Disability benefits in Canada: federal programs and help in your province
Quick summary
You are not behind. These programs exist because costs are real. Here is what is available, in plain words. The federal programs below are the same in every province and territory. Pick your place to see your provincial program, how to apply and who to call. For help paying tax, see thetax help hub.
Checked November 3, 2026. Main source: Canada.ca: Canada Disability Benefit, how much you could receive (modified Sept. 15, 2026). See all 10 sources.
The main federal programs at a glance
- Canada Disability Benefit
Up to $204.20 a month from July 2026 to June 2027, based on your 2025 tax return. The page's income thresholds are labelled with last year's data (July 2025 to June 2026): the benefit starts to shrink above $23,000 of net income for a single person and $32,500 for a couple. It is reduced by 20 cents for each dollar over the threshold (10 cents each if both spouses are eligible). The 2026-27 thresholds were not on the page when we checked, so confirm them there.
- Canada Pension Plan disability benefit
For 2026 the page shows a flat-rate part of $610.46 a month. The maximum monthly payment is $1,741.20. The average for new recipients was $1,236.32 (October 2025).
- Disability Tax Credit
A tax credit that lowers income tax for a person with a severe and prolonged impairment. Approval also opens the door to other programs, such as the Canada Disability Benefit, the Child Disability Benefit and the RDSP.
- Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) with grants and bonds
The grant is up to $3,500 a year, to a lifetime maximum of $70,000. The bond is up to $1,000 a year with no contribution needed, to a lifetime maximum of $20,000. Unused amounts can be carried forward up to 10 years.
Find your province or territory
Federal programs, the same for everyone in Canada
Each card shows the official source and the date we checked it.
Income
Canada Disability Benefit
A monthly payment from the federal government for working-age people with disabilities who have low income.
Who: The program page says people aged 18 to 64 who are approved for the Disability Tax Credit, and who file their taxes (and their spouse or partner does too), may be able to receive it.
How much: Up to $204.20 a month from July 2026 to June 2027, based on your 2025 tax return. The page's income thresholds are labelled with last year's data (July 2025 to June 2026): the benefit starts to shrink above $23,000 of net income for a single person and $32,500 for a couple. It is reduced by 20 cents for each dollar over the threshold (10 cents each if both spouses are eligible). The 2026-27 thresholds were not on the page when we checked, so confirm them there.
How to start: Get approved for the Disability Tax Credit and file your taxes. Then use the application on the program page.
Source: Canada.ca: Canada Disability Benefit, how much you could receive (modified Sept. 15, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Canada Disability Benefit $150 extra payment
An extra payment announced for people in the Canada Disability Benefit program.
Who: People who received the benefit between July 2025 and June 2026 are in the first group. People who became eligible since July 2026, or who were approved for a new Disability Tax Credit certificate after re-certification, are in the second group.
How much: $150 for each approved Disability Tax Credit certificate that qualifies the person. First group: September 17, 2026. Second group: winter 2027.
How to start: The government says people do not need to apply for this payment.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada: supplemental payments (Sept. 10, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Canada Pension Plan disability benefit
A monthly payment for people who have paid into the Canada Pension Plan and cannot work because of a disability.
Who: The program page says people over 18 and under 65 who are unable to work because of a disability may be able to apply. Contribution rules are on the program's eligibility page.
How much: For 2026 the page shows a flat-rate part of $610.46 a month. The maximum monthly payment is $1,741.20. The average for new recipients was $1,236.32 (October 2025).
How to start: Use the Apply link on the program page.
Source: Canada.ca: CPP disability benefit, how much (modified Oct. 13, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Employment Insurance sickness benefits
Short-term income for people who cannot work for a medical reason and have paid into Employment Insurance.
Who: People who need a medical certificate showing they cannot work for medical reasons, and for about how long.
How much: Up to 26 weeks. The rate is 55% of earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026.
How to start: Apply on the Employment Insurance sickness benefits page with your medical certificate.
Source: Canada.ca: EI sickness benefits (modified Oct. 22, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Tax credits and benefits paid through your tax return
Disability Tax Credit
A tax credit that lowers income tax for a person with a severe and prolonged impairment. Approval also opens the door to other programs, such as the Canada Disability Benefit, the Child Disability Benefit and the RDSP.
