Every amount checked on canada.ca, October 21, 2026
Government benefits in Canada: what you can get, how much, and when it pays
25 government benefits, credits and programs in one place, with 2026 amounts, who qualifies and the next payment dates. Answer six quick questions and we will show the ones worth checking for your household.
$8,157Most CCB per child under 6, July 2026 to June 2027
$762.50Top OAS pension a month at 65 to 74, Oct to Dec 2026
$729Highest weekly EI payment in 2026
$90,000Family income limit for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
Browse by life situation
Benefit finder
Six questions, about one minute. Nothing you type leaves your browser. The result is a shortlist to check, not a decision: each program has its own rules.
0 benefits worth checking$0Counted at full rates only where your answers point to the maximum. Everything else depends on income or your situation.
All benefits, with 2026 amounts
25 shown
Families and children
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
- Who
- Families with children under 18.
- How much
- Up to $8,157 a year per child under 6 and $6,883 per child aged 6 to 17 (July 2026 to June 2027). Payments start to shrink when adjusted family net income passes $38,237.
- How to get it
- Apply when you register a birth, in CRA My Account or with Form RC66, then file your taxes every year.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Cost of livingFamilies and children
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)
- Who
- Low and modest income people 19 or older, and younger parents or partners. It replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026.
- How much
- Up to $679 if single, $890 for a couple, plus $234 for each child under 19 (July 2026 to June 2027). Paid four times a year.
- How to get it
- Automatic when you file your taxes. Newcomers use Form RC151.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Seniors and pensions
Old Age Security (OAS)
- Who
- People 65 or older who have lived in Canada at least 10 years since age 18.
- How much
- Up to $762.50 a month at 65 to 74 and $838.75 at 75 or older (October to December 2026). Higher incomes repay part of it, starting above $93,454 of 2025 net world income.
- How to get it
- Many people are enrolled automatically. If you get a letter asking you to apply, apply online.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Seniors and pensionsWork and job loss
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement
- Who
- Anyone who worked in Canada and paid into the CPP.
- How much
- Up to $1,507.65 a month at 65 in 2026. The average new pension at 65 was $858.34 (July 2026). Starting at 60 cuts it 0.6% a month; waiting to 70 adds 0.7% a month.
- How to get it
- Apply online through My Service Canada Account.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Work and job loss
Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits
- Who
- Workers who lost their job through no fault of their own and have 420 to 700 insured hours, depending on the region.
- How much
- 55% of your earnings, up to $729 a week, for 14 to 45 weeks. Maximum insurable earnings are $68,900 in 2026.
- How to get it
- Apply online as soon as you stop working, even if you have not received your record of employment.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Health and dental
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
- Who
- Canadian residents with no access to dental insurance and adjusted family net income under $90,000. You and your partner must have filed taxes.
- How much
- Covers part of your dental costs. No co-pay under $70,000 of income, 40% from $70,000 to $79,999, 60% from $80,000 to $89,999.
- How to get it
- Apply online. Applications are open for the 2026 to 2027 benefit period.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Seniors and pensionsCost of living
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Who
- Low-income seniors who get OAS.
- How much
- Up to $1,138.90 a month for a single person with income under $23,112 (October to December 2026).
- How to get it
- Paid with OAS. File your taxes every year so it is renewed.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Disability
Canada Disability Benefit
- Who
- Adults 18 to 64 approved for the disability tax credit who filed their 2025 taxes, along with their partner.
- How much
- Up to $204.20 a month (July 2026 to June 2027). The full amount goes to single people with adjusted family net income of $23,000 or less, or couples at $32,500 or less.
- How to get it
- Apply online with Service Canada. Payments arrive on the third Thursday of each month.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Work and job lossCost of living
Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)
- Who
- Low-income workers 19 or older.
- How much
- Up to $1,633 if single or $2,813 for a family for the 2025 tax year, plus up to $843 more with a disability. Nothing is paid above $37,742 (single) or $49,393 (family).
- How to get it
- Claim it on your tax return. You can get up to 50% in advance payments.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Disability
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
- Who
- People with a severe and prolonged impairment, or a family member who supports them.
- How much
- A non-refundable tax credit. Approval also opens the RDSP, the Child Disability Benefit, the Canada Disability Benefit and the CWB disability supplement.
