How does the RDSP work for autism?
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) allows long-term saving with generous government matching (up to 300% grants). Low-income families can receive up to $1,000/year in bonds without contributing. Withdrawals effectively begin at age 60, making it a powerful retirement security tool.
Source: Government of Canada RDSPComplete guide to the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) for Ontario autism families. Learn eligibility, how to apply, benefit amounts, and how it interacts with ODSP and OAP.
Annual benefit amount
Eligibility range
No benefit reduction
Applications Now Open
The Canada Disability Benefit launched June 20, 2025. Ontario has confirmed the CDB will be exempt from ODSP income calculations.
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a new federal income support for working-age adults with disabilities. Enacted as part of Budget 2024 and launched in June 2025, it provides monthly payments to eligible Canadians with disabilities who have low income.
What the CDB Is:
What the CDB Is NOT:
Important dates and updates for the Canada Disability Benefit
Applications Officially Open — The Government of Canada began accepting applications for the Canada Disability Benefit through Service Canada.
First Payments Issued — First CDB payments were issued to eligible applicants who were approved by June 30, 2025.
Ontario Confirms ODSP Exemption — The Ontario government announced that CDB payments will be exempt as income for ODSP recipients, meaning no reduction in provincial benefits.
Annual Indexing Review — Benefit amounts will be reviewed and adjusted for inflation for the 2026-2027 benefit year.
The Canada Disability Benefit is a new program and details may continue to evolve. This page is updated regularly as new information becomes available. Last updated: February 22, 2026. For the most current official information, visit canada.ca/disability-benefit.
Who qualifies for the Canada Disability Benefit
You must be between 18 and 64 years old. This benefit is specifically for working-age adults with disabilities. Those 65 and older may be eligible for other benefits like Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
You must already be approved for the Disability Tax Credit. This is a mandatory prerequisite. The DTC is a CRA program that provides tax relief for people with severe and prolonged disabilities. Autism spectrum disorder qualifies as a disability for DTC purposes.
Don't have DTC approval?
You must first complete form T2201 and have it certified by a medical practitioner. Submit to the CRA and wait for approval before applying for the CDB.
The CDB is income-tested. You must have low income below the program thresholds. Income exemptions apply:
You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes. Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status, or protected person status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is required.
Autism spectrum disorder qualifies as a disability for DTC purposes. However, you must demonstrate that the effects of autism significantly restrict your ability to perform daily living activities. The DTC requires that the restriction be present all or substantially all of the time (at least 90% of the time) and be expected to last for at least 12 months. Many autistic adults successfully qualify for the DTC and subsequently the CDB.
CDB payment amounts and income thresholds (July 2025 - June 2026)
Maximum Benefit
$2,400 annually for eligible recipients with very low income
Single Exemption
Annual working income exempt from benefit reduction for single individuals
Couple Exemption
Annual combined income exempt for those with a spouse or common-law partner
Inflation Adjustment
Benefit amounts indexed to inflation and adjusted each year
The CDB uses an income-tested model where benefits are reduced as income rises above the exemption thresholds:
Step-by-step application process
Prerequisite: You must already be approved for the Disability Tax Credit before applying for the CDB. If you don't have DTC approval, you must apply for it first using Form T2201.
Need to apply for DTC first?
Complete Form T2201 with your medical practitioner, submit to the CRA, and wait for approval before applying for the CDB. DTC processing can take 8+ weeks.
You must have filed your most recent tax return. The CDB uses income information from your tax return to determine eligibility and benefit amount. Ensure your taxes are filed before applying.
You can apply for the CDB using any of the following methods:
Online (Recommended)
Fastest method at canada.ca/disability-benefit
By Phone
Call Service Canada: 1-833-486-3007
In Person or By Mail
Visit any Service Canada office or mail a paper application
Provide all required information including your Social Insurance Number (SIN), DTC approval information, and personal details. Have your tax information and DTC confirmation letter available.
Submit your completed application. Processing times vary but are generally 4-8 weeks. You will receive notification of approval or any required additional information.
Once approved, you will receive monthly CDB payments by direct deposit to your bank account. Payments are issued monthly and the amount is based on your income from your most recent tax return.
How the CDB affects ODSP, OAP, and other provincial programs
Good news: Ontario announced in May 2025 that the Canada Disability Benefit will be exempt as income for ODSP recipients.
What This Means for You:
The CDB is not expected to affect OAP eligibility or funding.
Key Points:
The Ontario government's exemption applies broadly to social assistance programs.
Programs Covered by Exemption:
Note: Rules for other provinces may vary. Check with your local provincial disability program for specific information.
Don't confuse the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) for adults with the Child Disability Benefit for children under 18. These are two different federal programs:
Canada Disability Benefit:
Child Disability Benefit:
Official Canada Disability Benefit Page
canada.ca/disability-benefit
Benefit Amounts and Income Thresholds
canada.ca - How much you could receive
Service Canada - CDB Applications
1-833-486-3007
By Spencer Louis • Founder, End The Wait Ontario • Last updated: February 22, 2026
Spencer Louis is a parent advocate who has navigated the Ontario autism system personally. He has been invited by the World Health Organization to provide testimony on Ontario's autism services failures. This guide is based on official Government of Canada sources and is updated as new information becomes available.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is independently verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: February 1, 2026.
