Canadians eligible for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) program will receive a one-time payment of $150 to offset costs to apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The payments will be doled out beginning on Sept. 17, according to a federal announcement Thursday. “We are breaking down barriers so more Canadians can get the help they need, building a Canada where no one is left behind,” Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement. Recipients will be eligible for a supplemental payment for each approved DTC certificate that qualifies them for the program. This would include those who received their payments all at once for a full payment period and those who received the benefit in the past. Even someone who received one payment and is no longer eligible for the program would still be eligible for this payout. Individuals don’t need to apply for the payment and will receive it depending on when they become eligible for the benefits program. Individuals who became eligible between July 2025 and July 2026 will receive the payment on Sept. 17. Those who become eligible after July 2027 and those who have been approved for a new Disability Tax Credit certificate will receive their payment in early 2027. The program, which was launched last year, was touted as another step in supporting Canadians with disabilities but has since been criticized by advocates and applicants alike for tardy payment schedules and lengthy application times. CTV News received several emails from readers in August 2025 when the second payment for the program did not come through on its scheduled date. A recorded message from the Canada Disability Benefit call centre then attributed the delay to a system issue. Weeks after the program came into effect last year, applicants said it did not go far enough to support Canadians. Applying for the DTC as a requirement for the program is a common barrier to many, some advocates told CTVNews.ca then.
