Government Benefits in Canada: A Guide by Life Situation

Canada’s benefits are spread across dozens of programs run by the federal government and the provinces. This page is a map: it groups them by life situation, says in a sentence or two what each one is, and links to the page with the amounts, eligibility rules and how to apply. For money paid into savings plans, such as RESP and RDSP grants, see government grants; for payment dates, the benefit payment dates calendar. All three are part of the financial planning hub, and the program pages themselves live in the benefits hub.

The step that unlocks most federal benefits is the same: file a tax return every year, even with little or no income, because eligibility and amounts are calculated from it.

Families with children

Canada Child Benefit: a tax-free monthly payment for each child under 18, reduced as family income rises. See also who is eligible and how to apply.
Provincial child benefits, including the BC Family Benefit (paid with the CCB), the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (paid separately from the CCB) and the Quebec Family Allowance (paid by Retraite Québec and based on your Québec return).
EI maternity and parental benefits while on leave (Quebec residents use QPIP instead).

Lower and moderate incomes

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which replaced the GST/HST credit: quarterly, tax-free and based on your return.
Canada Workers Benefit: a refundable tax credit for people working on low incomes, with an advance payment option.
Provincial credits such as the Ontario Trillium Benefit and Quebec solidarity tax credit.
Canada Housing Benefit for renters, delivered through the provinces, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Social assistance, such as Ontario Works and ODSP. The financial help for low-income Canadians page brings these together.

People with disabilities

Disability Tax Credit: a tax credit, and the gateway to the RDSP and the Canada Disability Benefit.
Canada Disability Benefit: a monthly payment for working-age people who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit.
CPP disability benefit for people who have paid into CPP and can’t work.
The RDSP, which receives federal grants and bonds.

Job loss, illness and caregiving

Employment Insurance after a job loss, plus sickness and caregiving benefits. EI needs an application; see how to apply.
If a claim is refused, appealing a benefit denial covers reconsideration and appeals.

Students

Non-repayable Canada Student Grants through provincial student aid, and the tuition tax credit.
The Canada Training Credit for adults going back to school.

Seniors

Old Age Security from age 65, which can be deferred.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income OAS recipients, and the Allowance for some spouses and survivors aged 60 to 64.
CPP retirement pension, plus survivor and death benefits.

Tax credits worth checking

Some help comes as tax credits rather than payments: the medical expense tax credit, caregiver credits, home accessibility tax credit, first-time home buyers’ tax credit and provincial tax credits.

Sources

The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them on September 29, 2026. How we check facts.

Government of Canada: Old Age Security payment amounts