Several Canadians may see government benefit payments deposited into their bank accounts this week. Two major programs scheduled for distribution include the Canada Disability Benefit and the Canada Child Benefit. The Canada Disability Benefit payments will be issued on March 19, while the Canada Child Benefit and related provincial benefits in Ontario and British Columbia are expected to be deposited on March 20.
Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
The Canada Disability Benefit is a federal financial support program created for Canadians aged 18 to 64 who are living with a disability. The program started accepting applications last year and continues to allow eligible individuals to apply.
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People who qualify for this benefit will start receiving payments beginning the month after their application is approved.
Many eligible Canadians have already received invitation letters from Service Canada that contain a six-digit code along with instructions on how to apply for the program. However, individuals who did not receive a letter may still apply if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants who have a spouse or common-law partner must ensure that both individuals have filed their 2024 federal income tax return before applying.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Canada Disability Benefit, applicants must meet at least one of the following residency or status requirements:
- Canadian citizen
- Permanent resident of Canada
- Temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months
- Protected person
- Individual registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act
In addition, applicants must:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 64
- Be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
- Be a resident of Canada
Payment Amount
The amount of money an individual receives depends on several factors, including the household’s net income.
| Benefit Period | Maximum Annual Amount | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 – June 2026 | $2,400 | $200 |
The payment amount is adjusted each year to reflect inflation and changes in the cost of living.
Eligible individuals may also receive retroactive payments for previous months. However, these back payments are limited to a maximum of 24 months from the date the application is submitted and cannot apply to months before June 2025.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment designed to help families cover the cost of raising children under the age of 18.
In July 2025, Canadian families received a 2.7 percent increase in payments as part of the government’s annual indexation adjustment. This process ensures that benefit amounts keep pace with rising living costs.
Current CCB Payment Amounts (2025 Benefit Year)
| Child Age Group | Annual Maximum Payment | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 years old | $7,997 | $666 |
| Age 6 to 17 | $6,748 | $562 |
The Child Disability Benefit also increased during the same period.
| Benefit Type | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Child Disability Benefit (2025) | $3,411 |
Expected CCB Increase for 2026
The federal government has announced a projected two percent indexation increase for 2026. As a result, benefit amounts are expected to rise again starting in July 2026.
| Benefit Type | 2025 Amount | 2026 Amount | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child under 6 | $7,997 | $8,157 | +$160 |
| Child age 6–17 | $6,748 | $6,883 | +$135 |
| Child Disability Benefit | $3,411 | $3,480 | +$69 |
Families can check whether they qualify for the Canada Child Benefit by using the eligibility tool available on the Government of Canada website.
In addition to federal payments families living in British Columbia and Ontario will also receive provincial child benefit payments on the same date.
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