HOME > FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Applications for the CDB are not currently open, but will open in June 2025. We will update our website as information on the application becomes available.

  • The CDB application process has not yet been outlined. It has been confirmed that Service Canada will be managing applications, and that the process will be flexible so that people can apply for the CDB any time during the year. Service Canada will be developing resources to help you apply for the CDB. Legal representatives can also apply on behalf of an applicant.

    Anticipated channels for applications include:

    • online applications,

    • paper applications,

    • in-person applications, and

    • phone applications. 

    All channels will undergo accessibility testing.

    Once you apply and are approved, you will not need to reapply unless you become ineligible, and then regain eligibility.

    Find out if you qualify for the CDB.

  • You will not be penalized if you have made an unintentional mistake or mistakenly applied for the CDB, believing you were eligible when you were not.

    However, you could face financial penalties if you:

    • knowingly make false or misleading representations in the application, or

    • apply and receive the benefit when you knew that you were not eligible to.

  • The government has the authority to recover debts and overpayments. This means that if you have received payments to which you were not entitled to, or if you were paid more than you should have been, you must return the payments as soon as possible.

  • You will need to reapply for the CDB if your circumstances change and you are notified that you no longer meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

    • eligibility for the DTC,

    • residency,

    • citizenship/immigration status,

    • incarceration status, and

    • tax filing requirements.

  • If you do not agree with the decision made about your CDB application, you can request a reconsideration. Reconsideration requests can be made related to ineligibility for the CDB, the benefit amount, and any monetary penalties. You must submit your reconsideration request within 180 days.

    If you disagree with a reconsideration decision, you can appeal it. More information about appeals can be found in the regulations.

  • Payments from the CDB do not count as income on your taxes.

    This means that the CDB will not reduce the amount that you receive from other federal benefits. However, it may reduce your provincial or territorial benefits depending on what province or territory you live in.

  • Withdrawals from your RDSP do not count as income when determining your benefit amount. The RDSP was designed to be fully exempt when determining eligibility for all federal benefits, which will include the CDB.

    Find out if your province or territory has announced if the CDB will be affected by clawbacks.

  • If your household status changes during a payment period, the amount you receive will be recalculated. This includes if you get married, enter a common-law relationship, get divorced or separated, or if your spouse or partner passes away.

  • If the beneficiary (the person approved to receive the benefit) dies, the estate or heirs can receive a benefit payment for the month of the beneficiary's death, if the beneficiary did not yet receive a payment for that month.

  • A federal election has been called and will take place on April 28th, 2025. Some people are concerned that changes in the government could affect the CDB. However, it is important to remember that the CDB received support across all political parties. Also, any changes to the CDB, which is now law, must go through a parliamentary process.