Canadian Government Benefits Programs
Explore 27 federal and provincial benefit programs. Each program page explains eligibility requirements, estimated benefit amounts, and how to apply.
3 programs
Retirement income programs including the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). These programs provide monthly payments to eligible Canadians in retirement.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) - Retirement Pension
The Canada Pension Plan retirement pension is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire. You must have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP to qualify. The standard age to begin receiving the pension is 65, but you can take a permanently reduced pension as early as age 60, or a permanently increased pension if you delay until after 65, up to age 70.
Old Age Security (OAS) Pension
The Old Age Security pension is a monthly payment available to seniors aged 65 and older who meet Canadian legal status and residence requirements. You do not need to have worked or contributed to OAS to be eligible. The amount you receive depends on how long you have lived in Canada after age 18. A full OAS pension requires 40 years of Canadian residence; a partial pension is available with at least 10 years. Benefits increase by 10% automatically when you turn 75.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
The Guaranteed Income Supplement provides a monthly non-taxable benefit to Old Age Security pension recipients who have a low income and are living in Canada. The amount depends on your marital status and income. Single, divorced, or widowed pensioners can receive a higher maximum amount than those with a spouse or common-law partner. GIS must be renewed annually, and eligibility is reassessed based on the previous year's income tax return.
3 programs
Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary financial assistance to Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, or are caring for a new child or critically ill family member.
Employment Insurance (EI) - Regular Benefits
EI regular benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own (e.g., due to shortage of work, seasonal layoffs, or mass layoffs) while they look for work or upgrade their skills. To qualify, you must have accumulated enough insurable employment hours in the qualifying period. The number of hours required varies by regional unemployment rate, ranging from 420 to 700 hours. Benefits are paid at 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum.
Employment Insurance (EI) - Sickness Benefits
EI sickness benefits provide up to 26 weeks of financial assistance to eligible workers who are unable to work because of illness, injury, or quarantine. You need a medical certificate to support your claim. You must have accumulated at least 600 insurable hours in the qualifying period (the shorter of the 52-week period before your claim or since your last claim). Benefits are calculated at 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings.
Employment Insurance (EI) - Parental Benefits
EI parental benefits are available to parents caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. Both biological and adoptive parents can share parental benefits. There are two options: standard parental benefits provide 55% of earnings for up to 40 weeks (maximum 35 weeks for one parent), and extended parental benefits provide 33% of earnings for up to 69 weeks (maximum 61 weeks for one parent). You must choose one option and it cannot be changed once selected.
3 programs
Financial support for Canadians living with disabilities, including the Canada Disability Benefit and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
Canada Disability Benefit
The Canada Disability Benefit is a new federal income supplement for working-age persons with disabilities who hold a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and have low income. The benefit provides up to $200 per month to eligible individuals aged 18 to 64. The amount is income-tested and begins to be reduced once income exceeds specified thresholds that vary by marital status. The benefit is intended to supplement, not replace, existing provincial and territorial disability support programs.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a long-term savings plan to help Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. The government provides matching Canada Disability Savings Grants of up to $3,500 per year (up to a $70,000 lifetime limit) and Canada Disability Savings Bonds of up to $1,000 per year (up to a $20,000 lifetime limit) for low-income beneficiaries, without requiring personal contributions. The plan must be opened before the beneficiary turns 60, and grants/bonds are paid until the end of the year they turn 49.
Manitoba Primary Caregiver Tax Credit
The Manitoba Primary Caregiver Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit of $1,400 per year for individuals who provide ongoing unpaid care to a person assessed as requiring Care Level 2, 3, or 4 under the Manitoba Home Care Program. A caregiver may claim up to three care recipients at any one time, for a maximum total credit of $4,200 per year. The credit is not income-tested, meaning it can be claimed even if the caregiver has no taxable income. The amount is prorated based on the portion of the year care was provided, after an initial qualification period of 90 consecutive days.
