Every benefit cheque you could be eligible for in Canada in 2026

With the cost of living continuing to strain household budgets, government benefit payments remain an important source of financial support for many people across the country.

Here’s a look at all the benefit cheques eligible Canadians could receive in 2026:

Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security

The Canadian retirement benefits system includes the Old Age Security pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Allowance for the Survivor, along with the Canadian Pension Plan.

CPP: Residents over 65 are eligible for a maximum monthly payment of $1,433.
OAS Pension: Individuals aged 65 to 74 with an annual income below $148,451 can receive up to $707.67 per month. Those 75 and over with an income below $154,196 may receive up to $899.67 monthly.

Eligible individuals should note that the OAS pension is reviewed quarterly—in January, April, July, and October—to reflect increases in the cost of living based on the Consumer Price Index. Importantly, payments will not decrease if the cost of living goes down.

The payment dates are as follows:

• Jan. 28
• Feb. 25
• March 27
• April 28
• May 27
• June 26
• July 29
• Aug. 27
• Sept. 25
• Oct. 28
• Nov. 26
• Dec. 22

Canada Child Benefit

The Canada Revenue Agency oversees the tax-free monthly Child Tax Credit benefit, designed for eligible families supporting children under 18. The CCB may incorporate the child disability benefit along with relevant provincial and territorial programs. Here are the payment dates:

• Jan. 20
• Feb. 20
• March 20
• April 20
• May 20
• June 19
• July 20
• Aug. 20
• Sept. 18
• Oct. 20
• Nov. 20
• Dec. 11

The Ontario Child Benefit offers up to $1,607 annually per child, depending on an individual’s family net income and the number of children under 18 in their care.

Ontario Trillium Benefit

The Ontario Trillium Benefit, disbursed on a monthly basis, includes the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. There are the payment dates:

• Jan. 9
• Feb. 10
• March 10
• April 10
• May 8
• June 10
• July 10
• Aug. 10
• Sept. 10
• Oct. 9
• Nov. 10
• Dec. 10

GST/HST refund

This credit is a tax-free quarterly payment aimed at assisting individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset the GST or HST that they pay.

The payment dates are as follows:

• Jan. 5
• April 2
• July 3
• Oct. 5

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The federal government has introduced the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit to help offset rising food and everyday costs for low- and modest-income Canadians.

One-time top-up: Eligible individuals and families will receive a lump-sum payment in June equal to a 50 per cent increase of their annual GST/HST credit.

A family of four with a net income of $40,000 could receive about $533, while a single person earning $25,000 annually could receive approximately $266.

Ongoing payments: Starting July 2026, the benefit will increase by 25 per cent for five years and be paid quarterly (July, October, January and April), providing continued support to help cover day-to-day essentials.

Taken together, the federal government says a family of four could receive up to $1,890 this year, while a single individual could receive up to $950 through the enhanced benefit.

The benefit builds on the existing GST/HST credit and is indexed to inflation. It is expected to support more than 12 million Canadians, including approximately 500,000 new recipients.

Eligible individuals do not need to apply, but must file their 2024 and 2025 tax returns to receive payments.

Advanced Canada Workers Benefit

The Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) is a refundable tax credit to help low-income individuals and families who are working. The benefit consists of a basic amount and a disability supplement. Below are the payments going out:

• Jan. 12
• July 10
• Oct. 9

As per the CRA’s website, the maximum basic amount for the benefit is $1,428 for single individuals and $2,461 for families. Single individuals with an adjusted net income exceeding $33,015 are not eligible for the basic amount, while for families, the adjusted net income is $43,212.

The disability supplement offers a maximum of $737 for singles and families. Ineligibility applies to individuals if their net income exceeds $37,932, and for families, it’s a household income between $48,124 and $53,037, depending on spouse eligibility.

Canada Disability Benefit

The Canada Disability Benefit provides financial support to eligible adults with disabilities between 18 and 64. Recipients will receive their benefits monthly and may be eligible for up to 24 months of back pay, but only for periods after June 2025.

The benefit pays a maximum of $200 per month, or $2,400 a year, from July 2025 to June 2026, with yearly adjustments for inflation.

• Jan. 15
• Feb. 19
• March 19
• April 16
• May 21
• June 18
• July 20
• Aug. 20
• Sept. 17
• Oct. 15
• Nov. 19
• Dec. 17

The amount a person receives is income-tested and depends on factors such as household income, marital status and whether they or their spouse has employment earnings.

Veteran Disability Pension

The veteran disability pension is a tax-free monthly payment that supports veterans and service members with service-related injuries or illnesses.

• Jan. 30
• Feb. 27
• March 28
• April 29
• May 29
• June 27
• July 30
• Aug. 28
• Sept. 26
• Oct. 30
• Nov. 27
• Dec. 23

Eligibility includes Canadian Armed Forces members, RCMP members, and Second World War or Korean War veterans, including some who served in the Second World War. Recipients can choose either Pain and Suffering Compensation—a lifetime monthly or lump sum payment—or a Disability Pension with added support for dependents.

Benefits for children under 25

Part-time students aged 18 to 24 with a parent who is deceased or disabled and contributed to the Canada Pension Plan may now qualify for financial support.
Eligible part-time students will receive a monthly flat rate of $150.89 starting in 2025, though payment dates have yet to be released.

This new benefit aligns with the existing program for full-time students, who will receive $301.77 per month in 2025.

To qualify for the benefit, part-time students must meet a minimum school attendance requirement.