Applications Open for The Canada Disability Benefit

At MS Canada, we believe in advocating for policy and systemic change that remove barriers and improve the wellbeing of all Canadians affected by MS. Over the past five years, we have worked in partnership with the federal government and other organizations to advocate for the financial security for working-age Canadians with disabilities. This work materialized earlier this year, when regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit were finalized. On June 20, 2025, applications officially opened.   

The Canada Disability Benefit provides direct financial support to eligible Canadians with disabilities who are between 18 and 64 years old. To receive the Canada Disability Benefit, applicants must have a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, have filed their 2024 income tax returns and meet other eligibility criteria. The disbursement amount is up to $200/month. For more information on how to apply, please visit its official Government of Canada website. 

We are thankful to the thousands in our community that participated in our advocacy efforts by providing feedback during the consultation phase of the regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit. Together, we have made significant contributions in the process of making the Canada Disability Benefit a reality. 

While this is a step in the right direction, we believe more work needs to be done to achieve meaningful financial support for all Canadians affected by MS. Barriers to access the Canada Disability Benefit remain and we continue to advocate for improvements in the eligibility criteria of the Disability Tax Credit, an increase in the disbursement amount and protection from claw backs. 

Our advocacy work to support a better quality of life for Canadians living with MS is ongoing, and we will share updates on the Canada Disability Benefit as they become available.  

To learn more about our advocacy work, please visit mscanada.ca/advocate-for-change