$3,322.16 per eligible child
Maximum annual CDB (2025-2026)
Canada Revenue Agency — Canada Child Benefit
$75,537 adjusted family net income
CDB clawback income threshold
Canada Revenue Agency — CCB calculation
Up to 10 years
Maximum retroactive DTC/CDB claim
Canada Revenue Agency — T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate
$3,500 per year (up to $70,000 lifetime)
Maximum Canada Disability Savings Grant
Government of Canada — RDSP
If your child was diagnosed with autism years ago but you never applied for the DTC, you can file retroactively. The CRA allows DTC applications to be backdated up to 10 years. If approved, the CDB is recalculated for all eligible years.
Retroactive CDB payments can be substantial. A family that missed 5 years of maximum CDB could receive over $16,000 in a lump sum. The payment is tax-free and does not affect other benefits.
To claim retroactively, submit Form T2201 with the DTC application. Indicate the year the disability began. The CRA will reassess your past tax returns and issue any owed CDB payments.
CDB payments decrease as family net income rises above the threshold. For the 2025-2026 benefit year, the clawback begins at $75,537 in adjusted family net income. Each dollar above the threshold reduces the CDB.
Income splitting strategies can help keep family net income below the clawback threshold. Spousal RRSP contributions, pension income splitting, and business income allocation are common approaches. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
RRSP contributions reduce net income dollar-for-dollar. A family with income just above the clawback threshold can contribute to RRSPs to reduce net income and preserve CDB payments. The tax savings compound with the benefit preservation.
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a separate program but works alongside the CDB. Children approved for the DTC are eligible for the RDSP. The federal government matches RDSP contributions through the Canada Disability Savings Grant.
CDB payments can be deposited directly into an RDSP. This creates a powerful savings loop: tax-free CDB funds grow tax-sheltered in the RDSP. The government matches contributions up to $3,500 per year through the Grant.
Even families with zero income receive the Canada Disability Savings Bond of up to $1,000 per year in the RDSP. No personal contributions are required for the Bond. This makes the RDSP valuable for all income levels.
Canada Revenue Agency
Canada Child Benefit and CDB calculation tables (canada.ca/child-benefit)
Government of Canada
Registered Disability Savings Plan — Grants and Bonds (canada.ca/rdsp)
Disclaimer:This page provides general information, not financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor familiar with disability planning for decisions specific to your family's situation.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Verified Facts
$200/month, The Canada Disability Benefit provides up to for eligible Canadians with disabilities
88,175, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
1 in 50, According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
23.4%, Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement