10/22/2026
Parents: are you missing years of the Child Disability Benefit, or Caregiver Credits?
One of the most common things I see with parents who apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) for their children: the CRA does not automatically pay all of the retroactive Child Disability Benefit (CDB), or the Caregiver Credits.
When your child is approved, the CRA only calculates the CDB for the current benefit year and the previous two (roughly the last 2 to 3 years). If your child’s approval goes back further than that, you have to request the earlier years in writing, or that money is left on the table.
There are also several separate benefits for children with disabilities, which can be confusing. Here’s a quick breakdown:
👉 Disability Tax Credit: the main non-refundable tax credit, usually claimed by a parent on their tax return. Estimate what you may be eligible for: https://www.disabilitytaxservice.ca/disability-tax-credit-calculator/
👉 Child supplement: an extra amount added to the DTC for children under 18. It’s applied automatically when the CRA reassesses for the DTC. More on the DTC for children: https://www.disabilitytaxservice.ca/child-disability-tax-credit/
👉 Child Disability Benefit: a monthly payment added to your Canada Child Benefit. Earlier years beyond the automatic period need to be requested in writing. I’ve put together a sample letter and instructions here: https://www.disabilitytaxservice.ca/child-disability-benefit/
👉 Canada caregiver credit: a separate non-refundable tax credit for supporting a child with an impairment. It isn’t added automatically, so you’ll need to request it for each eligible year. Learn more: https://www.disabilitytaxservice.ca/disability-tax-credit-for-caregivers/
👉 RDSP: a Registered Disability Savings Plan you can open at your bank. The government adds grants and bonds, and unused amounts can be carried forward from the years your child has been eligible. Learn more: https://www.disabilitytaxservice.ca/registered-disability-saving-plan-rdsp/
If your child was recently approved, it’s worth checking that you’ve claimed everything you’re entitled to. If your child isn’t approved yet, you can find out if they may qualify here: https://www.disabilitytaxservice.ca/disability-tax-credit-assessment/
If you have questions, feel free to send me a message.
Find out if you’re likely to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. Free, honest review from an advisor with 20+ years of DTC experience.