Child Disability Benefit
Tax-free monthly payment for families
Key Facts
- Amount: Up to $3,411/year ($284.25/month) per eligible child for the 2025-2026 benefit year
- Tax-free: You don't pay income tax on this benefit
- Age: Child must be under 18
- Requirement: Child must be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
- How it works: Added automatically to your Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments
Who Qualifies
Your child qualifies if:
- They are under 18 years old
- They have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit
- You are the primary caregiver receiving the Canada Child Benefit
- You file your tax return each year (CRA uses your income to calculate the amount)
How Much You Get
The full amount is $3,411/year per child. The actual amount depends on your family net income. It starts to be reduced when your adjusted family net income exceeds certain thresholds. Lower-income families receive the full amount.
This is paid on top of the regular Canada Child Benefit, which can be up to $7,997/year per child under 6 and $6,748/year per child aged 6-17.
How to Get It
- Get your child's DTC approved.This is the critical first step. You'll need to complete Form T2201 with your child's medical practitioner. See our DTC guide for details.
- File your taxes.CRA calculates the benefit based on your previous year's tax return. Both you and your spouse/partner need to file.
- You don't need to apply separately.Once the DTC is approved and you're receiving the Canada Child Benefit, the Child Disability Benefit is added automatically.
Important Notes
- Back payments:If your child's DTC is approved retroactively, you may receive back payments for up to 10 years.
- Shared custody: If you share custody, each parent may receive 50% of the benefit.
- 40% of DTC applications are denied— often because of how the form is worded, not because the child doesn't qualify. Getting help with the application can make a big difference.
Related Benefits
Once your child has the DTC, they also unlock:
- RDSP — Start saving for your child's future with government matching up to $3,500/year
- Canada Disability Benefit — Your child can apply when they turn 18
- DTC supplement — Additional $5,914 tax credit for children under 18