Child Disability Benefit Up to $3480 a Year Per Child: Families raising a child with a severe disability are getting a slightly bigger monthly payment this year. The Child Disability Benefit now pays up to $3,480 a year, or $290 a month, for each child who qualifies for the disability tax credit, and it arrives on top of the Canada Child Benefit. The amount is for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year and is based on your 2025 tax return. It is up $69 from the $3,411 maximum paid last year, after a 2 percent indexation that took effect on July 1. Today, October 20, the CCB is landing in bank accounts across the country, and the next two payments are scheduled for November 20 and December 11. We’ll be updating this article monthly.
The key thing to know is that most families do not have to fill out a separate form. If your child is approved for the disability tax credit and you already receive the CCB, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) adds the Child Disability Benefit automatically. The harder part is getting that approval, and the CRA is changing how disability tax credit files are handled this year. Below you will find the current amounts, the income limits where the benefit starts to shrink, the payment schedule, a step by step guide to applying, realistic processing times, a free calculator that adds the CCB and the benefit together, and answers to the questions parents ask most often.
Child Disability Benefit 2026 to 2027 Key Highlights
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum Child Disability Benefit | $3,480 a year ($290 a month) per eligible child |
| Benefit year | July 2026 to June 2027 |
| Increase from last year | $69, up from $3,411 (2 percent indexation) |
| Based on | 2025 adjusted family net income |
| Reduction starts at | Adjusted family net income above $82,847 |
| Reduction rate | 3.2 percent for one eligible child, 5.7 percent for two or more |
| Who gets it | CCB recipients with a child under 18 approved for the disability tax credit |
| Next payment dates | November 20 and December 11, 2026 |
| Do you need to apply? | No, if you already get the CCB and the child is DTC approved |
| CRA benefits line | 1-800-387-1193 |
How Much Is the Child Disability Benefit in 2026?
For the July 2026 to June 2027 period, the maximum Child Disability Benefit is $3,480 per year for each child under 18 who is eligible for the disability tax credit. That works out to $290 a month. If you have two eligible children, the combined maximum is $6,960 a year, and so on for each additional child.
The benefit is paid together with the Canada Child Benefit and is added to it. That means a child under six who qualifies for both could bring in up to $11,637 a year, which is the $8,157 CCB maximum plus the $3,480 disability amount. A child between six and 17 could bring in up to $10,363, made up of the $6,883 CCB maximum and the same $3,480.
| Child | Maximum CCB per year | Maximum CDB per year | Combined per year | Combined per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6, DTC approved | $8,157 | $3,480 | $11,637 | $969.75 |
| Age 6 to 17, DTC approved | $6,883 | $3,480 | $10,363 | $863.58 |
Child Disability Benefit Income Limits: When Does It Start to Shrink?
The Child Disability Benefit is far more generous with income than the CCB itself. While the CCB begins to shrink once adjusted family net income passes $38,237, the disability amount is paid in full until income passes $82,847. Above that line the benefit drops by 3.2 percent of the extra income if you have one eligible child, or by 5.7 percent if you have two or more.
Adjusted family net income, often shortened to AFNI, is your net income from line 23600 of the tax return plus your spouse or common law partner’s, with a few adjustments. The CRA uses the previous year’s return, so payments from July 2026 to June 2027 use the 2025 return you filed this spring.
| Number of eligible children | Full benefit until AFNI of | Reduction above that amount | Benefit reaches zero at about |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $82,847 | 3.2 percent | $191,597 |
| 2 or more | $82,847 | 5.7 percent | $204,952 (for two children) |
Here is a quick example. A family with one eligible child and an AFNI of $100,000 is $17,153 over the threshold. The reduction is 3.2 percent of that, or about $549, so the family would receive roughly $2,931 for the year instead of $3,480. A family with two eligible children at the same income would see a reduction of about $978 on a combined $6,960, leaving about $5,982.
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Child Disability Benefit Calculator: Estimate Your CCB and CDB Together
The calculator below estimates both benefits for the July 2026 to June 2027 year. Enter your 2025 adjusted family net income, the number of children in each age group and how many of them are approved for the disability tax credit. It uses the CRA’s published maximums, thresholds and reduction rates. It does not include provincial or territorial benefits, shared custody adjustments or any special situation, so treat the result as an estimate and confirm in your CRA My Account.
CCB and Child Disability Benefit Calculator
Who Qualifies for the Child Disability Benefit?
Two conditions have to be met at the same time. First, you must be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit, which means you are the person primarily responsible for the care of a child under 18 who lives with you, and you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes. Second, your child must be eligible for the disability tax credit.
