The concept of a $15,630 CRA Disability Tax Credit for 2025 is inaccurate. The real, latest federal benefit is the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), offering up to $2,400 per year, disbursed as $200 per month from July 2025 to June 2026 .
This non-taxable cash benefit is separate from the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), a non-refundable tax credit that reduces your tax liability .
What’s New in 2025: CDB Overview
- Launch & Funding
The Canada Disability Benefit Act (June 22, 2024) and regulations effective May 15, 2025, allocated $6.1 billion over six years, with $1.4 billion annually starting 2025–26. - Eligibility Window & Application
Applications opened June 20, 2025, with first payments starting July 2025, covering up to 24 months retroactively back to June 2025. - Payment Schedule
Payments occur monthly, typically on the third Thursday, with specific dates such as Jul 17, Aug 21, Sep 18, etc. in 2025 .
Eligibility & Amount Table
| Category | Details (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Benefit Name | Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) |
| Annual Maximum | $2,400 ($200 per month) |
| Eligibility Age | 18 to 64 years |
| DTC Requirement | Must have approved Disability Tax Credit (DTC) |
| Tax Filing Condition | Must have filed 2024 tax return (and spouse’s, if applicable) |
| Residency Requirement | Canadian resident for tax purposes |
| Income Test | Sliding scale: full benefit if income ≤ thresholds; reduced beyond |
| Working-Income Exemptions | Singles: $10,000; Couples: $14,000 |
| Application Opened | June 20, 2025 |
| Payment Start | July 2025 |
| First Eligibility Month | June 2025 |
| Retroactive Payments | Up to 24 months back to June 2025 |
| Payment Date Pattern | On third Thursday each month post-approval |
Step-by-Step: How to Claim
- Obtain DTC Approval
Submit Form T2201 with medical practitioner’s certification via CRA or My Account - File 2024 Tax Returns
Ensure both your (and spouse’s, if applicable) 2024 federal returns are filed. - Apply for CDB via Service Canada
Submit starting June 20, 2025, through online, phone, or Service Canada in-person options . - Set Up Direct Deposit
Add banking info to receive swift payments. - Track Payments
Approved applicants receive payments monthly, beginning the month after approval. First payments included retroactive months.
Why the $15,630 Figure Is Incorrect
There is no Canadian federal disability benefit of $15,630 in 2025. The realistic federal amount is $2,400 annually, not a lump sum. Possibly this misinterpretation stems from confusing the 10-year retroactive DTC refund estimates, which might total sums like $15,000–$25,000 over a decade.
The real Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) for 2025 offers up to $2,400 annually in $200 monthly installments, not a one-time $15,630 payout.
To access it, Canadians aged 18–64 must first secure DTC approval and file their 2024 taxes, then apply via Service Canada from June 20, 2025. Payments began July 2025, with options for up to 24 months of retroactive support.
This new program provides much-needed financial relief to low-income people with disabilities—designed to enhance dignity, inclusivity, and economic security across Canada.
FAQs
No. The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit, reducing taxes owed—it does not provide monthly cash. The CDB is the monthly cash benefit and requires DTC approval
You must be 18–64 years old, approved for the DTC, have filed your 2024 tax return (and spouse’s if applicable), and be a Canadian tax resident.