On August 21st, many disabled Canadians woke up expecting to see their Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) deposited into their bank accounts. But for some banking with TD and BMO, the money never arrived.

“I’m a sole parent to a baby, and that money is my formula, diapers, [and] groceries,” Naomi Garcia told The Canadian Health Sentinel.

The CDB provides a a payment of up to $200 per month to Canadians who receive the Disability Tax Credit, to help pay for living expenses. It launched later than promised near the end of June and has faced widespread criticism. The disabled community, the Canadian Medical Association, the United Nations Committee on Rights for Persons with Disabilities, and several other organizations have criticized the CDB’s low payout, narrow eligibility, and other design flaws.

“Why expect anything else when it’s been like pulling teeth every step of the way?” Tammi C., who hadn’t received the benefit on time, told The Canadian Health Sentinel.

The Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, whose office oversees the benefit program, did not issue a statement the day of the delay. Nor did Leslie Church, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister, who wrote a glowing but inaccurate op-ed about the CDB earlier in July.

“A limited number of client payments remain outstanding due to an isolated systems issue,” a Ministry spokesperson said over email. “Service Canada has addressed this issue, and is focused on ensuring timely payments for clients as soon as possible.”

How Canadians Are Affected

The Canadian Health Sentinel spoke with multiple individuals banking with TD and BMO who were expecting to receive payments to help cover the cost of groceries and other essentials. It isn’t clear how many Canadians are currently affected.

Tammi C. had planned to order groceries on the morning of August 21st, but with the benefit absent, she couldn’t make the order and her bank account is now in the negative.

Jeff Musgrave, who spoke with Canadian Affairs about the CDB, still hasn’t received his payment. He applied the day the benefit launched, but his application was delayed. Musgrave was told he wouldn’t receive anything until August.

“I sold my smartphone in July to cover bills,” said Musgrave. “I was supposed to receive $400, but it did not show up. Now I have nothing left to sell.” He added that TD will charge a $150 fee for having insufficient funds in his account.

Jenny Makinen, who was also supposed to receive the benefit to help cover the cost of groceries, said she’s anxious she might be hit with overdraft fees at the end of the month if the payment doesn’t come through. “We’re just scraping by right now,” she said.

Why Are Payments Delayed?

With no official statements, it is unclear why the payments are delayed, how many are affected, or when the payments will arrive. Several people who called their bank said representatives pointed to Service Canada as the source of the problem.

A BMO spokesperson told the Canadian Health Sentinel to “follow-up with Service Canada” while TD has not yet provided comment.

Many tried calling Service Canada for answers. “I have not been able to get through,” said Makinen. When she called, she received a message that all the agents were currently busy and to call back later.

Later, callers to Service Canada were met with another automated message. “Due to a system issue, some Canada Disability Benefit payments issued by direct deposit for the month of August 2025 will be delayed […] Please note that agents are currently unable to provide additional assistance regarding delayed payments.”

So far, there’s little accountability or explanation. The Ministry overseeing the benefit did not issue a statement the day of and has not provided a plan or timeline for fixing the issue.

“It’s Friday and there’s no money, and I have no hope of the government rectifying this over the weekend,” said Makinen. “I feel helpless.”

UPDATED AT 1:59PM ET: Added r

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I'm a science and health journalist who is disappointed and fed up with the lack of news coverage surrounding Long COVID, ME/CFS, chronic illness, and disability issues in Canada. I decided to start this newsletter to provide a home for the news stories that don’t get coverage in Canada’s news ecosystem, which lacks outlets for good, science-based reporting.