Disability tax credit eligibility is decided by the CRA on the basis of Form T2201, the Disability Tax Credit Certificate. A medical practitioner completes part of the form and certifies that your child has a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. Severe means the impairment markedly restricts daily activities, and prolonged means it has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months. The CRA reviews the certificate and decides whether to approve it. A signed form alone does not guarantee approval.
Because the benefit follows the CCB, it ends when your child turns 18 or when the DTC approval period ends and is not renewed. The benefit also depends on filing taxes every year. Both parents, if you live together, need to file, because the CRA uses the combined income to work out the amount.
How to Apply for the Child Disability Benefit Step by Step
There is no standalone application for the benefit itself. The process runs through the disability tax credit, and the CRA handles the rest. Here is the practical path.
- Confirm you receive the Canada Child Benefit for the child. If you do not, apply for the CCB first through My Account or by completing the form on the CRA website.
- Download the current Form T2201 from canada.ca or start the application through My Account, which the CRA encourages because it flags missing information.
- Complete Part A yourself, which covers your child’s personal details and your signature.
- Book an appointment with a medical practitioner who can certify your child’s condition and ask them to complete Part B. Bring any records that show how the condition affects daily life.
- Submit the completed form to the CRA online or by mail. You can send a T2201 at any time during the year, not just in the spring.
- Wait for the CRA’s decision letter, and make sure your address and direct deposit information are up to date.
- Once the DTC is approved, the CDB is added automatically to your CCB payments, with no second form required.
If this is the first time you receive the benefit, the CRA automatically calculates payments for the current benefit year and the two previous ones, so you may receive a lump sum covering past months. For anything earlier, you can send a written request to your tax centre.
Child Disability Benefit Processing Time: How Long Will It Take?
The CRA does not publish a single guaranteed turnaround for disability tax credit files, and the wait varies widely. Past reviews have taken anywhere from a few weeks to many months, depending on how complete the form is and whether the CRA needs more information from your doctor. Online applications tend to move faster because missing details are flagged before you submit.
| Stage | What happens | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Medical certification | Practitioner completes Part B of the T2201 | Depends on appointment availability |
| CRA review | CRA checks the form and may request more information | Weeks to several months |
| Decision letter | You are told whether the DTC is approved and for which years | Sent by mail or posted to My Account |
| CDB added to payments | Benefit begins on your CCB deposits, with any back payments calculated | Usually within the following payment cycles |
| If denied | You can file a notice of objection or send more medical evidence | Check your letter for the deadline |
If your application is denied, do not stop there. Many families succeed after the practitioner provides more detail about daily limitations, and the objection deadline is printed on the decision letter.
Disability Tax Credit Changes Parents Should Know About This Fall
Two administrative changes affect families with files in the system. According to recent reporting that cites the CRA’s announcements, from July 14, 2026 the “submit documents” function in My Account accepts only the documents the CRA specifically requests on a disability tax credit file, and a case reference number is needed for the upload. Reports also say that from September 6, 2026 the CRA stopped accepting paper versions of the T2201 dated before 2023, so older printed forms should be replaced with the current version from canada.ca. Confirm both points on the CRA website before you act, because secondary summaries sometimes describe these changes inconsistently.
There is also a policy change on the horizon. The federal government’s spring economic update reportedly proposed widening the list of professionals who can certify the form, including podiatrists, physiotherapists, speech language pathologists and occupational therapists within their scope of practice, along with a faster process for certain long lasting conditions. Those changes are described as proposed and the regulations are still expected later in 2026, so do not assume your child’s therapist can sign the form until the CRA confirms it.
Child Disability Benefit Payment Dates: When Will You Get Paid?
The Child Disability Benefit is paid in the same monthly deposit as the Canada Child Benefit, normally on or around the 20th of the month. The CRA’s published CCB schedule for the rest of 2026 is below.
| Month | Payment date |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | October 20 |
| November 2026 | November 20 |
| December 2026 | December 11 |
| January 2027 | Not yet listed by the CRA, check My Account |
The December payment arrives earlier than usual so families have the money before the holidays. That is worth planning around if you pay rent or other bills on a fixed schedule. For January and later months, check the CRA’s benefit payment dates page, which updates as new dates are confirmed. In My Account you can also sign up for reminders about a week before each payment.
If a payment does not arrive, the CRA advises waiting five working days from the scheduled date before contacting them. Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable method, and you can change your banking information in My Account.
Real Examples: What Families Could Receive
| Family situation | 2025 AFNI | Estimated CDB per year | Estimated CDB per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| One eligible child | $60,000 | $3,480 | $290.00 |
| One eligible child | $90,000 | $3,251 | $270.93 |
| One eligible child | $100,000 | $2,931 | $244.26 |
| Two eligible children | $100,000 | $5,982 | $498.52 |
| Two eligible children | $150,000 | $3,132 | $261.02 |
These examples cover the Child Disability Benefit only and use the CRA’s published reduction rates. The CCB portion of your payment will be lower at the same income levels, because it starts shrinking much earlier. Use the calculator above to see the combined total.