6 programs
Benefits for families with children, including the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and maternity and parental leave benefits to support parents during the early years.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The amount is based on your adjusted family net income, the number of children, and their ages. For the July 2024 to June 2025 benefit year, the maximum annual benefit is $7,787 per child under 6 and $6,570 per child aged 6 to 17. Benefits are reduced as family net income exceeds $36,502, with different reduction rates based on the number of children.
EI Maternity and Parental Benefits
EI maternity benefits are available to biological mothers, including surrogate mothers, who cannot work because they are pregnant or have recently given birth. Maternity benefits can be paid for a maximum of 15 weeks at 55% of insurable earnings. These can be combined with parental benefits. Standard parental benefits provide 55% of earnings for up to 40 shared weeks (35 weeks max for one parent). Extended parental benefits provide 33% of earnings for up to 69 shared weeks (61 weeks max for one parent). Parents must choose one option and share the benefit weeks between them.
Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) Tax Credit
The Ontario CARE Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that helps families with child care expenses. The credit provides up to 75% of eligible child care expenses for families with incomes under $20,000, with the rate gradually decreasing to 0% for family incomes above $150,000. The maximum eligible expenses are $6,000 per child under 7, $3,750 per child aged 7 to 16, and $8,250 per child with a severe disability. The credit is claimed on the annual tax return.
B.C. Family Benefit
The B.C. Family Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment to families with children under 18. For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year (based on 2024 tax return), the maximum annual benefit is $1,750 for the first child, $1,100 for the second child, and $900 for each subsequent child. Families with adjusted family net income under $29,526 receive the full amount. Benefits are reduced for incomes between $29,526 and $94,483, with a guaranteed minimum, and further reduced by 4% of income above $94,483.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit provides financial assistance to lower and middle-income families with children under 18. It has two components: a base component and a working component. For 2024, the maximum quarterly base component is $367.25 for the first child and $183.75 for each additional child (up to four children). The base component is reduced when family net income exceeds $27,024 and phases out at $45,285. Families with working income above $2,760 may also receive the working component. Payments are issued quarterly in August, November, February, and May.
Quebec Family Allowance
The Quebec Family Allowance (Allocation famille) is a tax-free payment made by Retraite Quebec to eligible families with children under 18. For 2024, the maximum annual amount is $2,923 per child. The amount varies based on family income and is gradually reduced when family income exceeds $57,822. Families may also receive a supplement for handicapped children ($2,832 annually) and a school supply supplement ($124 per child aged 4 to 16 in July). Payments are made monthly or quarterly depending on the amount.
2 programs
Financial assistance for students and lifelong learners, including student loans, grants, and education savings incentives like the Canada Learning Bond.
Canada Student Loans and Grants
The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program provides loans and grants to help eligible post-secondary students pay for their education. Canada Student Grants are non-repayable and awarded based on financial need, family income, and study load. Full-time students from low-income families can receive up to $4,200 per year in grants. Additional grants are available for students with permanent disabilities, students with dependants, and part-time students. Canada Student Loans cover remaining assessed financial need. Interest on loans is waived during studies and the federal portion of student loans is interest-free.
Canada Learning Bond (CLB)
The Canada Learning Bond is money that the Government of Canada deposits into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for children from low-income families. No personal contributions are required. Eligible children receive an initial $500 payment in the first eligible year, plus $100 for each additional year of eligibility, up to age 15, for a maximum lifetime amount of $2,000. To be eligible, the child must be born on or after January 1, 2004, the family must be entitled to the Canada Child Benefit, and family net income must be below the specified threshold.
2 programs
Programs to help Canadians buy their first home, including the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) for RRSP withdrawals.
First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
The First Home Savings Account is a registered plan that allows prospective first-time home buyers to save for their first home tax-free. Contributions are tax-deductible (like an RRSP) and withdrawals to purchase a qualifying first home are non-taxable (like a TFSA). You can contribute up to $8,000 per year with a lifetime contribution limit of $40,000. Unused contribution room can be carried forward to the next year, up to a maximum of $8,000. The account must be closed within 15 years of opening or by December 31 of the year you turn 71.
Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)
The Home Buyers' Plan allows you to withdraw up to $60,000 from your registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) to buy or build a qualifying home for yourself or a specified disabled person. The withdrawal is not included in your income for tax purposes, but you must repay the amount to your RRSP within 15 years, starting the second year after the year of the withdrawal. The minimum annual repayment is 1/15 of the total amount withdrawn. If you do not repay the required amount in a given year, the shortfall is added to your income for that year.
1 program
Health-related benefits including the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which provides dental coverage to eligible Canadians without existing dental insurance.
7 programs
Refundable tax credits that put money back in your pocket, including the GST/HST Credit and the Canada Workers Benefit for low- and modest-income earners.
GST/HST Credit
The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that they pay. You are automatically considered for this credit when you file your income tax return. For the July 2024 to June 2025 payment period (2023 base year), the maximum annual amounts are $519 for a single individual without children, $680 for a couple without children, and $179 for each child under 19. Single parents also receive a $179 supplement. The credit is reduced by 5% of adjusted family net income above $44,324. Payments are issued quarterly in July, October, January, and April.
Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)
The Canada Workers Benefit is a refundable tax credit intended to supplement the earnings of low-income workers. It consists of a basic amount and a disability supplement. For the 2024 tax year, the maximum basic amount is $1,518 for single individuals and $2,616 for families. To be eligible, you must be at least 19 years old (or have a spouse/common-law partner or a dependent child), be a resident of Canada, and have working income above $3,000. The benefit is phased in as working income increases and phased out as adjusted family net income exceeds specified thresholds.
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a combined monthly payment of three Ontario credits: the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC), and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC). For the July 2025 to June 2026 payment period (based on your 2024 tax return), the OSTC provides up to $371 per adult and per child in a family. The OEPTC provides up to $1,283 for non-seniors (18-64) or up to $1,481 for seniors (65+). The NOEC provides up to $185 for singles or up to $285 for families. Benefits are income-tested and reduced as family net income exceeds applicable thresholds.
BC Climate Action Tax Credit
The BC Climate Action Tax Credit is a tax-free quarterly payment to help low and modest income individuals and families offset the carbon taxes they pay. For the July 2024 to June 2025 payment period, the maximum annual credit is $504.00 per individual, $252.00 for a spouse or common-law partner, and $126.00 per child ($252.00 for the first child of a single parent). Payments are issued quarterly combined with the federal GST/HST credit. Note: The BC Climate Action Tax Credit program ended with the April 2025 payment being the final payment.
Quebec Solidarity Tax Credit
The Quebec Solidarity Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that combines three components: the QST component, the housing component, and the northern village component. For the July 2024 to June 2025 period, the QST component provides up to $346 per individual and $346 for a spouse, plus $164 for a person living alone. The housing component provides up to $711 for a person living alone or single-parent family, $863 for a couple, and $151 per dependent child. The total credit is reduced based on family income above $41,150. Payments are made monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on the total amount.
Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit (SLITC)
The Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit is a fully refundable, non-taxable quarterly benefit for Saskatchewan residents with low and modest incomes. For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, the maximum annual amounts are $429 per adult, $429 for a spouse or common-law partner (or eligible dependant), and $169 per child (maximum of two children), for a total family maximum of $1,196 per year. The credit begins to reduce when adjusted family net income exceeds $38,588. Payments are delivered quarterly by the CRA alongside the federal GST/HST credit.
Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit (NSALTC)
The Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit is a non-taxable quarterly payment designed to help low and modest-income individuals and families with the cost of living. For the July 2025 to June 2026 payment period (based on the 2024 tax return), the maximum annual credit is $255 for an individual or couple, plus $60 for each child under 19. The credit is reduced by 5% of adjusted family net income above $30,000. Payments are issued quarterly by the CRA, typically combined with the federal GST/HST credit payments.
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