1. Overview of the Child Disability Benefit (CDB / CGEB)
The Child Disability Benefit (CDB / CGEB) is a tax-free monthly payment administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for families who care for a child under age 18 eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- $3,322 Tax-Free Annual Supplement: Adds up to $3,322 CAD per eligible child per year (~$276.83 monthly) on top of standard Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments
- 100% Tax-Free Payout: Benefit payments are completely tax-free and do not increase family taxable income
- Automatic Payment Integration: Once DTC (Form T2201) is approved for a child under 18, CRA automatically adds the CDB supplement to monthly CCB deposits
- Income-Tested Phase-Out: Full benefit is paid for families with Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) under $75,537 CAD, with gradual phase-out for higher incomes
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Submit CRA Form T2201 (Disability Tax Credit Certificate) for child under age 18
✓Ensure parent/guardian is receiving monthly Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
✓Receive automatic monthly CDB top-up deposits from CRA
2. CDB / CGEB Monthly Payment & Income Phase-Out Matrix
How CDB benefit payouts are calculated.
| Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) | Annual CDB Supplement Per Child | Monthly CDB Add-On Value | Reduction Calculation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $75,537 CAD | $3,322.00 CAD per year | $276.83 CAD per month | 0% (Full maximum payout) |
| $75,537 to $120,000 CAD | Pro-rated by income reduction formula | ~$150 to $250 CAD per month | Reduced by 3.2% of income over $75,537 |
| Above $150,000 CAD | Phased out for high-income families | $0 CAD (Fully phased out) | Phased out based on number of children |
3. Retroactive CDB Refunds & RDSP Unlocking
Maximizing past benefit payouts.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- Up to 10 Years Retroactive Payouts: When a child is approved for DTC retroactively, CRA automatically recalculates CCB/CDB for up to 10 previous years, often resulting in lump-sum checks of $10,000 to $25,000
- Unlocking RDSP Grants: DTC approval for a child also unlocks up to $70,000 in Canada Disability Savings Grants (CDSG)
- Shared Custody Splitting: In shared custody arrangements, each eligible parent receives 50% of the monthly CDB supplement
- No Separate Application Required: If already receiving CCB, no separate application is needed once DTC is approved
Critical Regulatory NoteRETROACTIVE BENFIT LUMPSUM: CRA automatically pays up to 10 years of retroactive CDB benefit top-ups upon approving a child's DTC application.
4. Step-by-Step CGEB Calculation Roadmap
Calculating child disability benefit.
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Confirm DTC approval for child under 18
✓Check AFNI on prior year Notice of Assessment
✓Verify monthly CCB direct deposit includes CDB top-up
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The maximum tax-free benefit is $3,322 CAD per child per year (~$276.83 per month).
No! CDB payments are 100% tax-free.
Your child must be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC / Form T2201) by CRA.
CRA can pay retroactive CDB payments for up to 10 previous calendar years.
No. CRA automatically adds the CDB supplement to your CCB payments once DTC is approved.
Full benefits are paid for family net income under $75,537 CAD, with gradual phase-out above that amount.
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CGEB Key Metrics
Max Annual Benefit
Up to $3,322 CAD Tax-Free per ChildMax Monthly Top-Up
~$276.83 CAD Monthly PayoutIncome Phase-Out Threshold
Starts at $75,537 CAD AFNIPrerequisite Requirement
DTC Approval (Form T2201)Related Immigration Pathways
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