Government Benefits in Canada: What You Can Get, by Situation and Province

Canada’s benefits come from two places: the federal government and your province or territory. Many federal payments start from your tax return: when you file, the CRA considers you for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and related provincial programs, and you claim the Canada Workers Benefit on the return itself. Others you apply for through Service Canada, such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This page lists the main programs by who they’re for and by province, with a link to the page that explains each one. Canada.ca’s Benefits Finder also lists federal programs that match the support types and groups you choose.

On this page: Federal benefits · By situation · By province · Filing to get benefits · Rebates this year · Benefits Finder · Payment dates

Which federal benefits can you get?

Who each program is for, in its own words, and how it starts. Amounts and full conditions are on each program’s page.

Tax credits you claim on your own return, such as tuition or medical expenses, are covered in the deductions and credits hub.

What can you get in your situation?

Children

The CCB is the federal payment for people caring for a child under 18 (how to apply). Most provinces’ and territories’ child benefits come with it, with no separate application: see provincial child benefits. Education savings grants need an RESP (grants).

Low income

The grocery benefit and the Canada Workers Benefit come through your return. In Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Benefit combines three provincial credits. For income assistance and other help, see help for low-income Canadians.

Workers, job loss and sickness

The Canada Workers Benefit can be partly paid in advance (advance payments). EI covers job loss, sickness, caregiving and parental leave. See also working while on maternity leave.

Disability

Start with disability benefits in Canada, which sets out the order. Several programs need the disability tax credit first, including the Canada Disability Benefit and the RDSP. CPP disability is for people unable to work; Ontario has ODSP.

Newcomers

New residents apply for the grocery benefit with Form RC151 and for the CCB through its newcomer steps. After that, the CCB depends on filing a return every year, and the grocery benefit on filing your return. More in the newcomers hub.

Seniors

OAS and the GIS usually start without an application; the CPP pension starts when you apply. Some provinces pay their own benefit to low-income seniors: the Alberta Seniors Benefit, for example, is for low-income seniors who get the OAS pension (provincial top-ups). Survivors: the Allowance for the Survivor at 60 to 64 and the CPP survivor’s pension.

Students

Full-time students in financial need are assessed for the Canada Student Grant when they apply for provincial or territorial student aid (student grants). See also grants for students and the tuition tax credit.

Dental and drug costs

The Canadian Dental Care Plan pays part of the cost of many dental services (applying, coverage). In Ontario, the Trillium Drug Program helps with prescription costs that are high compared to household income.

Child care

BC pays the Affordable Child Care Benefit monthly toward child care costs. If you’re eligible, you can deduct some child care expenses on your return (child care expense deduction). Fees by province are compared in child care costs by province.

What does your province or territory pay?

Provinces and territories run their own programs. The CRA pays many of them with your federal benefits: most provincial and territorial child benefits come with the CCB, and filing your return gets you considered for provincial programs tied to the grocery benefit. Each program links to the page that covers it, and the last column to the province’s own site.

Why does filing a tax return matter?

The CRA works out the CCB, the grocery benefit and related provincial payments from your return. For the CCB, you have to file every year, even with no income, and payments stop if you don’t. A spouse or common-law partner has to file too. The dental plan also needs a filed return. More in benefits and your tax return.

What rebates are being paid this year?

• The GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026.
• The federal government stopped the Canada Carbon Rebate for individuals on March 15, 2025 (what happened).
• Alberta introduced a one-time Alberta Energy Rebate in summer 2026. Applications are open until October 31, 2026 (who qualifies).

For other programs that ended or were renamed, see ended and renamed benefits.

How do you find everything you qualify for?

Canada.ca’s Benefits Finder lists federal programs and supports: each support type or audience you pick adds programs to the list, and picking both a support type and an audience shows only the programs that match both. Ontario’s Find benefits and programs filters Ontario’s benefits and tax credits, but doesn’t decide whether you’re eligible. The province table links each province’s own site.

When are benefits paid?

Payment dates are in the benefit payment calendar (for example CCB, grocery benefit and CPP and OAS), and your CRA account shows your next payment. An unfamiliar deposit is explained in government deposit codes, and a refused or cut benefit in appealing a benefit decision.