Canada has taken an important step toward supporting people with disabilities through the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). This federal program aims to provide financial help to low-income Canadians living with disabilities. But what does this mean for immigrants with disabilities? How can they benefit, and what should they know before applying? In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about the Canada Disability Benefit and how it affects immigrants living in Canada.
The Canada Disability Benefit is a new government program launched in 2025. It provides monthly payments of up to $200 to eligible individuals aged 18 to 64 who have disabilities and meet income requirements.
The goal of this benefit is to improve financial security and independence for people with disabilities. The program is part of Canada’s broader Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which focuses on making society more inclusive and accessible.
The benefit is designed for Canadians living with disabilities who have a low income. Importantly, it’s open not just to Canadian citizens, but also to permanent residents and certain temporary residents who meet the eligibility rules.
The income thresholds are important. Single individuals earning under about $23,000 per year (or $33,000 with employment income) can receive the full benefit. For couples, the limits are higher. The benefit reduces gradually for incomes above these amounts and ends at around $45,000 for singles.
Many immigrants with disabilities face financial challenges. They may find it harder to get steady work, face language or cultural barriers, or have trouble accessing services. The Canada Disability Benefit provides extra monthly money that can help with:
This direct cash support can make a big difference in reducing stress and improving quality of life.
Unlike many other federal benefits, the CDB is open to permanent residents and some temporary residents who meet all criteria. This inclusivity is important because many newcomers may have disabilities but don’t have Canadian citizenship yet.
For example, a permanent resident who has lived in Canada for years but has a disability can apply for this benefit. Similarly, certain temporary residents with valid work or study permits may also qualify.
This makes the CDB one of the few programs designed to help immigrants directly with disabilities.
The CDB is not meant to replace existing programs but to work alongside them. Immigrants may already be eligible for provincial or territorial disability support, healthcare benefits, or employment services.
The CDB adds a federal layer of financial help that can top up what is already available. This extra money can help fill gaps and cover costs not included in other programs.
To get the CDB, applicants must first qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). This is a key step because the government uses DTC approval to verify disability status.
If you already have the DTC approval, you may get an invitation letter from the government to apply for the CDB.
Applicants who miss the June 30, 2025 deadline can still apply later. The program offers retroactive payments for up to two years, starting from July 2025.
This means you won’t lose out on money if you apply late, but it’s better to apply early to get support sooner.
Service Canada and many community organizations offer help with filling out forms and understanding the process. They provide services in multiple languages to help newcomers and immigrants with limited English or French.
Immigrants must prove they are residents of Canada for tax purposes. This can sometimes be complicated for newcomers or temporary residents, so it’s best to keep good records of your time living and working in Canada.
Many immigrant-serving organizations and disability advocacy groups offer free help with DTC and CDB applications. They can guide you through the medical forms, tax filings, and benefit applications.
The Canada Disability Benefit is part of a larger shift toward inclusion. Canada recognizes that people with disabilities, including immigrants, face unique barriers. By providing targeted financial support, the government hopes to create a more accessible and fair society.
For immigrants, this benefit is a positive sign that Canada values diversity and wants to support all residents, regardless of citizenship status or background.
Imagine being an immigrant with a disability, facing high costs for healthcare and daily living. The CDB offers $200 a month, which might seem small, but it adds up — $2,400 a year that can help pay for medicines, transportation, or special equipment.
For many, this extra income can:
The Canada Disability Benefit is a landmark program that provides monthly financial help to people with disabilities, including immigrants who meet eligibility requirements. It supports permanent and certain temporary residents, making it one of the most inclusive federal disability benefits in Canadian history.
To apply, immigrants must first get approved for the Disability Tax Credit and file their taxes. The benefit can help cover costs related to living with a disability and improve quality of life.
By welcoming immigrants with disabilities into this program, Canada takes a big step toward true inclusion and support for all its residents.
Read More: Canada Disability Benefit 2025: Everything You Need To Know Before You Apply
Having an 'Identity Verified' badge or being 'Identity Verified' simply indicates that an individual has submitted information to complete our identity verification process or we have conducted internal verification using various authorized websites. While this process includes safeguards, it does not guarantee that the person is who they claim to be.
If you encounter any issues with this profile, please report them here. While all consultants who are verified have RCIC ID, we may not have the latest data in terms of their renewal/cancellation/discontinuation of their RCIC ID.
The "Verified Consultants" profiles are created using publicly available information, including data from the IRCC website, official consultant sites, other listing platforms, and social media. Immiperts.com is an independent platform, not affiliated with IRCC or any registered immigration consultants. To update, claim, or remove your profile, please contact us at [email protected].
╳
