About the child disability benefit

  1. What is the child disability benefit?
  2. When is the child disability benefit payment issued?
  3. Who can receive the child disability benefit?
  4. My child has a disability. Is my child eligible for the child disability benefit?
  5. How do I apply for the child disability benefit?
  6. How is the child disability benefit calculated?

1. What is the child disability benefit?
The child disability benefit (CDB) is a tax-free benefit of up to $2,730 per year ($227.50 per month) for families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions.

2. When is the child disability benefit payment issued?
The CDB is paid monthly to individuals who are eligible for the Canada child benefit (CCB) and also as a supplement to the children's special allowances (CSA).

3. Who can receive the child disability benefit?
Families who are eligible for the CCB for a child will receive the CDB only if the child is also eligible for the disability tax credit.

4. My child has a disability. Is my child eligible for the child disability benefit?
Not necessarily. To be eligible for the CDB, the child must have a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. An impairment is prolonged if it has lasted, or is expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months. A medical practitioner has to complete and certify that the child has a severe and prolonged impairment and must describe its effects on Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate. Once the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) receives a completed Form T2201, the CRA will advise you if the child is eligible for the disability tax credit and the CDB supplement.

For more information go to the disability tax credit.

5. How do I apply for the child disability benefit?
If you are eligible for the CCB but you have not filed Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, for a child who may be eligible for the CDB supplement complete only the sections of Part A of Form T2201 that apply to you, ask a medical practitioner to complete and certify Part B. Send your completed and signed form to your tax centre. The CRA will determine whether or not you are eligible  for the disability tax credit and the CDB supplement.

You can send the form to the CRA at any time during the year. By sending the CRA your form before you file your income tax and benefit return, you may prevent a delay in your assessment. The CRA will review your form before we assess your return. Keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

If you have already applied for the CCB for a child who is eligible for the disability tax credit, the CDB will be calculated automatically for the current and the two previous CCB benefit years. Beyond these benefit years, a written request to the appropriate tax centre or tax services office will have to be submitted.

If you have not applied for the CCB for your child, but have already filed Form T2201, complete and send Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application to your tax centre. The CRA will determine whether or not you are eligible for the CCB and the CDB supplement.

Fees
You are responsible for any fees that a medical practitioner charges to complete Form T2201 or to give the CRA more information. However, you may be able to claim these fees  as medical expenses on line 330 or line 331 of your income tax and benefit return. See your tax package for details.

6. How is the child disability benefit calculated?
For the period of July 2016 to June 2018, the CDB provides up to $2,730 per year ($227.50 per month) for each child who is eligible for the disability tax credit.

The CDB starts being reduced when the adjusted family net income (AFNI) is more than $65,000. The reduction is calculated as follows:

  • For families with one child eligible for the CDB, the reduction is 3.2% of the amount of AFNI over $65,000.

  • For families with two or more children eligible for the CDB, the reduction is 5.7% of the amount of AFNI.

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