Who: A medical practitioner certifies the impairment on Form T2201, and the CRA decides. The CRA page says the restriction must be present all or almost all of the time (generally at least 90%) and last, or be expected to last, at least 12 months. Categories listed: walking, mental functions, dressing, feeding, eliminating, hearing, speaking, vision, and life-sustaining therapy.
How to start: Ask a medical practitioner to complete the medical part of Form T2201. Send it to the CRA. You can send it at any time during the year. Phone: 1-800-959-8281.
Source: CRA: Disability tax credit, who is eligible (modified Oct. 22, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Canada Workers Benefit, with a disability supplement
A refundable tax credit for people with low income who work. A disability supplement may be added for people approved for the Disability Tax Credit.
Who: Read the CRA eligibility page. You claim it when you file your taxes.
How much: For the 2025 tax year the basic maximum is $1,633 for a single person and $2,813 for a family. The disability supplement maximum is $843.
How to start: File your tax return and complete the Canada Workers Benefit schedule. The CRA can pay up to half in advance.
Source: CRA: Canada workers benefit, how much you can get (modified Apr. 8, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
A tax-free quarterly payment for people with low and modest income. It was called the GST/HST credit before.
Who: You only get a notice if you are entitled to it. File your taxes every year so the CRA can work it out.
How much: Up to $679 for a single person, $890 for a married or common-law couple, and $234 per child under 19, from July 2026 to June 2027.
How to start: File your tax return. The CRA sends a notice with your yearly amount and payment schedule.
Source: CRA: Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, how much (modified July 15, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Savings
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) with grants and bonds
A savings plan for a person approved for the Disability Tax Credit. The government can add money through the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond.
Who: The grant and bond can be paid until December 31 of the year the person turns 49. Under 18, they are based on the parents' income. From 19, they are based on the person's own income and any spouse's.
How much: The grant is up to $3,500 a year, to a lifetime maximum of $70,000. The bond is up to $1,000 a year with no contribution needed, to a lifetime maximum of $20,000. Unused amounts can be carried forward up to 10 years.
How to start: Ask a bank or other issuer that offers the RDSP to open a plan. You need Disability Tax Credit approval first.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada: how much you could get in grants and bonds (modified July 10, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
For families
Child Disability Benefit
A tax-free monthly payment added to the Canada Child Benefit for a child with a disability.
Who: You must be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit, and the child must be under 18 and approved for the Disability Tax Credit.
How much: Up to $290 a month ($3,480 a year) for each approved child from July 2026 to June 2027. It is reduced when family income is above $82,847.
How to start: If you already get the Canada Child Benefit for a child who is approved for the Disability Tax Credit, it is paid automatically. Phone: 1-800-387-1193.
Source: CRA: Child disability benefit (modified June 15, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Health
Canadian Dental Care Plan
Federal help with dental costs for people who do not have private dental insurance.
Who: The program page says you and your spouse or partner must be Canadian residents for tax purposes, have filed taxes for the previous year, and have adjusted family net income under $90,000. You cannot have access to private dental coverage.
How to start: Use the Apply page linked from the program page. You confirm your eligibility each year.
Source: Canada.ca: Canadian Dental Care Plan, do you qualify (modified Sept. 22, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
Things that often get missed
- File your taxes every year, even with no income. Many benefits are worked out from your tax return.
- The Disability Tax Credit approval opens other programs, such as the Canada Disability Benefit, the Child Disability Benefit and the RDSP.
- The RDSP grant and bond can be carried forward for up to 10 years of past approval.
- Free tax clinics can help with simple returns.
What to say when you phone
Offices can be hard to reach. A short list helps.
- Say who you are and your province: "I am calling to ask about disability support."
- Ask: "What programs could I apply for, and what do I need to bring?"
- Ask: "How does working or saving a little affect my payment?"
- Ask: "What happens to my health and drug coverage?"
- Write down the date, the name of the person and what they said. Ask for it in writing if you can.