- How to get it
- Form T2201, certified by a medical practitioner, sent through the digital application or by mail.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Families and childrenWork and job loss
EI maternity and parental benefits
- Who
- Parents who qualify for EI and are off work for a birth or adoption.
- How much
- Maternity: up to 15 weeks. Standard parental: up to 40 weeks shared, at 55% and up to $729 a week. Extended parental: up to 69 weeks shared, at 33% and up to $437 a week.
- How to get it
- Apply online through Service Canada.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Health and dentalWork and job loss
EI sickness benefits
- Who
- Workers who cannot work because of illness, injury or quarantine.
- How much
- Up to 26 weeks at 55% of earnings, up to $729 a week.
- How to get it
- Apply online with a medical certificate.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Disability
CPP disability benefit
- Who
- CPP contributors under 65 who cannot work regularly because of a disability.
- How much
- Up to $1,741.20 a month in 2026.
- How to get it
- Apply through Service Canada with medical information.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Families and childrenDisability
Child Disability Benefit
- Who
- Families caring for a child approved for the disability tax credit.
- How much
- Up to $3,480 a year ($290 a month) per child, paid with the CCB. It starts to shrink above $82,847 of adjusted family net income.
- How to get it
- Get the child approved for the DTC; the benefit is then added to your CCB.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Students and educationFamilies and children
Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)
- Who
- Children with a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).
- How much
- 20% of the first $2,500 you contribute each year, up to $500 a year and $7,200 per child in total.
- How to get it
- Paid into the RESP automatically when you contribute.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Students and educationFamilies and childrenCost of living
Canada Learning Bond (CLB)
- Who
- Children born in 2004 or later in lower-income families. For July 2026 to June 2027, income at or below $58,523 for one to three children.
- How much
- $500 for the first year plus $100 a year, up to $2,000. No contribution needed.
- How to get it
- Open an RESP and ask the provider to apply. The child must apply before turning 21.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Students and education
Canada Student Grant for full-time students
- Who
- Full-time post-secondary students with financial need.
- How much
- Up to $4,200 a year ($525 a month of study) until the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year.
- How to get it
- Apply through your provincial or territorial student aid program.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Housing and first homes
First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
- Who
- First-time home buyers.
- How much
- Contribute $8,000 a year, tax-deductible, up to $40,000 in total. Qualifying withdrawals for a first home are tax-free.
- How to get it
- Open one at a bank, credit union or brokerage.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Housing and first homes
Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)
- Who
- First-time buyers with RRSP savings.
- How much
- Withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSPs to buy or build a home, then repay it over time.
- How to get it
- Fill out Form T1036 with your RRSP issuer.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Housing and first homes
First-time home buyers’ amount
- Who
- People who bought a qualifying first home.
- How much
- Claim up to $10,000 on line 31270 of your tax return, a non-refundable credit.
- How to get it
- Claim it on the return for the year you bought.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Housing and first homesCost of living
Canada Housing Benefit
- Who
- Renters in need. It is co-funded by Ottawa and delivered by each province and territory.
- How much
- Monthly help with housing costs. Amounts and rules are set by your province or territory.
- How to get it
- Apply through your provincial or territorial housing program.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Seniors and pensionsCost of living
The Allowance (OAS)
- Who
- People aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner gets the GIS.
- How much
- Up to $1,448.06 a month if combined couple income is under $42,768 (October to December 2026).
- How to get it
- Apply through Service Canada.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Home and energy rebates
Home energy, heat pump and EV rebates
- Who
- Homeowners and drivers in programs that are open in your province.
- How much
- Federal and provincial rebates for heat pumps, insulation and electric vehicles. Amounts and deadlines vary by program.
- How to get it
- Read our guides for what is open now and how to apply.
Veterans and Indigenous
Veterans benefits
- Who
- Veterans, serving members and their families.
- How much
- Disability benefits, career transition, health and financial support from Veterans Affairs Canada.
- How to get it
- Apply through My VAC Account.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
Veterans and Indigenous
Benefits for Indigenous Peoples
- Who
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
- How much
- Rights and benefits guaranteed to Indigenous Peoples in Canada, from health coverage to education support.
- How to get it
- See the Government of Canada directory.
Gizly guide coming soonOfficial page
No benefit matches that search. Try a broader word, such as child, pension or dental.
