One Year of the Canada Disability Benefit: Understanding Meaningful Impact is a report that combines survey responses with real-time insights from our Disability Planning Helpline.
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a federal benefit for working-age people with disabilities. It was created following years of advocacy by the disability community, with the goal of addressing the disproportionate level of poverty experienced by people with disabilities. Applications for the CDB finally opened on June 20, 2025, with the first payments made the following month.
As we approach one year of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), we wanted to understand our community’s experience with accessing the benefit and how it impacts their lives. Since the benefit’s launch, we have been collecting feedback from people who accessed the CDB application. Over the past year, 193 people have shared their experiences applying for the CDB.
What the report covers:
- Application realities: An honest look at the accessibility of the application process and eligibility criteria
- Financial impact: Why the benefit amount does not meaningfully offset the additional costs of living with a disability
- Systemic barriers: Shared difficulties with calculating benefit amounts, administration delays, and deep concerns about Alberta’s clawbacks.
This report is grounded in our community’s lived experience and shapes our ongoing advocacy.
