Question Period Note: CANADA DISABILITY BENEFIT

Comment le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il géré le processus de présentation des demandes et les volumes du centre d’appels de la Prestation canadienne pour les personnes handicapées ?

The Government of Canada is focused on ensuring that persons with disabilities receive meaningful support through timely and reliable access to the benefit.

The Canada Disability Benefit is a key component of Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, representing a significant step in reducing poverty and improving financial security for working-age persons with disabilities. It is estimated to improve the financial well-being of over 600,000 low-income individuals, helping reduce poverty and promote inclusion.

Service Canada plays a vital role in the successful delivery of the Canada Disability Benefit. Canadians can apply on-line, by phone, by telewriter, through the Canada Video Relay Service, by mail, in person at a Service Canada Office or through a Community Outreach and Liaison Service.

IF PRESSED (PAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS)

In August 2025, a system issue resulted in a delay in payment for a limited number of Canada Disability Benefit recipients. The issue was caused by discrepancies in client bank account data received from Canada Revenue Agency.

Service Canada, in close collaboration with the Canada Revenue Agency, has taken immediate corrective action to address payment issues. Payments were reissued to affected clients within 3 business days from the time the issue was identified.

The department is actively working with Canada Revenue Agency to implement a permanent fix that ensures future data transfers meet formatting requirements, supporting stable and accurate Canadian Disability Benefit delivery.

IF PRESSED (BUDGET 2025)

Through Budget 2025, the government reaffirms its intention to lower barriers to access the Canada Disability Benefit by helping to offset the costs of applying for the Disability Tax Credit for Canada Disability Benefit recipients.

To that end, Budget 2025 proposes funding of $115.7 million over four years, beginning in 2026-27, and $10.1 million per year ongoing, including administrative costs, for a one-time supplemental Canada Disability Benefit payment of $150 in respect of each Disability Tax Credit certification, or re-certification, giving rise to a Canada Disability Benefit entitlement.

In addition, to help ensure Canada Disability Benefit recipients keep the full value of their benefits, Budget 2025 confirms the government’s intention to bring forward legislation to exempt the Canada Disability Benefit from being treated as income under the Income Tax Act.

The Canada Disability Benefit Act received Royal Assent on June 22, 2023, and came into force on June 22, 2024. The Act establishes the framework for the CDB and provides authority to make regulations to enable the benefit to be paid. The CDB Regulations, which set out key details of the benefit (including eligibility and amount), came into force on May 15, 2025.

Budget 2024 committed to an investment of $6.1 billion over six years beginning in 2024-25, and $1.4 billion ongoing for the CDB, to provide a maximum of $2,400 per year to low-income persons with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64.

In the spirit of “Nothing Without Us”, Canadians with disabilities, disability stakeholders, Indigenous governments and organizations, and provincial and territorial governments, were actively engaged in the design and development of the benefit and regulations.

Engagement with the disability community and other stakeholders has been on-going since 2021. Client-facing products such as the application and letters were tested with the disability community. Feedback from the testing was incorporated, to ensure that the CDB application process is as barrier-free as possible.

Following extensive consultations with persons with disabilities and the successful completion of the regulatory process, the Government of Canada began issuing payments to eligible Canadians in July 2025, as announced in Budget 2024.

The CDB is an important part of Canada’s social safety net, alongside Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Canada Child Benefit, and will further actions taken by the Government of Canada to ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities.

As of August 26, 2025, all files affected by the August CDB payment issues have been successfully processed, and payments have been reissued via direct deposit.

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) was launched on June 20, 2025, to provide direct financial support to low-income working-age persons with disabilities (aged 18 to 64). It is intended to supplement, not replace, existing supports.

As of November 9, 2025, over 400K potential beneficiaries received a letter inviting them to apply for the Benefit. Those who did not receive a letter can still apply.

The maximum benefit amount is $200 per month ($2,400 annually) for the first year (July 2025-June 2026) with annual inflation adjustments starting July 2026.

Since applications opened in June 2025, over 330K client decisions have been processed, and more than 218K clients have received payments. In total, $18 million was paid out in July, $39 million in August, $43 million in September and $54 million in October.

Eligible applicants may receive back payments for up to 24 months from the date Service Canada receives their application (excluding months prior to the June 2025 launch of the program).

The Canada Disability Benefit Call Centre continues to respond to high volumes, with over 179K calls answered since June 9, 2025, with an average wait time of approximately 10 minutes.
“The Canada Disability Benefit is a critical step forward in our work to improve financial security for working age persons with disabilities. Too many Canadians continue to face barriers that limit their full participation in our society and economy. This benefit is about dignity, justice, and creating a more inclusive Canada — one where everyone has the chance to thrive.”

–  Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities)

Budget 2025

“Mr. Speaker, what is remarkable about this budget is that it builds for the future but helps people today. This is a budget that cuts taxes for 22 million Canadians, saving families up to $800 a year. It makes the national school food program permanent, helping over half a million kids. It delivers automatic federal tax filing for five and a half million Canadians. It invests in housing, it invests in infrastructure and it lowers barriers to make the Canada disability benefit more accessible.”

– Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities)