Canada Disability Benefit payments go out Jan. 15, check your account
Eligible Canadians with disabilities should check their accounts on Thursday, Jan. 15 for Canada Disability Benefit payments. You can still apply online.
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By Torontoer Staff
Some Canadians with disabilities should see Canada Disability Benefit payments arrive on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. The federal program provides monthly financial assistance to people aged 18 to 64 who qualify.
Applications opened in June 2025 and remain open. If your application is approved, payments begin the month after approval, with the first payment issued on the third Thursday of the following month.
Who is eligible for the Canada Disability Benefit
Eligibility rules combine residency status, age, and disability verification. Service Canada sent invitation letters with a six-digit code to many people who appear eligible, but you can apply without a letter.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or an individual registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act
- Be a temporary resident who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months
- Be between 18 and 64 years old
- Have approval for the Disability Tax Credit, or meet the CDB’s medical criteria
- If you have a spouse or common-law partner, both of you must have filed 2024 federal income tax returns before applying
How to apply and when payments start
You can apply online through the government site. Invitations from Service Canada include a unique code and application instructions, but the code is not required to start an application. If approved, payments begin the month after approval.
If eligible, your first payment will be on the third Thursday of the month following your approval.
Service Canada
Payments can be issued retroactively for up to 24 months from the date your application is received, but retroactivity does not apply to months before June 2025. Check your approval notice to confirm the exact start date and any retroactive amount.
How much the benefit pays
Benefit amounts depend on household net income. For the benefit year running July 2025 to June 2026, the maximum CDB total is $2,400, equal to $200 per month. Payments are indexed annually for inflation.
The Canada Revenue Agency’s indexation for 2026 will increase benefit amounts in July 2026, with the agency listing a maximum of $3,480 for 2026 compared with $3,411 in 2025. Check Service Canada materials for how indexation will affect individual payments.
The Disability Tax Credit and medical criteria
Many applicants will qualify through an existing Disability Tax Credit approval. The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that requires certification from a medical practitioner. It recognises marked restrictions in daily activities or the need for life-sustaining therapy.
- Walking
- Mental functions necessary for everyday life
- Dressing
- Feeding
- Eliminating, including bowel or bladder functions
- Hearing
- Speaking
- Vision
- Requirement for life-sustaining therapy
If you have not applied for the DTC but believe you meet its medical criteria, discuss documentation with your health practitioner. DTC approval is handled through the Canada Revenue Agency and can be used to support a CDB application.
What to do now
- Check your bank account on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 if you have applied and expect a payment
- Apply for the CDB online if you have not yet applied
- If you have a spouse or partner, ensure both of you filed 2024 tax returns
- If needed, apply for or check the status of the Disability Tax Credit with the CRA
- Keep your contact and direct deposit information updated with Service Canada
For detailed eligibility questions, timelines, or to start an application, use the government’s CDB pages or contact Service Canada directly. Processing times and payment dates are set by the department.
The Canada Disability Benefit aims to provide predictable monthly support for eligible adults living with disabilities. If you think you qualify, apply and confirm your tax and banking details to ensure timely payments.
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