The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is for people with disabilities aged 18 to 64. Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements can apply online, whether or not they received an invitation letter. Applicants with a letter need the 6-digit application code printed on it, while applicants without one provide different details, as shown below.
Who can receive the Canada Disability Benefit?
Eligibility is limited to people aged 18 to 64 who have a disability and who meet the other eligibility requirements listed on the Government of Canada CDB page. Applicants must also provide their legal status in Canada when they apply. The program is not restricted to people who received an invitation letter: as of January 11, 2026, more than 425,000 potential beneficiaries had received a letter, and people who did not receive one can still apply.
The information you need depends on your situation:
| Applicant situation | Information required |
|---|---|
| Received an invitation letter | 6-digit application code from the letter, SIN, legal status in Canada. Direct deposit details are optional. |
| No invitation letter | SIN, mailing address, legal status in Canada. Line 23600 net income from the 2024 notice of assessment is optional and can speed up processing. |
| Legal representative applying for someone else | Proof of legal authority (court order, guardianship certificate or power of attorney), plus a copy of both sides of the representative’s own valid government-issued ID. |
A legal representative can apply for a person who cannot do so alone, but must prove their authority before the application is processed.
A related change concerns people who hold the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Budget 2025 announced a one-time $150 supplemental payment for each DTC certification or re-certification that creates CDB entitlement. It was expected to be paid before the end of fiscal 2026-27, pending amendments to the regulations.
How to apply in 2026
The online application is the fastest route for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which is open to people with disabilities aged 18 to 64 who meet the eligibility requirements. The Government of Canada states that everyone who meets them can now apply online. Four channels are available, and the right one depends on your access to the internet and on whether you received an invitation letter.
Application channels
| Channel | How it works |
|---|---|
| Online | Recommended by the government as faster |
| Phone | Available, including TTY and video relay service |
| In person | At a Service Canada office |
| Printed form | Form CDB0004, or CDB0005 for legal representatives. Drop it off at a Service Canada office or mail it to Service Canada Centre, CDB Processing Centre, P.O. Box 60, Boucherville, QC J4B 5E6 |
Information to prepare
The details you need depend on whether you received an invitation letter.
| Your situation | Information required |
|---|---|
| Invitation letter received | 6-digit application code from the letter, SIN, legal status in Canada |
| No invitation letter | SIN, mailing address, legal status in Canada |
Direct deposit details are optional for both groups. Applicants without a letter may also provide the line 23600 net income from their 2024 notice of assessment, which can speed up processing.
Applications submitted by a legal representative
A legal representative must supply proof of legal authority, such as a court order, a guardianship certificate or a power of attorney. They must also provide a copy of both sides of their own valid government-issued ID. Representatives who use the printed route submit form CDB0005 instead of CDB0004.
What documents to prepare before you start
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is for people aged 18 to 64 who meet the eligibility requirements. Before you start, confirm your age and gather the items the application requires. The list depends on whether you received an invitation letter, because that letter determines which identifiers you enter.
If you received an invitation letter
Your letter contains a 6-digit application code, which you must enter. Also have ready:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Your legal status in Canada
- Direct deposit details (optional)
If you did not receive a letter
People without a letter can still apply. Prepare:
- Your SIN
- Your mailing address
- Your legal status in Canada
You can also provide line 23600 (net income) from your 2024 notice of assessment. Doing so can speed up processing.
If you apply as a legal representative
You must prove your legal authority to act for the applicant. Accepted proof includes:
- A court order
- A guardianship certificate
- A power of attorney
You also need a copy of both sides of your own valid government-issued ID.
If you use a printed form
Use form CDB0004, or CDB0005 for legal representatives. Drop the completed form at a Service Canada office, or mail it to Service Canada Centre, CDB Processing Centre, P.O. Box 60, Boucherville, QC J4B 5E6.
How much and when: amount and payment dates
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) pays up to $200 per month, or $2,400 per year, for July 2025 to June 2026. Payments started in July 2025. If your application is approved, your first payment is made on the third Thursday of the month after approval and includes any back payments.
| Item | Figure | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum monthly benefit | $200 | July 2025 to June 2026 |
| Maximum yearly benefit | $2,400 | July 2025 to June 2026 |
| Back payment window | Up to 24 months | Counted from the application date, and no earlier than June 2025 |
| One-time supplemental payment | $150 | Per Disability Tax Credit certification or re-certification that creates CDB entitlement |
Payment schedule
The first payment is made on the third Thursday of the month after approval. To estimate the date, count three Thursdays from the first day of that month. The first payment also includes any back payments owed since the application date.
