Canada Disability Benefit

• Proof that you are authorized to act as the beneficiary’s legal representative, if applying on behalf of someone else

Who is eligible?

• People aged 18 to 64
• People who are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the 18 months preceding that month, protected person, temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the past 18 months, or someone registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act
• Legal guardians or representatives applying on behalf of someone else

Who is not eligible

• People currently serving a prison sentence of two years or more in a federal penitentiary

• You can apply for the CDB using either a printed application form or the online portal.
• If you apply online, the portal will walk you through the required questions and you will submit directly through the portal itself.
• If you are applying for yourself, you can use the beneficiary application form or apply through the online portal.
• If you are a legal guardian or representative applying on behalf of someone else, you can use the legal representative application form or apply through the online portal.
• If you received a letter from Service Canada with a unique 6-digit application code, you can use it to apply using the shortened application form.
• You can apply by phone, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.

• It may take up to 28 calendar days to process the CDB application form, or up to 49 days if you are applying on behalf of someone else as their legal representative.
• You can call Service Canada’s designated CDB call center to check the status of your application.
• Your first payment will be in the month after your application is approved.

• You do not need to receive an invitation letter to apply for the CDB.
• Service Canada plans to send similar letters on an ongoing basis to people who may be newly eligible, for example people who have recently been approved for the DTC.