Kids · Canada
The Child Disability Benefit and Disability Tax Credit for Kids: Applying and What You Get
In Canada, the Child Disability Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment for families caring for a child under 18 who is approved for the disability tax credit. For July 2026 to June 2027 it is up to $3,480 a year, or $290 a month, per eligible child, and it is paid with the Canada Child Benefit. The key step is the disability tax credit application, Form T2201, certified by a medical practitioner. Approval can also open the DTC itself with a supplement for children, a higher child care expense limit, and a Registered Disability Savings Plan.
Key takeaways
- The Child Disability Benefit is up to $3,480 a year ($290 a month) per eligible child for July 2026 to June 2027, paid with the CCB.
- The child must be approved for the disability tax credit. Apply with Form T2201, part B certified by a medical practitioner.
- The CDB is reduced when adjusted family net income passes $82,847. Lower-income families get the full amount.
- The DTC itself is a non-refundable credit with a supplement for children under 18. A parent can claim the child's unused amount.
- CRA can adjust back up to 10 years once the DTC is approved, which can mean a lump-sum CDB payment.
Step one: the disability tax credit
The disability tax credit (DTC) is for a person with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions, as certified by a medical practitioner. Prolonged means it has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 continuous months. The application is Form T2201. The parent completes part A, and a medical practitioner, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, psychologist or other listed professional depending on the impairment, completes part B. It can be submitted online through CRA's digital application or by mail.
CRA reviews the form and sends a notice of determination. If it is denied, you can ask for a review or file an objection. The DTC application guide covers the steps in detail.
What approval opens
| Benefit | What it is | Amount or effect |
|---|---|---|
| Child Disability Benefit | Monthly payment with the CCB | Up to $3,480 a year per child, July 2026 to June 2027 |
| Disability tax credit | Non-refundable credit, with a supplement under 18 | 2025: $10,138 plus up to $5,914; 2026 amounts are indexed |
| Child care expense deduction | Higher annual limit | $11,000 per DTC-eligible child |
| RDSP | Savings plan with federal grants and bonds | Grants up to $3,500 a year; bonds up to $1,000 a year |
| Provincial programs | Varies by province | Check your province |
How the Child Disability Benefit is paid
You do not apply for the CDB separately. If you already receive the CCB for the child and the DTC is approved, CRA adds the CDB to your payments. If you do not receive the CCB, apply for it. For July 2026 to June 2027, CRA's table shows $290 a month for one eligible child, $580 for two and $870 for three where adjusted family net income is below $82,847. Above that, the payment is reduced; CRA's CDB table shows the amounts.
In shared custody, the CDB is split the same way as the CCB, 50 percent each based on each parent's income. The shared custody guide explains it.
The DTC and the supplement for children
The DTC is a non-refundable credit. A child rarely has tax to reduce, so a supporting parent can claim the unused amount. For the 2025 tax year, CRA lists a disability amount of $10,138 plus a supplement of up to $5,914 for a person under 18 at the end of the year, a maximum of $16,052. The supplement is reduced when child care or attendant care expenses are claimed for the child above a threshold. The amounts are indexed each year; use the figures for the year you file.
Back payments
When you apply, you can ask CRA to adjust prior years. CRA can go back up to 10 years for the DTC, as far as the impairment existed, and reassess returns. The CDB can also be paid for past months, which can arrive as a lump sum. Keep a copy of the T2201 and the notice of determination.
Example with made-up inputs: monthly payments for two children
These numbers are an example with made-up inputs. A family below $82,847 of adjusted family net income has two children approved for the DTC. CRA's table gives $580 a month in CDB, or $6,960 a year, on top of the CCB. If only one child were approved, the CDB would be $290 a month, or $3,480 a year.
| Eligible children | Monthly CDB | Annual CDB |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $290 | $3,480 |
| 2 | $580 | $6,960 |
| 3 | $870 | $10,440 |
Sources
- CRA, Canada child benefit: how much you can get, and Child Disability Benefit guideline table, July 2026 to June 2027, as of 1 Oct 2026. Up to $3,480 a year ($290 a month); $290, $580 and $870 a month under $82,847.
- CRA, Disability tax credit: eligibility, Form T2201 and claiming the credit, as of 1 Oct 2026. Medical practitioner certification; 12-month prolonged test; adjustments up to 10 years.
- CRA, Line 31600 Disability amount, as of 1 Oct 2026. 2025: $10,138 plus up to $5,914 under 18.
- Income Tax Act, section 63. $11,000 child care expense limit for a DTC-eligible child.
- ESDC, RDSP grants and bonds, as of 1 Oct 2026.
- The family in the example is made up; the monthly amounts are CRA's.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Child Disability Benefit in 2026?
For July 2026 to June 2027, it is up to $3,480 a year, or $290 a month, per eligible child, paid with the Canada Child Benefit. It is reduced when adjusted family net income is above $82,847.
How do I apply for the Child Disability Benefit?
Apply for the disability tax credit with Form T2201, with part B certified by a medical practitioner. If the DTC is approved and you receive the CCB for the child, CRA adds the CDB automatically. If you do not get the CCB, apply for it.
Can I get back payments of the CDB?
Yes. When the DTC is approved, CRA can adjust up to 10 previous years as far as the impairment existed, and past CDB can be paid, often as a lump sum.
Can a parent claim a child's disability tax credit?
Yes. A child rarely has tax to reduce, so a supporting parent can claim the unused amount. For 2025, CRA lists $10,138 plus a supplement of up to $5,914 for a person under 18; amounts are indexed each year.
What else does a child's DTC approval open?
A higher child care expense deduction limit of $11,000 per child, eligibility to open an RDSP with federal grants and bonds, and some provincial programs.
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and fact-checked against official Canadian sources. How we create content.
Disclosure: No service is recommended or ranked. Paid DTC application services exist; CRA does not require one. Saving Optimizer may earn a commission if a partner link is added later; no partnership is claimed. Education only. This is not tax or medical advice.