Amount adjustments
Inflation adjustments began in July 2026. Check the current monthly amount on the Service Canada CDB page before you plan your budget.
Supplemental payment
Budget 2025 announced a $150 supplemental payment for each Disability Tax Credit certification or re-certification that creates CDB entitlement. It was expected to be paid before the end of fiscal 2026-27, pending amendments to the regulations. The source does not give an exact payment date for it.
What to do if you did not receive an invitation letter
You can still apply for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) without a letter. The program is for people with disabilities aged 18 to 64 who meet the eligibility requirements. Letter holders use the application code printed on their letter, while applicants without one provide different information, as shown below.
| Item | With invitation letter | Without invitation letter |
|---|---|---|
| 6-digit application code | Required | Not needed |
| Social Insurance Number (SIN) | Required | Required |
| Legal status in Canada | Required | Required |
| Mailing address | Not listed as required | Required |
| Direct deposit details | Optional | Not listed |
| Line 23600 net income (2024 notice of assessment) | Not listed | Optional, speeds up processing |
To apply without a letter, follow these steps:
- Choose a channel. Online is recommended as faster. You can also apply by phone (including TTY and video relay), in person at a Service Canada office, or with a printed form.
- Gather your information. Have your SIN, mailing address and legal status in Canada ready.
- Add line 23600 if you can. Entering the net income from line 23600 of your 2024 notice of assessment is optional, but it can speed up processing.
- For a printed form, use CDB0004 (CDB0005 for legal representatives). You can drop it off at a Service Canada office or mail it to: Service Canada Centre, CDB Processing Centre, P.O. Box 60, Boucherville, QC J4B 5E6.
If you apply on behalf of someone else, you must be their legal representative. You need to provide proof of legal authority, such as a court order, a guardianship certificate or a power of attorney, plus a copy of both sides of your own valid government-issued ID.
Back Payments and the One-Time $150 Supplemental Payment
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) can include back payments for months before your approval. Back payments can cover up to 24 months from the date your application is received, and never go earlier than June 2025, the month the program launched. They are paid with your first CDB payment, which is made on the third Thursday of the month after approval. A separate one-time $150 supplemental payment was announced in Budget 2025 for people whose Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certification or re-certification creates CDB entitlement.
| Item | Back payments | One-time $150 supplemental payment |
|---|---|---|
| Who it covers | Approved applicants, for the period from the date the application is received | Each DTC certification or re-certification that creates CDB entitlement |
| Period or limit | Up to 24 months from the application date, no earlier than June 2025 | One payment per qualifying certification or re-certification |
| When it is paid | With the first payment, on the third Thursday of the month after approval | Expected before the end of fiscal 2026-27, pending amendments to the regulations |
| Status in source | Stated as in effect | Announced; depends on regulatory amendments |
To check your position, compare the date your application was received with your approval date. Back payments are counted from the date your application is received, so compare that date with your approval date, and confirm the amount with Service Canada. Keep your application confirmation and your approval letter, since they show the dates Service Canada used.
Bill C-15, introduced on November 18, 2025, would exempt the benefit from income under the Income Tax Act. This proposal is not yet law according to the source, so check the current status before you plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an invitation letter to apply?
No. Applicants without a letter can still apply online, by phone, in person or with a printed form, but they must provide their SIN, a mailing address and their legal status in Canada. Their 2024 notice of assessment (line 23600 net income) is optional and can speed up processing.
How soon will I be paid after applying?
If you are approved, payments start the month after your application is received, and the first one arrives on the third Thursday of the month after approval. That first payment also includes back payments, which can cover up to 24 months from the date your application was received, but never earlier than June 2025.
What do I need to submit if I am applying for someone else?
A legal representative must submit proof of legal authority, such as a court order, a guardianship certificate or a power of attorney. They must also include a copy of both sides of their own valid government-issued ID. For a printed application, the representative uses form CDB0005 instead of CDB0004.
