CRA Benefits & Credits

Benefits and credits can provide extra financial support to individuals and families. What you may receive depends on your income, family situation, province of residence, and other eligibility requirements.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for eligible families who are raising children under 18 years old. The amount you receive depends mainly on your family income, number of children, and their ages.

You need to apply for CCB. Filing your income tax return does not automatically start a new CCB application.

Newcomers to Canada: You may be able to apply once you and your child meet the CCB eligibility requirements. Your eligibility also depends on your immigration/status situation.

Temporary Residents: If you or your spouse/common-law partner is a temporary resident, at least one of you must have lived in Canada for the previous 18 months and have a valid qualifying permit in the 19th month to meet the temporary-resident status requirement.

The child does not have to live in Canada for 18 months. The 18-month requirement applies to the eligible parent or spouse/common-law partner, not the child.

Permanent Residents: The 18-month temporary-resident waiting rule does not apply to permanent residents. You may apply once you meet the other CCB eligibility requirements.

Married or Common-Law: CRA uses the income of both spouses/common-law partners to calculate the CCB. Both should file their tax returns every year, even if one has little or no income.

Already Receiving CCB? You generally do not need to reapply every year. However, you and your spouse/common-law partner, if applicable, need to file your tax returns every year so CRA can calculate your benefit for the next benefit year.

Changes in Your Situation: Tell CRA if there are important changes, such as marital status, address, custody of a child, or a child leaving your care, because these can affect your CCB.

Payment: Monthly.

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is a tax-free payment for eligible individuals and families with low or modest incomes. Starting in July 2026, it replaces the former GST/HST Credit.

Payment: Quarterly

Married or Common-Law?
The CGEB is calculated as a family benefit. If your spouse or common-law partner is already receiving the CGEB, that payment is generally your family's benefit. You will not normally receive another separate CGEB payment. CRA uses the income and information of both spouses to calculate the amount.

New to Canada?
Newcomers may qualify after becoming a resident of Canada. CRA may ask for your income and your spouse/common-law partner's income from before you came to Canada, including income earned outside Canada. This information is used to determine your eligibility and calculate your benefit after becoming a resident.

Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)

The ACWB provides advance payments of the Canada Workers Benefit to eligible lower-income workers.

Payment: Generally July, October and January.

Why did someone get it and I didn't?
Not everyone who works qualifies. Eligibility depends on your income, family income, marital status, student status, dependants and other circumstances. Two people with similar incomes may not receive the same benefit.

Post-Secondary Students:
Full-time post-secondary students for more than 13 weeks generally do not qualify for CWB unless they have an eligible dependant.

Important: Always provide your T2202 when filing. If it was missing and CWB was initially calculated, CRA may later reassess your return after receiving your student information. If you were not eligible and already received ACWB payments, you may have to pay some or all of the amount back.

Child Disability Benefit (CDB)

A tax-free benefit for families caring for a child under 18 who is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). It is generally paid together with the Canada Child Benefit.

Payment: Monthly

Provincial & Territorial Benefits Paid Through CRA

These depend on the province or territory where the person lives. Examples include:

Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) — Alberta
Payments for eligible lower- and middle-income families with children.

Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) — Ontario
Combines certain Ontario energy, property tax and sales tax credits. Payments may be monthly or, depending on the amount/election, issued differently.

Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) — Ontario
For eligible families with children and generally paid together with the CCB.

BC Family Benefit — British Columbia
Tax-free payments for eligible families with children, generally paid with the CCB.

BC Climate Action Tax Credit — British Columbia
Income-tested provincial payment administered through CRA.

New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit — New Brunswick
Support for eligible families with children, generally included with CCB payments.

Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit — Newfoundland and Labrador
Support for eligible lower-income families with children.

Nova Scotia Child Benefit — Nova Scotia
Payments for eligible families with children, generally combined with CCB payments.

Prince Edward Island Sales Tax Credit — PEI
Income-tested provincial credit administered through the tax system.

Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit — Saskatchewan
Tax-free payments for eligible lower-income residents, generally issued with the GST/HST credit.

Northwest Territories Cost of Living Offset — Northwest Territories
Tax-free payments intended to help eligible residents with living costs.

Nunavut Carbon Credit — Nunavut
A tax-free payment for eligible Nunavut residents.

Yukon Child Benefit — Yukon
Tax-free support for eligible families with children, generally combined with the CCB.