Disability benefits programs
Use the Disability Benefits Assessment Tool to review the disability benefits programs, check your eligibility, and learn how to apply.
Have you qualified for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)?
The DTC is required for the RDSP and most of the benefits programs on the site, so it is the first thing to check. Please indicate whether you have qualified for the Disability Tax Credit certificate.
You can proceed
DTC approval is a requirement for the following programs. You may be eligible for:
- Canada Disability Savings GrantUp to $70,000 in matching contributions.
- Canada Disability Savings BondUp to $20,000, with no deposits needed.
- Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)The account that holds the Grant and Bond.
- Disability AmountA $10,341 tax credit (2026), transferable to family.
- Child Disability BenefitUp to $290 a month for each eligible child.
- Canada Disability BenefitUp to $204.20 a month, ages 18 to 64.
- Home buying and accessibilityThe Home Buyers' Amount and Home Accessibility Tax Credit.
Next, use the assessment tool to see which programs you can collect, and how to apply.
Continue to the Assessment ToolThe Disability Tax Credit comes first
DTC approval is required before you can open an RDSP or collect the Disability Savings Bond and Grant, and for most of the other benefits programs. It is for people whose health condition has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.
What DTC approval can mean
You don't need an income to benefit. Benefits marked No income needed are paid even if you have little or no income.
| Benefit | Amount (2026) | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Tax refund for past years | Up to $40,000. The CRA can adjust up to 10 previous tax returns to apply the disability amount. | Once, when approvedRefunded once upon approval |
| Canada Disability Benefit No income needed | Up to $204.20 a month ($2,450.40 a year), for adults aged 18 to 64. | MonthlyPaid monthly |
| Child Disability Benefit No income needed | Up to $290 a month ($3,480 a year) for each eligible child, tax-free. | MonthlyPaid monthly |
| Disability amount (tax credit) | $10,341, plus up to $6,032 for a person under 18. Unused amounts can be transferred to a supporting family member. | AnnuallyTax credit, claimed annually |
| Home Accessibility Tax Credit | Claim up to $20,000 a year in eligible renovation costs, worth up to $2,800. | AnnuallyTax credit, claimed annually |
| Home Buyers' Amount | A credit on up to $10,000 (worth up to $1,400) when buying a more accessible home, even if it is not a first home. | When buying a homeTax credit, claimed when buying a home |
| Child care expense deduction | Deduct up to $11,000 a year in child care costs for a child eligible for the DTC, instead of $8,000 or $5,000. | AnnuallyDeduction, claimed annually |
| Canada Disability Savings Grant No income needed | Matches up to 300% of deposits: up to $3,500 a year, $70,000 in a lifetime. | AnnuallyPaid into the RDSP annually |
| Canada Disability Savings Bond No income needed | Up to $1,000 a year and $20,000 in a lifetime. No deposits needed. | AnnuallyPaid into the RDSP annually |
| Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) No income needed | The account that holds the Grant and Bond. Savings grow tax-sheltered, with up to $200,000 in personal contributions. | Ongoing |
| Canada Workers Benefit disability supplement | Up to $860 a year for lower-income workers. | AnnuallyPaid annually |
| Attendant care expenses | Claim up to $10,000 a year ($20,000 in the year of death) in attendant care as a medical expense, in addition to the disability amount. | AnnuallyClaimed annually as a medical expense |
| Qualified disability trust | Income in a trust for a person with the DTC can be taxed at lower, graduated rates. | AnnuallyLower tax, annually |
Federal amounts for 2026. Some depend on income and other rules. DTC approval also lowers your provincial or territorial income tax.
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit
The DTC Application Assistance Program helps you prepare a complete application from plain-language questions, including guidance for your medical practitioner, to give you the best opportunity for approval.
Apply for the DTC at dtcc.caNot sure? If you were approved, the CRA mailed you a letter confirming it (a Notice of Determination), and your approval also shows in CRA My Account.
Disability benefits programs
Several federal and provincial disability benefits programs are available to people living with long-term medical conditions. They include the following:
- Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)Monthly income payments
- Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)Free dental care
- Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB)Up to $20,000
- Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG)Up to $70,000
- Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D)Monthly income payments
- Guaranteed Access Program (GAP)One-time lump-sum payoutBC and Ontario only
- Disability AmountTransferable credit for annual refunds
Provincial benefits programs
For people who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), each province and territory also has its own programs.
The process
Collecting disability benefits takes four steps.
Eligibility
Find out whether you are eligible for each program. Every program has its own qualification criteria. You can check with the Disability Benefits Assessment Tool.
Confirmation
Receive confirmation of your eligibility. If you are not eligible, you will be told why and pointed to resources that may help, where available. Direct links to each program are provided.
Apply
If you are eligible, you must apply for each benefit. Some programs allow unclaimed amounts from previous eligible years to be collected retroactively.
Collect
Once you have applied and been approved, you can begin receiving the benefit. Some programs require you to reapply at set intervals to keep receiving it.
Please note: RDSP Canada does not collect any personal information. If you are eligible for a program, we give you a direct link to its official online application. This protects your privacy and keeps you secure while you explore these programs.
Fees
There are no fees to use this service. It is free for Canadians living with a prolonged medical condition.
Eligibility
To find out whether you are eligible to collect disability benefits, use the assessment tool below.
Disability Benefits Assessment ToolCheck which programs you may be eligible for, and how to apply.
Open the Assessment ToolPlease note: RDSP Canada does not ask for personal information such as your address, SIN, or date of birth. Always protect your privacy online.