Eligible Canadians receiving the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) will receive a one-time additional payment of $150, aimed at helping cover some of the costs associated with applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
The federal government is scheduled to begin issuing the payments on September 17, 2026. Employment and Families Minister Patti Hajdu said the government is working to reduce barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from accessing the support they are entitled to.
Who Is Eligible for the $150 Payment?
The additional payment will be provided for each approved DTC certificate that qualifies the individual for the Canada Disability Benefit.
This includes:
- People who received the Canada Disability Benefit for a full benefit period in a single payment.
- Current or former CDB recipients.
- People who received a single payment but later became ineligible for the program.
Recipients do not need to submit a separate application for the $150 payment. The payment will be issued automatically based on the date they became eligible for the Canada Disability Benefit.
When Will the Payment Arrive?
People who became eligible for the program between July 2025 and July 2026 will receive the additional payment on September 17, 2026.
Those who became eligible after July 2026 will receive the payment in early 2027.
The same timeline applies to individuals who receive a new and approved Disability Tax Credit certificate.
Criticism and Delays Affecting the Program
The federal government launched the Canada Disability Benefit last year to provide additional financial support to Canadians with disabilities. However, the program has faced criticism since its introduction.
Among the main concerns have been payment delays and lengthy application processing times, as well as difficulties some applicants have experienced in obtaining the Disability Tax Credit, which is one of the key eligibility requirements for the benefit.
Previously, the Canada Disability Benefit contact centre attributed some delays to a system issue. Disability rights advocates have also criticized the requirement to obtain DTC approval, arguing that it can create an additional barrier for some people who need financial assistance.
Despite the importance of the program, advocates say the government still needs to simplify the application process, speed up processing times and remove barriers that prevent eligible Canadians from accessing the benefit.