Common Mistakes That Can Delay or Reduce Your Payments
Several avoidable issues cause most of the problems families run into. The first is not filing a tax return on time. The CRA calculates benefits from your return, and if either parent has not filed, payments can stop. The second is out of date personal information. If you move, change your marital status or switch banks, tell the CRA right away, because a change in marital status alters the income used for your calculation.
The third is assuming the disability tax credit is approved forever. Some approvals have an end date, and if a renewal is required, a missed renewal means the Child Disability Benefit stops. Look at the approval letter and note the expiry year. The fourth is sending documents the CRA did not ask for, which under the new process may not be reviewed at all, so wait for a request before uploading anything new on an open file.
Is the Child Disability Benefit Taxable?
No. Like the Canada Child Benefit, the Child Disability Benefit is a tax free payment, so you do not report it as income. It also does not reduce your eligibility for the CCB, since the two are calculated separately. Being approved for the disability tax credit can also open the door to other supports, including the disability amount on your tax return and, depending on where you live, provincial programs and savings plans, so it is worth asking your tax preparer what else your approval unlocks.
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Official Websites and Resources for the Child Disability Benefit
| Resource | What you can do | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Child disability benefit (CRA) | Read the official amounts, eligibility and how payments work | canada.ca/child-disability-benefit |
| CRA My Account (login and registration) | Register, sign in, check benefit status, update banking details, set payment reminders | My Account sign in and registration |
| Disability tax credit | Check eligibility and get Form T2201 | Disability tax credit page |
| Canada child benefit payment dates | See the monthly payment schedule | CCB payment dates |
| How the CCB is calculated | View income thresholds and reduction rates | How we calculate your CCB |
| Child and family benefits calculator | Get the CRA’s own estimate | CRA benefits calculator |
| CRA benefits phone line | Questions about the CCB and CDB | 1-800-387-1193 |
| CRA disability tax credit phone line | Questions about T2201 and approvals | 1-800-959-8281 |
FAQs About the Child Disability Benefit
How much is the Child Disability Benefit in 2026?
The maximum is $3,480 a year, or $290 a month, per child eligible for the disability tax credit for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year.
Do I need to apply separately for the Child Disability Benefit?
No, if you already receive the CCB for a child approved for the disability tax credit. The CRA adds the benefit automatically once the DTC is approved.
Who is eligible for the Child Disability Benefit?
You must receive the Canada Child Benefit for a child under 18 who is approved for the disability tax credit. The child must have a severe and prolonged impairment certified on Form T2201.
When is the next Child Disability Benefit payment?
It is paid with the CCB. The next payments are scheduled for November 20 and December 11, 2026.
What income is used to calculate the benefit?
The CRA uses your adjusted family net income from the previous tax year. For payments between July 2026 and June 2027, it uses your 2025 return.
At what income does the benefit start to be reduced?
The reduction begins above $82,847 of adjusted family net income. It is 3.2 percent of the excess for one eligible child and 5.7 percent for two or more.
Can I get the Child Disability Benefit for past years?
Yes. When you first receive the benefit, the CRA automatically calculates the current and two previous benefit years. For earlier years, send a written request to your tax centre.
Is the Child Disability Benefit taxable?
No. It is a tax free payment and does not need to be reported as income.
What happens if my child turns 18?
The benefit stops, since it is paid only for children under 18 who are in your care and eligible for the CCB.
How do I check the status of my application?
Sign in to CRA My Account to see your disability tax credit status and benefit payments, or call 1-800-959-8281 for the DTC and 1-800-387-1193 for the benefit.
How much extra do you get for a disabled child in Canada?
Up to $3,480 a year per eligible child on top of the Canada Child Benefit, as long as the family income is under the reduction threshold.
Is the Child Disability Benefit paid monthly?
Yes. It is paid monthly with your CCB, up to $290 a month per eligible child.
Conclusion: What to Do Next
The Child Disability Benefit is one of the most valuable supports available to families raising a child with a disability, and in 2026 it pays up to $3,480 a year per child on top of the CCB. If your child is already approved for the disability tax credit, make sure you file your taxes on time and keep your information current. If you have not applied, gather your documents and book a medical appointment so Part B of the T2201 can be completed.
Use the calculator to see roughly what your family could receive, mark November 20 and December 11 on your calendar and check My Account for decision letters and payment reminders. We’ll keep this page updated as the CRA confirms new payment dates, disability tax credit changes and future indexation, so check back each month for the latest Child Disability Benefit news.