How does the RDSP work for autism?
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) allows long-term saving with generous government matching (up to 300% grants). Low-income families can receive up to $1,000/year in bonds without contributing. Withdrawals effectively begin at age 60, making it a powerful retirement security tool.
Source: Government of Canada RDSPComplete guide to the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) for Ontario autism families. Learn eligibility, how to apply, benefit amounts, and how it interacts with ODSP and OAP.
Annual benefit amount
Eligibility range
No benefit reduction
Applications Now Open
The Canada Disability Benefit launched June 20, 2025. Ontario has confirmed the CDB will be exempt from ODSP income calculations.
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a new federal income support for working-age adults with disabilities. Enacted as part of Budget 2024 and launched in June 2025, it provides monthly payments to eligible Canadians with disabilities who have low income.
What the CDB Is:
What the CDB Is NOT:
Important dates and updates for the Canada Disability Benefit
Applications Officially Open — The Government of Canada began accepting applications for the Canada Disability Benefit through Service Canada.
First Payments Issued — First CDB payments were issued to eligible applicants who were approved by June 30, 2025.
Ontario Confirms ODSP Exemption — The Ontario government announced that CDB payments will be exempt as income for ODSP recipients, meaning no reduction in provincial benefits.
Annual Indexing Review — Benefit amounts will be reviewed and adjusted for inflation for the 2026-2027 benefit year.
The Canada Disability Benefit is a new program and details may continue to evolve. This page is updated regularly as new information becomes available. Last updated: February 22, 2026. For the most current official information, visit canada.ca/disability-benefit.
Who qualifies for the Canada Disability Benefit
You must be between 18 and 64 years old. This benefit is specifically for working-age adults with disabilities. Those 65 and older may be eligible for other benefits like Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
You must already be approved for the Disability Tax Credit. This is a mandatory prerequisite. The DTC is a CRA program that provides tax relief for people with severe and prolonged disabilities. Autism spectrum disorder qualifies as a disability for DTC purposes.
Don't have DTC approval?
You must first complete form T2201 and have it certified by a medical practitioner. Submit to the CRA and wait for approval before applying for the CDB.
The CDB is income-tested. You must have low income below the program thresholds. Income exemptions apply:
You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes. Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status, or protected person status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is required.
Autism spectrum disorder qualifies as a disability for DTC purposes. However, you must demonstrate that the effects of autism significantly restrict your ability to perform daily living activities. The DTC requires that the restriction be present all or substantially all of the time (at least 90% of the time) and be expected to last for at least 12 months. Many autistic adults successfully qualify for the DTC and subsequently the CDB.
CDB payment amounts and income thresholds (July 2025 - June 2026)
Maximum Benefit
$2,400 annually for eligible recipients with very low income
Single Exemption
Annual working income exempt from benefit reduction for single individuals
Couple Exemption
Annual combined income exempt for those with a spouse or common-law partner
Inflation Adjustment
Benefit amounts indexed to inflation and adjusted each year
The CDB uses an income-tested model where benefits are reduced as income rises above the exemption thresholds:
Step-by-step application process
Prerequisite: You must already be approved for the Disability Tax Credit before applying for the CDB. If you don't have DTC approval, you must apply for it first using Form T2201.
Need to apply for DTC first?
Complete Form T2201 with your medical practitioner, submit to the CRA, and wait for approval before applying for the CDB. DTC processing can take 8+ weeks.
You must have filed your most recent tax return. The CDB uses income information from your tax return to determine eligibility and benefit amount. Ensure your taxes are filed before applying.
You can apply for the CDB using any of the following methods:
Online (Recommended)
Fastest method at canada.ca/disability-benefit
By Phone
Call Service Canada: 1-833-486-3007
In Person or By Mail
Visit any Service Canada office or mail a paper application
Provide all required information including your Social Insurance Number (SIN), DTC approval information, and personal details. Have your tax information and DTC confirmation letter available.
Submit your completed application. Processing times vary but are generally 4-8 weeks. You will receive notification of approval or any required additional information.
Once approved, you will receive monthly CDB payments by direct deposit to your bank account. Payments are issued monthly and the amount is based on your income from your most recent tax return.
How the CDB affects ODSP, OAP, and other provincial programs
Good news: Ontario announced in May 2025 that the Canada Disability Benefit will be exempt as income for ODSP recipients.
What This Means for You:
The CDB is not expected to affect OAP eligibility or funding.
Key Points:
The Ontario government's exemption applies broadly to social assistance programs.
Programs Covered by Exemption:
Note: Rules for other provinces may vary. Check with your local provincial disability program for specific information.
Don't confuse the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) for adults with the Child Disability Benefit for children under 18. These are two different federal programs:
Canada Disability Benefit:
Child Disability Benefit:
Official Canada Disability Benefit Page
canada.ca/disability-benefit
Benefit Amounts and Income Thresholds
canada.ca - How much you could receive
Service Canada - CDB Applications
1-833-486-3007
By Spencer Louis • Founder, End The Wait Ontario • Last updated: February 22, 2026
Spencer Louis is a parent advocate who has navigated the Ontario autism system personally. He has been invited by the World Health Organization to provide testimony on Ontario's autism services failures. This guide is based on official Government of Canada sources and is updated as new information becomes available.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is independently verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: February 1, 2026.