Child Disability Benefit

What is the Child Disability Benefit?
The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free benfit of up to $1,600 per year for low- and modest-income families caring for children under the age of 18 who have a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment. The CDB will be included as a supplement to the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) payments.

What does prolonged impairment mean?
A prolonged impairment is one that has lasted or can reasonably be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

What is an activity of daily living?
The basic acitivites of daily living are:

• Walking
• Speaking
• Perceiving, Thinking or Remembering
• Hearing
• Feeding and Dressing
• Eliminating Bodily Waste

The basic activities of daily living do not include general activities such as working, housekeeping, social or recreational activities. A child is considered markedly restricted if, all or almost all of the time the child is unable (or it takes an extremely long time) to perform a basic activity or daily living, even with therapy (other than life sustaining therapy) and the use of appropriate devices and medication.

When will the Child Disability Benefit be paid?
The CDB will be paid monthly, as a supplement to CCTB payments. The first payment issues to eligible families in March 2004. Initial payments may backdate to July/03.

How to apply
If you receive the CCTB for your child and you or your current or former spouse or common-law partner has already submitted an approved Form T2201 for that child, you do not need to contact the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) or send in any other forms. Your CDB will be calculated automatically and included in the March 2004 CCTB payment.
If you receive the CCTB, but you or your current or former spouse or common-law partner have not filed Form T2201 for a child who may be eligible, please obtain one, have it completed and signed by a qualified person, and send it to your tax centre. The CCRA will determine whether or not you are eligible to receive the CCTB which includes the CDB.
If you have not applied for the CCTB for your child, but you have already filed Form T2201, complete and mail Form RC66, Canada Child Tax Benefit Application, to your tax centre. The CCRA will determine whether or not you are eligible to receive the CCTB which includes the CDB.

More information
For more information about the CDB, call the CCTB enquiries line at 1-800-387-1193. Information is also available on the CCRA's Child and Family Benefits Web page at www.ccra.gc.ca/benefits. To get copies of Form T2201, Form RC66, or Information Concerning Person with Disabilities, visit www.ccra.gc.ca/formspubs. You can also get copies by calling 1-800-959-2221 or by visiting one of our offices.