New $150 Disability Benefit Payment: Who Will Receive It?

Geoff Currier

Your clients who receive the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) may now be in line for a one-time supplemental lump sum payment of $150.00. The payment is intended to offset the cost of obtaining the disability tax credit (DTC) which is required if they are to receive the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) and the payments began on September 17, 2026.  Did your eligible clients receive it?

The Backdrop:  This measure was announced in Budget 2025. Your eligible clients will receive $150 for each approved DTC certificate which qualifies them for the CDB.

Any person who received a Canada Disability Benefit payment before September 1, 2026, even if they are no longer receiving payments (for example, someone who received a single payment in July 2025), is eligible. 

Who Gets It:  Those who received CDB payments between July 2025 and June 2026 are eligible for  the supplemental payment. Beginning in the winter of 2027, payments will also be made to those who became eligible after July 2026, and individuals who were approved for a new DTC certificate, or who were re-certified for the DTC.

Payments began on September 17, 2026. Employment and Social Development Canada is responsible for administering these payments but has not provided a specific timeline for when all eligible recipients can expect to receive their $150.00. 

No Application Necessary: Your clients do not need to apply for this supplemental payment. Nevertheless, if they have not received their payment after a reasonable time has passed, you can assist them in reaching out to the department.

The payment should arrive in the same way as their regular disability payments, whether that be by direct deposit or by cheque but the department has not made that clear. 

Other Changes Announced. Four other changes were made to the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations. They took effect on September 1, 2026 with the following clarifications:

• the definition of "adjusted income" was updated to align with amendments to the Income Tax Act under which the Canada Disability Benefit payments are exempt from income. CDB payments will therefore not reduce or impact other federal income-tested benefits and programs (such as the Canada Child Benefit)
• a person who is granted a waiver exempting them from the requirement that their spouse or common-law partner file an income tax return will be treated as single for the purpose of calculating their monthly payment amount
• people may apply up to 6 months prior to their 18^th birthday; and
• interest will not accrue on debts during reconsiderations, appeals or judicial reviews

The Bottom Line: Canadians with disabilities face economic barriers that other Canadians do not. If you have clients who are in this situation or you are aware of individuals who are, you can help them by making sure that they update their current contact information with all federal departments so that they will receive the benefits to which they are entitled and of course, file tax returns to enable the income-testing for eligibility.   

Your clients who deal with a disability may be challenged when it comes to navigating the system or keeping their contact information updated with CRA and government agencies.

Additional Educational Resources:  Invite your clients to listen to Real Tax News with Evelyn Jacks and Friends to understand their tax system better. Go to learn.knowledgebureau.com/courses/real-tax-news-podcast