Applications for the Canada Disability Benefit opened on June 20th, 2025, and Service Canada is working on processing the applications. Some people are still waiting for their first payments. 

The first payment for the Canada Disability Benefit went out on July 17th, 2025. This is a new monthly payment for those with disabilities who qualify for and have a Disability Tax Credit. Payments come out on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Here are the payment dates for 2025:

• July 17
• August 21
• September 18
• October 16
• November 20
• December 18

Payments will be up to $200/m and the actual amount will depend on your income level based on your 2024 income taxes. If your total yearly payment amount for the period from July 1^st of the current year to June 30th of the next year is $240 or less ($20/m or less), you’ll get one lump sum payment instead of monthly payments. 

For those who have not yet received their July or August payments, you may receive a lump sum or multiple catch-up payments in a short time period once your application is processed. 

When windfalls of money happen like this, I recommend thinking ahead of time about what you can do with the money to help your overall financial situation. Making a plan ahead of time can help you use the money in a positive way. Ask yourself these questions:

• Is there a debt I want to pay down or pay off? 
• Is there a goal I want to save money towards?
• Is there a bill I want to pre-pay to make sure I am ahead of my payments?

Write it down! Writing down a goal and putting it somewhere you see daily can help you stay on track. 

Unplanned lump sums can be used to help your overall financial situation. Also, think about how you want to use the monthly Canada Disability Benefit payment. This is additional money that you haven’t received before. Again, ask yourself the questions above. You could use all or a portion of the benefit to pay towards a debt and pay it down faster, or put it directly in a savings account to save towards a goal. 

New government benefits don’t come along often, and they give those who will receive them a chance to make conscious decisions about how they will use this new money. If you want help reflecting on your finances and making a plan to move forward in a positive way, reach out to me, Caroline, and our Financial Literacy Program.