Are you or is a loved one living with a disability?
The Government of Canada offers a variety of benefits to help people with disabilities. In some cases, the financial benefits extend to family members.
The programs include Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefits, Child Disability Benefits, savings plan grants for people with a disability and their families, educational funding, disability benefits for veterans, and tax credits. Below you’ll find an overview of those programs, including who they are for and how to get more information.
Who qualifies?
In most cases, you will have to apply to a government program to receive benefits. If you are eligible, the amount you receive may depend on your income. Depending on the benefit you are applying for, the requirements and application process will be different.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit
This is a monthly payment you can get if you:
- are under age 65,
- have made enough contributions to the CPP,
- have a mental or physical disability that often stops you from doing any type substantially gainful work (click here for more detail), and
- have a disability that is long term or is likely to result in death.
Click here for more information about the CPP Disability Benefit, including:
- how to apply,
- whether you’re eligible, and
- how much money you may receive each month.
If you qualify, your CPP Disability Benefit is automatically changed to a CPP retirement pension when you turn 65.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Children’s Benefit
This is a monthly payment your children may be able to get if you are receiving the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit. Children must be under the age of 18, or under 25 and attend a recognized school or university full-time. Click here for more information about the CPP Children’s Benefit, including how to apply.
Disability Tax Credit
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps you or the people who provide you support by reducing the amount of income tax you may have to pay. Part of the application process includes a medical practitioner filling out a form to certify that you have a severe and prolonged impairment.
Click here to learn more about eligibility, how to apply and how to claim the disability credit once you’re approved.
Child Disability Benefit
This is a tax-free monthly payment to families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment.
To get it:
- you must be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit, and
- your child must be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.
If you are already getting the Canada Child Benefit for your child and they are also eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, you do not need to apply for the Child Disability Benefit. You will get it automatically.
Click here to learn more about eligibility and how much you can expect to receive if you qualify.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
This plan helps people with disabilities and their families save for the future. If you live in Canada and are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, you qualify for an RDSP If you have an RDSP, you may also qualify for grants from the government to help with your savings.
You may consider starting an RDSP if you’re:
- eligible for the Disability Tax Credit,
- under the age of 60 (if you are 59, you must apply before the end of the calendar year in which you turned 59),
- a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number (SIN); and
- looking for a long-term savings plan.
Click here for more information about the RDSP.
Education funding for people with disabilities
There are services, benefits and programs to assist people with disabilities and their families:
- Click here for information about financial assistance for students with a permanent disability enrolled at a post-secondary school;
- Click here for information about grants towards tuition, textbook, and accommodation costs for eligible students with a permanent disability; and
- Click here for details about how you can have your student loan forgiven if you have a severe and permanent disability that prevents you from pursuing further post-secondary education and working.
Disability benefits for veterans
You may qualify for benefits if you have a diagnosed medical condition or disability and can show the disability is related to your service. You may qualify for disability benefits if you are a:
- Canadian Armed Forces member or veteran,
- current or former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP),
- Second World War or Korean War veteran (includes Merchant Navy), or
- a civilian who served in the Second World War (click here for more detail.)
Click here for more information about disability benefits for veterans.
Federal Excise Gasoline Tax Refund
If you have a permanent mobility disability that prevents you from safely using public transportation, you can apply for a refund for some of the gas you buy. In order to apply, a medical practitioner must certify your impairment. Click here for more information and how to apply.
Other resources
