🍁 BenefitCanada

Living with a disability

Life eventChecked October 2, 2026

Many disability supports depend on first getting the Disability Tax Credit approved. From there you can access monthly benefits, savings incentives and provincial income support.

Your checklist

  1. Apply for the Disability Tax Credit with a medical practitioner's certification

    DTC approval is the gateway to several other programs.

    DTC

  2. Once approved, apply for the Canada Disability Benefit

    It is a separate monthly payment for working-age adults with an approved DTC.

    CDB

  3. If you have worked and paid into CPP and can't work, apply for CPP disability

    It pays a monthly benefit based on contributions.

    CPP disability

  4. Open an RDSP

    The government adds grants and bonds to eligible RDSPs.

    RDSP grant & bond

  5. For a child with a disability, check the Child Disability Benefit

    It is added to the CCB once the child's DTC is approved.

    CDB CCB

  6. Apply for provincial disability income support if eligible

    Provinces run their own income programs.

  7. Claim medical and home accessibility expenses at tax time

    These credits reduce taxes owed.

    Medical expenses HATC CCC

Timing

DTC approval can take several weeks or more; apply early because other benefits wait on it. DTC can be backdated, and earlier years can be adjusted.

Province-specific notes

  • Quebec: Allocation famille includes a supplement for handicapped children.
  • Manitoba: Rent Assist uses a higher income limit for people with the DTC or CPP disability.
  • Alberta: AISH and the Alberta Disability Assistance Program provide provincial income support.

Official sources

Last checked against these pages on October 2, 2026.

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BenefitCanada is independent and not affiliated with any government. This guide summarizes official sources in plain language; rules and amounts change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.