How to Apply for the Canada Disability Benefit

Steps in this guide

1. 1

   Confirm You Meet the Canada Disability Benefit Rules

   Service Canada lists these requirements. You must be 18 to 64 years old. Under 18, you can apply up to 6 months before your 18th birthday, but the application is not processed until you turn 18. You must have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit. You must be a Canadian resident for income tax purposes, and you and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one, must have filed your 2025 federal income tax return to receive payments. You must also be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act, a protected person, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months.

2. 2

   Get Disability Tax Credit Approval First

   DTC approval comes from the CRA and is a separate application. If you do not have it yet, follow the Disability Tax Credit guide on this site, which walks through Form T2201 and the CRA steps. For an autistic person, DTC eligibility is based on the effects of the impairment, not the diagnosis, and the CRA decides case by case. Check the CRA processing times page for current timelines.

3. 3

   File Your Income Tax Return

   The CDB is income-tested. Your benefit amount is based on your adjusted family net income from your tax return, and both you and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one, must have filed your federal income tax return to be eligible. If you are behind on filing, catch up before you apply.

4. 4

   Gather What Service Canada Asks For

   Some people receive a letter from Service Canada with a unique 6 digit application code. If you have one, you need the code, your Social Insurance Number, and your status in Canada. If you did not get a letter, you need your Social Insurance Number, mailing address and status in Canada. You may also want to provide your net income (line 23600) from your notice of assessment, which Service Canada says speeds up processing, and your direct deposit information.

5. 5

   Apply to Service Canada, Not Through a CRA Account

   You can apply online, which Service Canada recommends for a faster process, or by phone, including by teletypewriter (TTY) or video relay service. You can also visit a Service Canada office, or complete the printable application form and drop it off at an office or mail it to the CDB Processing Centre. The CDB is not applied for through your CRA account. If you notice an error after applying, contact Service Canada by phone or in person right away.

6. 6

   Applying for Someone Else as a Legal Representative

   A legal representative is a person or organization appointed by a legal document, such as a court-appointed guardian, trustee or committee, a protection mandate, or a Continuing or Springing Power of Attorney. Service Canada has a separate legal representative application form. You provide a copy of your proof of legal authority and a copy of both sides of your own government-issued identification, along with the applicant’s details. Service Canada also says you can ask someone you trust to help with your own application.

7. 7

   Understand How CDB Interacts with Provincial Benefits

   Ontario has announced a Canada Disability Benefit exemption for provincial disability recipients. Recheck Ontario policy before applying if the rule has changed since the 2025 announcement.