Federal Disability Programs — Quick Reference
A fast lookup of Canada’s main federal disability programs. All figures are sourced from official Canada.ca pages and are current as of October 7, 2026. Amounts and thresholds are indexed and change yearly — confirm on the linked source before relying on a number.
At a glance
| Program | Type | 2025–2026 key figure | Core eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPP Disability (CPP-D) | Monthly taxable pension | Max $1,741.20/mo (2026); avg $1,236.32/mo (Jul 2026) | Under 65; severe & prolonged disability; enough CPP contributions |
| Disability Tax Credit (DTC) | Non-refundable tax credit | $10,138 (2025, line 31600); child supplement $5,914 | Severe & prolonged impairment, practitioner-certified (T2201) |
| Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) | Monthly income-tested benefit | Max $200/mo (Jul2025–Jun2026); $204.20/mo (Jul2026–Jun2027) | Ages 18–64; DTC approved; tax return filed |
| RDSP | Long-term savings + grants/bonds | Grant ≤ $3,500/yr (life $70k); Bond ≤ $1,000/yr (life $20k) | DTC approved; under 60 to open |
| Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) | Federal tribunal | Adjudicates under Canadian Human Rights Act | Federally regulated areas; complaint filed with CHRC first |
The DTC is the hinge: DTC approval unlocks the RDSP and the CDB. Apply for it first.
CPP Disability (CPP-D)
- Source: Canada.ca — CPP disability benefits
- Eligibility: over 18 and under 65; a severe and prolonged disability that prevents substantially working and is long-term; sufficient CPP contributions.
- Amounts: 2026 maximum $1,741.20/month; July 2026 average $1,236.32/month.
- Apply: My Service Canada Account (application + medical report). Reconsideration → Social Security Tribunal.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
- Source: Canada.ca — Disability tax credit
- What it is: non-refundable federal tax credit; reduces tax owed; gateway to RDSP and CDB.
- 2025 amounts: disability amount $10,138 (line 31600); supplement for child under 18 $5,914. Indexed annually.
- Apply: Form T2201, certified by a practitioner; digital or mail (since July 14, 2025 you can no longer upload via CRA “submit documents”).
Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
- Source: Canada.ca — Canada Disability Benefit · Amount
- Launched: first eligibility June 2025; payments began July 2025.
- Eligibility: ages 18–64; DTC approved; federal tax return filed (you + spouse if any).
- Maximum monthly: $200.00 (Jul 2025–Jun 2026, from 2024 return); $204.20 (Jul 2026–Jun 2027, from 2025 return). Income-tested; working-income exemption ($10,000 single / $14,000 couple for 2025–26). Back payments up to 24 months.
- Supplemental: one-time $150 payment (Fall 2026) toward DTC costs; no separate application.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
- Source: Canada.ca — RDSP · Grants & bonds
- Requires: DTC approval.
- Grant: max $3,500/yr, life $70,000; matching $3:$1 (first $500) then $2:$1 (next $1,000) — contribute $1,500/yr for the max. Paid to Dec 31 of year beneficiary turns 49.
- Bond: max $1,000/yr, life $20,000; no contribution needed; low/modest income.
- Lifetime contribution limit: $200,000.
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT)
- Source: chrt-tcdp.gc.ca · Process guide · Decisions
- Role: adjudicates under the Canadian Human Rights Act in federally regulated areas.
- Path: file complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) first → investigation/conciliation → possible referral to CHRT for hearing.
- 2026 stats: ~280 active files; 117 decisions/rulings issued.
Related
- Guide: Federal Disability Benefits & the CHRT
- Guide: Human Rights Tribunals in Canada
- Knowledge Base: Human rights & disability law in Canada
Legal information, not legal advice. Verify current figures on the official source pages.