The Canada Disability Benefit: Details & Impact

May 15, 2025

As of May 15, 2025,  regulations supporting the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) will come into force. CDB payments are expected to begin in July 2025. The purpose of this benefit is to support the financial security of working-age people with disabilities.

Impact to your plan members

The coming into force of these regulations doesn’t impact claims made by your plan members. Sun Life won’t treat the CDB as a deduction from short-term and/or long-term disability benefit payments for any plan member receiving the benefit. There will be no change to plan premiums as a result of this government benefit.

Overview of the CDB:

  • The earliest a person can be eligible for the benefit is June 2025.
  • The benefit for June 2025 would be payable (owed) in July 2025.
  • The CDB can provide eligible recipients with up to $2,400 annually ($200/month). The actual amount is determined based on the recipient’s and their spouse or common law partner’s income (where applicable), employment income exemption, and inflation adjustments. 

To receive the benefit a person must meet numerous eligibility requirements, including, but not limited to:

  • Be a resident of Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act.
  • Have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit.
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 64. 

For more information about the CDB, please visit the Government of Canada website.

Questions? We’re here to help.

Please contact your Sun Life Group Benefits representative.