‘This benefit is about dignity, justice, and creating a more inclusive Canada’
The federal government will begin accepting applications for the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) later this week.
The application period for the program will officially open on June 20, according to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
"With the Canada Disability Benefit application set to open on June 20, financial support will be delivered to working-age, low-income persons with disabilities starting next month," says Patty Hajdu, minister of jobs and families. "I want to extend my gratitude to disability advocates across the country who have worked tirelessly to help shape this historic benefit."
In 2021, the federal government introduced legislation to establish the framework for CDB for working-age Canadians with disabilities. It rebooted the legislation in 2022. Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act, received royal assent in 2023.
Who is eligible for CDB?
To qualify for the CDB:
- you must be between 18 and 64 years oldIf you're outside of these ages
- you must have been approved for the disability tax credit
- you and your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) must have filed your 2024 federal income tax return
- you must be a Canadian resident for income tax filing purposes
- you must be one of the following:
- a Canadian citizen
- a permanent resident
- an individual registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act
- a protected person
- a temporary resident who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months
Canadians will be able to apply online, in person at a Service Canada office, or by phone, according to the government.
"The Canada Disability Benefit is a critical step forward in our work to improve financial security for working-age persons with disabilities," says Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families.
"Too many Canadians continue to face barriers that limit their full participation in our society and economy. This benefit is about dignity, justice, and creating a more inclusive Canada — one where everyone has the chance to thrive."
Budget 2024 committed an investment of $6.1 billion over six years starting in 2024–25, with $1.4 billion ongoing for the CDB. The benefit will provide a maximum of $2,400 per year to low-income persons with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64. It is estimated that this benefit will improve the financial security of over 600,000 low-income Canadians with disabilities.
Ottawa previously engaged with over 8,000 Canadians with disabilities, disability stakeholders, Indigenous governments and organisations, and provincial and territorial governments in developing the benefit. The federal government has pledged to continue seeking input for future improvements.
Ongoing employment challenges for Canadians with disabilities
In 2024, the employment rate for individuals with disabilities aged 15 and over was 47.1 per cent, compared to 66.9 per cent for those without disabilities, according to data from Statistics Canada (StatCan). Among men aged 15 and over with disabilities, the employment rate decreased from 49.1 per cent in 2023 to 46.9 per cent in 2024.
Younger individuals with disabilities faced even greater challenges. The employment rate for young men aged 15 to 24 with disabilities dropped by 7.7 percentage points to 39.7 per cent in 2024. Similarly, the employment rate for young women with disabilities decreased by 6.5 percentage points to 49.2 per cent.
Also, as of 2024, Canadian workers with disabilities continue to face a significant earnings gap compared to their non-disabled counterparts. According to StatCan’s data, the average hourly wage for employees with disabilities was $2.22 less than that of employees without disabilities, an increase from the $1.91 gap reported in 2023. This widening disparity is attributed to slower wage growth among employees with disabilities.
Also, women with disabilities face a disproportionate challenge in the workplace: more of them need accommodations, yet fewer get the support they ask for, according to a previous report.
