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Canada Disability Benefits 2025 : How much is the new Canada disability benefit for 2025?

Canada Disability Benefits 2025 : How much is the new Canada disability benefit for 2025?

After years of advocacy from disability communities, the federal government is in the final stages of rolling out the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). Scheduled to launch in July 2025, this new income supplement is designed to provide financial support to people with disabilities. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has put together a guide to help those who use its services and staff understand what the benefit entails. While some details may still change, this fact sheet will give you the basics to prepare for the upcoming benefit. We will continue to update this information as more details are released.

Key Details About the Canada Disability Benefit

  1. Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for the CDB, you must have a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate. If you’re unsure how to apply for the DTC, visit Canada.ca for more information. The government has promised to cover the costs of medical forms needed for the DTC, which currently people with disabilities must pay for themselves, but full details are still pending.
  2. Clawbacks: A potential issue is the risk of “clawbacks” – where you might lose or see a reduction in provincial or private insurance benefits if you start receiving the CDB. CMHA is advocating against these clawbacks and is pushing the government to confirm that they won’t happen.
  3. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: CMHA is concerned that people with episodic mental illnesses may struggle to qualify for the DTC. This includes those whose condition alternates between periods of wellness and disability. CMHA continues to push for changes that would make the DTC and CDB accessible to everyone with mental health or substance use disabilities.
  4. How Much Will You Receive? The Canada Disability Benefit will provide up to $2,400 per year, or $200 per month. Payments will be adjusted slightly for inflation in future years. The benefit amount will depend on your income from the previous tax year. The lower your income, the higher your benefit.
    • For single individuals, the benefit drops to zero if their annual income exceeds $35,000 to $45,000.
    • For couples, the threshold depends on whether one or both are eligible for the benefit.

    For a detailed calculation of the amount you may receive, you can visit the government’s website for more information.

  5. How to Apply and When Will Payments Start? The application process will be managed by Service Canada, and applications can be submitted both online and in-person. Payments will begin in July 2025. As long as you remain eligible, you won’t need to reapply each year.
  6. Appeal Process: If you disagree with a decision regarding your application or payment amount, you can request a review within 180 days. This review is free of charge and can be followed by further appeal processes if necessary.
  7. Will You Be Able to Work? You can work while receiving the CDB, as long as your income does not exceed the set threshold. The government has provided more information on income exemptions and the calculation formula for the benefit.
  8. Impact of Episodic Disabilities: If you experience episodic disabilities, this might affect your access to the benefit. The DTC provides either permanent or temporary eligibility, and if you’re temporarily eligible, you may need to reapply.
  9. Clawbacks of Other Benefits: It’s still unclear whether receiving the CDB will impact other benefits, but certain provinces, such as Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba, have confirmed that they will not reduce or eliminate their own benefits for those receiving the CDB.
  10. What Can You Do to Prepare? To apply for the CDB, make sure you file your taxes with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the 2024 tax year (starting in February 2025). If you live with a spouse or partner, they will also need to file their taxes. For those without the required DTC certificate, it’s important to apply for it as soon as possible.

Applying for a Disability Tax Credit Certificate

You can apply for a DTC certificate at any time, and the government aims to process applications within eight weeks. The government has promised to cover the cost of medical forms required for the DTC, which usually cost around $125. Details on when this funding will be available are still being finalized.

How Can You Get Involved?

If you want to advocate for improvements to the CDB or learn more about the Disability Tax Credit and other disability supports, CMHA encourages you to share your thoughts by emailing policy@cmha.ca. We’re working to ensure that these programs serve the needs of everyone with disabilities, including those with mental health and substance use conditions.

The Canada Disability Benefit represents a significant step toward providing more financial support to Canadians with disabilities. While there are still details to be ironed out, it’s crucial to stay informed and take the necessary steps to ensure eligibility when the benefit launches in July 2025. Be sure to file your taxes, check your eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit, and stay tuned for more updates from CMHA.

For further details on how the benefit will affect you or to get involved in advocacy efforts, don’t hesitate to contact policy@cmha.ca. Together, we can help ensure that the CDB is accessible and effective for all Canadians with disabilities.

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