HOME > ABOUT THE CANADA DISABILITY BENEFIT > DO I QUALIFY FOR THE CANADA DISABILITY BENEFIT?

Do I Qualify for the Canada Disability Benefit?

To qualify for the CDB, you must:

  • be between the ages of 18 and 64,

    • eligibility begins the month that you turn 18 and ends the month that you turn 65

  • be currently approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC),

  • have filed an income tax return for the previous tax year,

  • be a resident of Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act,

  • be a resident of Canada, which means you must be one of the following:

    • a Canadian citizen,

    • a permanent resident,

    • a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the 18 months preceding that month,

    • a protected person,

    • a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the past 18 months, or

    • someone who is registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act, and

  • not currently be serving a prison sentence of two years or more in a federal penitentiary.

If you are married or in a common-law relationship, your spouse or common-law partner is also required to file an Income Tax Return and Benefit Return with the Canada Revenue Agency for the tax year that ended before the payment period starts. In some cases, you can ask Service Canada to waive the requirement.

For more information on the eligibility requirements see the Canada Gazette.

A representative can take the following actions on behalf of a beneficiary (the person approved to receive the benefit):

  • complete the benefit application,

  • request a reconsideration of a decision, and

  • appeal a decision.

An authorized legal representative, such as a guardian or trustee, is only needed to receive benefit payments on behalf of a beneficiary. Payments may only be directed to someone’s authorized legal representative in situations where such a person has already been appointed in accordance with federal, provincial, or territorial law.