Canada Disability Benefit: Autism Eligibility Guide
Direct answer
The Canada Disability Benefit provides up to $204.20 a month (July 2026 to June 2027) to Canadians aged 18-64 with an approved Disability Tax Credit and low to modest incomes. You also need a filed tax return and an application to Service Canada. The amount is based on family income from your tax return. Payments began July 2025.
- Eligible Ages
- 18-64
Key facts
- Maximum
- $204.20 a month (Jul 2026-Jun 2027)
- Eligible Ages
- 18-64
- Requires
- DTC + tax filing
- Application
- Apply to Service Canada
What this means for your family
Get your Disability Tax Credit approved first, since nothing else about this benefit moves until that piece is in place. File your taxes every year even when your income is very low, because you must file your return by April 30 each year to keep getting payments. Watch your mail for the letter Service Canada sends each June confirming your eligibility and payment amount, since the benefit is income-tested and full payments go only to the lowest-income recipients. If you also receive ODSP, keep a record of both payment amounts each month so you can flag it quickly with the ministry if a clawback shows up, since Ontario recipients are expected to receive the full federal amount without a reduction. Update your address and direct deposit details with Service Canada, and your address with the CRA, whenever they change, so a payment does not go missing after it is approved.
The numbers behind this answer
Every answer on this site sits on the same verified counts. These are the current figures.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Show as table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
About This Article
Published:
Last updated:
Eligibility for Autistic Adults
- The CDB is available to Canadian residents aged 18-64 with an approved Disability Tax Credit. Autistic adults may qualify for the DTC if a medical practitioner certifies that an impairment in physical or mental functions is severe and prolonged and results in a marked restriction. The DTC is based on the effects of an impairment, not on a diagnosis.
- The benefit is income-tested. Full payments go to the lowest-income recipients, with reductions at higher income levels. ODSP recipients in Ontario are expected to receive the full amount without clawback.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if they have an approved Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and are aged 18-64. The DTC is based on how an impairment affects daily life, not on a diagnosis. You must also file your taxes each year and apply to Service Canada for the CDB.
Up to $204.20 a month from July 2026 to June 2027 (it was $200 a month from July 2025 to June 2026). The exact amount depends on your income level - lower-income recipients receive the maximum. Benefits are paid monthly, on the third Thursday of each month.
Ontario has committed to not reducing ODSP payments for CDB recipients. The CDB should be additional income on top of ODSP. ODSP policy lists the CDB as exempt income.
Sources
ESDC
Canada Disability Benefit Regulations (2025)
Next steps
Keep going with related guidance, tools, and evidence.
Related questions
Canada Disability Benefit: What Autism Families Need to Know
The new federal Canada Disability Benefit provides up to about 200 dollars each month for DTC-eligible adults. Learn eligibility, timeline, and impact for autistic Canadians.
Can You Combine the Disability Tax Credit with OAP Funding?
You can combine the DTC and OAP funding: they use separate eligibility rules, and neither program's rules exclude the other.
What Happens to Autism Funding at 18 in Ontario?
Children age out of OAP at 18 with no automatic transfer to adult services. Learn about the transition gap, Passport, ODSP, and planning ahead.
About this page
Check the author’s context, review method, and how to report an error.