child Disability Benefit.

Child Disability Benefit FAQs