Other guides on this site
Benefits, work and family: guides
- Cash Back and Flyer Apps in Canada: Rakuten, Flipp and MoreNew
- First Job Savings Goal Planner: Pay, Take-Home, GoalNew
- Your First Job in Canada: A Guide for TeensNew
- Canada Child Benefit 2026-27: Amounts and Income Limits
- Statutory Holidays in Canada: Rules, Pay, Who Qualifies
- EI Maternity and Parental Benefits: Weeks and Pay
- Child Care Expense Deduction: CRA Limits per Child
- Stat Holidays in Canada 2026: Dates by Province
- Canadian Dental Care Plan: Who Qualifies and Apply
- Groceries and Essentials Benefit 2026-27: Who Qualifies
Questions people ask
What is the difference between CPP disability and the Canada Disability Benefit?
CPP disability is paid to people who have paid into the Canada Pension Plan and cannot work because of a disability. The Canada Disability Benefit is a separate monthly payment for low-income people aged 18 to 64 who are approved for the Disability Tax Credit. They are different programs with different rules. The program pages explain each.
Do I need the Disability Tax Credit first?
For the Canada Disability Benefit, the Child Disability Benefit and the RDSP grant and bond, the program pages say approval for the Disability Tax Credit is needed. A medical practitioner completes Form T2201 and the CRA decides.
Do I need to apply for the $150 Canada Disability Benefit payment?
No. The government says people do not need to apply for it. Eligible people receive it automatically.
Is my province's disability program the same as the federal one?
No. Federal programs are the same for everyone in Canada. Each province and territory runs its own income and health programs. Pick yours on this page.
Is this site a government website?
No. This is an independent site. We link to the official page for every program and figure so you can check it.
Can I work while on disability income?
Often yes, but each program sets its own rules. For example, Manitoba EIA lets you keep the first $200 of net monthly earnings and 30% above that, and Alberta ADAP lets a single person earn $700 a month before the financial benefit is affected. Your province's page on this site shows what we found. Ask your office how your earnings count.
What is handi-transit?
Handi-transit, also called paratransit, is a door-to-door ride service for people whose disability stops them from using regular buses. Names differ by place, such as Winnipeg Transit Plus, Toronto's Wheel-Trans, HandyDART in BC, Access Calgary, Edmonton DATS and Halifax Access-A-Bus. You usually apply once and the service decides who qualifies. Your province's page lists the services we found.
Is an accessible parking permit free?
It depends on where you live. Ontario's permit is free, the Saskatchewan permit page lists a $10 fee, and the City of Whitehorse lists $35. Your province's page shows who issues the permit.
How much is the Child Disability Benefit?
Up to $290 a month ($3,480 a year) for each child approved for the Disability Tax Credit, from July 2026 to June 2027. It is paid with the Canada Child Benefit and is reduced when family income is above $82,847.
How much can I get from the RDSP grant and bond?
The grant is up to $3,500 a year to a lifetime maximum of $70,000. The bond is up to $1,000 a year with no contribution needed, to a lifetime maximum of $20,000. Unused amounts can be carried forward up to 10 years.
Do I have to file taxes to get disability benefits?
For the Canada Disability Benefit, you and your spouse or partner must file taxes. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and many provincial credits are also worked out from your return. File every year, even with no income.
How much is CPP disability?
For 2026 the flat-rate part is $610.46 a month and the maximum monthly payment is $1,741.20. The average for new recipients was $1,236.32 (October 2025). The amount depends on what you paid into the Canada Pension Plan.
What is the income limit for the Canada Disability Benefit?
The page's thresholds are labelled with last year's data: the benefit starts to shrink above $23,000 of net income for a single person and $32,500 for a couple, by 20 cents per dollar over. The 2026-27 thresholds were not on the page when we checked, so confirm them on the official page.
What if my disability benefit is refused or cut off?
You can usually ask for a review or appeal. Quebec paratransit, for example, gives 40 days to appeal. Legal aid in your province may help. Each province page lists a legal aid contact.
Is there help with drug and dental costs?
Federal help: the Canadian Dental Care Plan covers people with adjusted family net income under $90,000 who have no private dental coverage. Provincial programs often add drug, dental and vision coverage for people on disability income, such as ODSP in Ontario. Your province's page lists what we found.
Is this advice?
No. It is general information. A program office can tell you what applies to you.