Canada Disability Benefit comes into force

Ottawa – March 11, 2025 – The Government of Canada has announced that the final Canada Disability Benefit Regulations are now complete, marking a significant milestone in the fight for financial security and dignity for persons with disabilities across Canada.

In a statement on March 3, the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, stated that, “I am very proud to announce that the final Canada Disability Benefit Regulations are now complete and will come into force on May 15, 2025. This means that the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) will be delivered on time, with the first cheques going out to Canadians in July of this year.”

The Canada Disability Benefit is a federal income supplement to move people with disabilities out of poverty.

Advocacy group Disability Without Poverty outlines the timeline for implementation of the benefit:

• May 15, 2025 – Regulations come into force
• June 1, 2025 – Applications open
• July 1, 2025 – First payments issued

UFCW Canada has long advocated for the creation of the Canada Disability Benefit, support the work of key partners such as Disability Without Poverty, and our members have fought for the creation of the benefit through rallies, campaigns, and petitions.

In Canada, the stats on disability poverty are as follows:

• 1 in 6 people with disabilities lived in poverty.
• Poverty rates for people with disabilities remain twice as high as those without disabilities.
• 1 in 3 people with disabilities living alone lived in poverty.
• People with disabilities would need, on average, 30 per cent more income to reach the poverty line.

Thank you to all of our members who fought for the creation of this historic benefit, to help ensure the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities.