Maximize Your Grant & Bond: Strategies for Every Income Level

Raising a child with a disability comes with unique joys and challenges. From medical appointments to educational planning and everyday care, the journey requires time, love, and resources. Financially, it can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to plan for the long term while balancing today’s priorities. That’s why understanding the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) and Bond (CDSB) can make such a meaningful difference.

Many families don’t realize how much support is available through these federal programs. In fact, depending on your income and contributions, you could receive thousands of dollars in government assistance each year. Yet, these benefits often go unclaimed simply because families aren’t sure how the programs work—or they assume they don’t qualify.

Whether your household income is high, low, or somewhere in between, there are strategies to help you get the most out of the grant and bond. Let’s explore how it all works and how your family can benefit.

What are the CDSG and CDSB?

The Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) and Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) are government programs tied to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)—a savings vehicle specifically designed for people living with a disability.

The grant is a matching program. When you contribute to an RDSP, the government may match those contributions based on your family’s income level. The higher the match, the more support you receive—sometimes up to three times what you’ve contributed.

The bond is even more unique because it doesn’t require any contributions at all. It’s designed for low-income families and allows the government to deposit funds into the RDSP automatically, helping those who might not be able to contribute financially right now.

Both programs are designed to grow savings over the long term and are available until the year the beneficiary turns 49. Together, they can provide a significant foundation for future needs—without affecting other government benefits like the Canada Child Benefit or provincial disability supports.

How the Grant Works: A Match for Your Contribution

Think of the Canada Disability Savings Grant as the government “meeting you halfway”—and sometimes more. The amount of grant money you receive depends on two things: your contribution and your family’s net income.

As of 2025, if your family’s adjusted net income is $114,750 or less, you qualify for a higher level of matching:

• The government matches $3 for every $1 you contribute on the first $500, which equals $1,500.
• Then it matches $2 for every $1 on the next $1,000, giving you an additional $2,000
• That’s a total of $3,500 per year in grant money—just for contributing $1,500.

For families with income over $114,750, the match is $1 for every $1, up to $1,000 per year. It’s still a generous incentive, and it adds up quickly. Over a lifetime, a person can receive up to $70,000 in grant money.

Let’s take an example. If your household earns $90,000 and you contribute $1,500 to your child’s RDSP, you’ll receive the full $3,500 match. That means your savings total $5,000 in just one year—without any investment growth factored in. And you can keep going every year until you hit the lifetime limit.

Understanding the Bond: No Contribution Required

While the grant rewards contributions, the Canada Disability Savings Bond supports families who may not be in a position to contribute right now. If your family’s income is $37,487 or less (based on 2023 tax return, for the 2025 year), you’re eligible to receive $1,000 per year, automatically deposited into the RDSP. No personal contribution is needed.

If your income falls between $37,487 and $57,375, you may qualify for a partial bond, which decreases as your income increases. The lifetime maximum bond amount is $20,000.

This feature is especially helpful for younger families or single-parent households who are just getting started and want to make sure their child’s savings aren’t delayed by financial constraints. It’s also a great way to begin building momentum, even if you’re not ready to contribute out of pocket yet.

Start Early, Grow More

When it comes to savings, time is one of your biggest allies. The earlier you open an RDSP and apply for the grant and bond, the more opportunity your savings have to grow—especially when you consider the matching benefits and the potential for investment growth over time.

Grants and bonds are available until the year the beneficiary turns 49, but funds can remain in the RDSP and grow tax-deferred even beyond that. The long-term nature of the plan makes it ideal for building security for future needs, whether that’s housing, care, or daily living expenses in adulthood.

Even if you’ve missed past contributions, all is not lost. The program allows you to catch up on up to 10 years of unused grant and bond entitlements, which could unlock thousands of dollars in retroactive funding.

Let’s say you were eligible in past years but didn’t make contributions—if you have room to catch up, you could receive up to $10,500 in grants in a single year (by contributing $5,000) and up to $11,000 in total benefits when you include the bond.

Every Family Can Benefit

A common misconception is that these programs are only for low-income families. While the bond is income-tested and designed to help those with the fewest resources, the grant provides opportunities for families at all income levels to grow long-term savings.

Whether you’re able to contribute a little or a lot, these programs are designed to support your efforts and multiply your impact. A family that contributes just $100 a month could see thousands of dollars in government grants over time—and those savings can grow tax-deferred for years.

The key is to start. Open an RDSP, understand your eligibility, and take advantage of the grants and bonds while they’re available. The government has set aside these funds to help families like yours—and every dollar adds up.

Understanding how the CDSG and CDSB work isn’t just about financial strategy—it’s about peace of mind. These programs were built to empower families with the tools to build a more secure future, regardless of where you’re starting from.

Need help applying this to your situation? Let’s talk.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on this content.

Sources:

Introduction to the RDSP– Government of Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/savings/issuers/videos/introduction.html

Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond – Government of Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/savings/grants-bonds.html

2025 Income Matching Rates Bulletin – Government of Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/savings/issuers/bulletins/notice-2024-539.html