Overview of Canadian Affordability Benefits
Canada offers several federal and provincial programs to help with the cost of living. This guide covers all major affordability payments available to Canadians.
| Benefit |
Payment Frequency |
Income-Tested |
| GST/HST Credit |
Quarterly |
Yes |
| Canada Child Benefit |
Monthly |
Yes |
| Canada Carbon Rebate |
Quarterly |
No |
| OAS/GIS |
Monthly |
Age + income |
| Provincial benefits |
Varies |
Varies |
The 2023 Grocery Rebate (Historical)
What It Was
| Feature |
Details |
| Type |
One-time payment |
| Date paid |
July 5, 2023 |
| Eligibility |
Same as GST/HST credit |
| Application required |
No (automatic) |
Payment Amounts (2023)
| Family Situation |
Maximum Amount |
| Single person |
$234 |
| Couple |
$467 |
| Per child under 19 |
$122 |
| Single parent + 1 child |
$356 |
Current Status
The 2023 Grocery Rebate was a one-time emergency measure. As of 2026, there is no ongoing grocery rebate. Instead, Canadians rely on regular affordability programs.
GST/HST Credit (Ongoing)
The GST/HST credit is the primary federal affordability payment, issued quarterly to offset sales tax costs for low and modest-income households.
2025–2026 Payment Amounts
| Family Situation |
Annual Maximum |
| Single person |
$519 |
| Married/common-law |
$680 |
| Per child under 19 |
$179 |
Payment Dates (2025–2026)
| Payment |
Date |
| July 2025 |
July 5 |
| October 2025 |
October 5 |
| January 2026 |
January 5 |
| April 2026 |
April 5 |
Income Thresholds
| Family Type |
Full Benefit Threshold |
Reduced Benefit Phase-Out |
| Single |
~$42,000 |
Phased out gradually |
| Couple no children |
~$55,000 |
Phased out gradually |
| Family with children |
Higher thresholds |
Phased out gradually |
Eligibility
| Requirement |
Details |
| Age |
19+ (or parent, married, or formerly married) |
| Residency |
Canadian resident |
| Tax filing |
Must file previous year’s return |
| Income |
Below threshold |
Canada Carbon Rebate
Formerly the Climate Action Incentive Payment, this rebate offsets carbon pricing costs.
2025–2026 Annual Amounts (by Province)
| Province |
Single |
Couple |
Per Child |
| Alberta |
$450 |
$675 |
$112.50 |
| Ontario |
$280 |
$420 |
$70 |
| Manitoba |
$300 |
$450 |
$75 |
| Saskatchewan |
$376 |
$564 |
$94 |
| New Brunswick |
$190 |
$285 |
$47.50 |
| Nova Scotia |
$206 |
$309 |
$51.50 |
| PEI |
$220 |
$330 |
$55 |
| Newfoundland |
$298 |
$447 |
$74.50 |
BC and Quebec have their own carbon programs.
Rural Supplement
Residents of small and rural communities receive an additional 20% on their carbon rebate.
Payment Dates
Same as GST/HST credit: January, April, July, October.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
2025–2026 Maximum Amounts
| Age Group |
Maximum Annual Benefit |
| Under 6 |
$7,786.92 |
| 6–17 |
$6,570.00 |
Income Phase-Out
| Family Income |
Reduction |
| Under $36,502 |
Full benefit |
| $36,502–$79,087 |
7% of income over threshold |
| Over $79,087 |
Additional reduction |
Payment Dates
Monthly payments on the 20th of each month.
Provincial Affordability Benefits
Ontario
| Benefit |
Amount |
Eligibility |
| Ontario Trillium Benefit |
Varies |
Low income |
| LIFT Credit |
Up to $875 |
Working low income |
| Ontario Drug Benefit |
Free drugs |
65+ |
British Columbia
| Benefit |
Amount |
Eligibility |
| BC Climate Action Tax Credit |
$504/adult |
Income-tested |
| BC Family Benefit |
Up to $2,125/child |
Low/moderate income |
| BC Electricity Affordability Credit |
One-time credit |
BC Hydro customers |
Alberta
| Benefit |
Amount |
Eligibility |
| Alberta Child and Family Benefit |
Up to $3,600 |
Families with children |
| Alberta Seniors Benefit |
Up to $320/month |
Low-income 65+ |
Quebec
| Benefit |
Amount |
Eligibility |
| QST Credit |
Variable |
Low income |
| Family Allowance |
Variable |
Families with children |
| Senior Assistance |
Variable |
Low-income 65+ |
Other Provinces
Most provinces offer similar tax credits and benefits. Check your province’s Ministry of Finance website for details.
Who Receives Affordability Payments?
Automatic Eligibility (No Application)
| Benefit |
How to Receive |
| GST/HST Credit |
File tax return |
| Carbon Rebate |
File tax return |
| Grocery Rebate (if reintroduced) |
File tax return |
Application Required
| Benefit |
How to Apply |
| Canada Child Benefit |
Apply through CRA |
| OAS/GIS |
Apply at 65 |
| Provincial benefits |
Varies by program |
How to Maximize Your Benefits
File Your Taxes
| Tip |
Reason |
| File every year |
Required for most benefits |
| File even with $0 income |
Still eligible for credits |
| Include all family members |
Children and spouse |
| File on time |
Avoid payment delays |
| Information |
Where to Update |
| Address |
CRA My Account |
| Direct deposit |
CRA My Account |
| Marital status |
CRA My Account |
| Number of children |
CRA (apply for CCB) |
Claim All Deductions
| Deduction |
Benefit |
| RRSP contributions |
Lower net income = higher credits |
| Child care expenses |
Lower net income |
| Moving expenses |
If applicable |
Combined Annual Affordability Benefits
Example: Single Person in Ontario
| Benefit |
Annual Amount |
| GST/HST Credit |
$519 |
| Ontario Trillium Benefit |
~$300 |
| Carbon Rebate |
$280 |
| Total |
~$1,099 |
Example: Family with 2 Children in Alberta
| Benefit |
Annual Amount |
| GST/HST Credit |
$1,038 |
| Carbon Rebate |
$900 |
| Canada Child Benefit |
~$12,000 |
| Alberta Child Benefit |
~$3,000 |
| Total |
~$16,938 |
Actual amounts vary based on income and circumstances.
Payment Dates Summary (2026)
Federal Payments
| Month |
Benefit Paid |
| January 5 |
GST/HST + Carbon Rebate |
| April 5 |
GST/HST + Carbon Rebate |
| July 5 |
GST/HST + Carbon Rebate |
| October 5 |
GST/HST + Carbon Rebate |
| 20th monthly |
Canada Child Benefit |
Tax Filing Deadlines
| Deadline |
Importance |
| April 30 |
File return for eligibility |
| June 15 |
Self-employed deadline |
| July payment |
First payment of benefit year |
Will There Be Another Grocery Rebate?
Factors That Could Trigger Another Payment
| Factor |
Status |
| High inflation |
Currently moderating |
| Food price increases |
Varied |
| Election promises |
Possible |
| Economic downturn |
Not currently |
How It Would Work
If reintroduced, a grocery rebate would likely:
- Use the same GST/HST credit infrastructure
- Be automatic (no application needed)
- Be delivered as a one-time or temporary payment
- Target low and modest-income households
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Grocery Rebate was a one-time payment
- Regular affordability benefits include GST/HST credit, CCB, and Carbon Rebate
- File your taxes to receive benefits automatically
- Provincial programs add additional support
- Keep your CRA information up to date for uninterrupted payments