Benefit payment dates, rest of 2026
From the Government of Canada payment calendar. The next date for each program is highlighted. Wait 5 to 10 business days before contacting the program about a late payment.
| Program | Dates |
|---|---|
| Canada Child Benefit | |
| Groceries and Essentials Benefit | |
| Canada Pension Plan | |
| Old Age Security | |
| Canada Disability Benefit | |
| Veterans disability pension | |
| Ontario Trillium Benefit | |
| Alberta Child and Family Benefit |
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is paid on the 5th of January, April, July and October, or the last business day before. The 2027 dates for other programs were not posted when we checked.
The one step that unlocks most of this
File a tax return every year, even with little or no income. The CRA uses it to pay the Canada Child Benefit and the Groceries and Essentials Benefit, and programs like the Canada Disability Benefit and the dental plan check it before they pay.
- File every yearYour return sets the benefit amounts paid from July to the next June.
- Set up direct depositPayments land in your account instead of arriving by mail.
- Keep your address and marital status currentChanges can raise or lower what you get.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to file taxes to get government benefits?
For most federal benefits, yes. The CRA works out the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit from your tax return, and the Canada Disability Benefit and the Canadian Dental Care Plan also require filed returns. File every year, even if you had little or no income.
What replaced the GST/HST credit?
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026. The rules are the same, and the amount was raised by 25% for five years, from 2026 to 2031. For July 2026 to June 2027 the maximum is $679 for a single person, $890 for a couple and $234 per child under 19.
When is the next Canada Child Benefit payment?
The remaining 2026 CCB payment dates are November 20 and December 11, 2026. The Government of Canada had not posted 2027 dates when we checked on October 21, 2026.
How much is Old Age Security right now?
For October to December 2026, the maximum OAS pension is $762.50 a month at ages 65 to 74 and $838.75 at 75 or older. Low-income seniors can also get the Guaranteed Income Supplement, up to $1,138.90 a month for a single person.
Who can get the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Canadian residents who have no access to dental insurance, filed their taxes, and have adjusted family net income under $90,000. Below $70,000 there is no co-pay. Applications are open for the 2026 to 2027 benefit period.
How much does EI pay a week?
EI regular, sickness, maternity and standard parental benefits pay 55% of your insurable earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026. Extended parental benefits pay 33%, up to $437 a week.
Sources and how we check
Every amount above was read on the official Government of Canada page on October 21, 2026. We note each page’s own modified date. Amounts change every January, July or quarter, and we update this page when they do.
- Canada.ca: Benefits (page modified 2026-09-24)
- Benefit payment dates (page modified 2026-08-07)
- CRA: How much CCB you can get (page modified 2026-10-05)
- CRA: RC4210, Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (page modified 2026-07-02)
- CRA: Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (page modified 2026-06-08)
- CRA: Canada Workers Benefit amounts (page modified 2026-04-08)
- Canada Disability Benefit: amount (page modified 2026-09-15)
- CRA: Child Disability Benefit (page modified 2026-06-15)
- OAS payment amounts (page modified 2026-09-29)
- OAS recovery tax (page modified 2026-09-29)
- GIS amounts (page modified 2026-10-13)
- Allowance amounts (page modified 2026-10-13)
- CPP amounts (page modified 2026-10-13)
- CPP: when to start (page modified 2026-10-02)
- CPP disability amounts (page modified 2026-10-13)
- EI regular benefit amount (page modified 2026-10-19)
- EI eligibility (page modified 2026-10-15)
- EI maternity and parental (page modified 2026-06-02)
- CDCP: who qualifies (page modified 2026-09-22)
- CDCP: coverage and co-pay (page modified 2026-08-27)
- Canada Student Grant, full-time (page modified 2026-08-31)
- CESG amounts (page modified 2026-08-10)
- CRA: Canada Learning Bond (page modified 2026-02-27)
- CLB income limits, July 2026 (page modified 2026-07-29)
- CRA: Contributing to your FHSA (page modified 2026-09-17)
- CRA: Home Buyers’ Plan withdrawals (page modified 2026-01-20)
- CRA: Line 31270 home buyers’ amount (page modified 2026-07-29)
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Eligibility rules have more detail than a summary can show, so confirm on the official page before you apply. Gizly is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. See our affiliate disclosure and how we check the numbers.