Updated on September 4, 2026  |  Reviewed by the MB Tax Solutions team  |  Sources: Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada

If you receive federal benefits in Canada, knowing exactly when the money lands matters for planning rent, groceries and bills. This guide brings together the confirmed 2026 payment dates for the main federal and provincial programs, straight from the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada.

Quick reference: all 2026 benefits at a glance

You do not need to apply for the CGEB. When you file your tax return, you are automatically considered for it and for related provincial and territorial programs. That is one more reason to file your tax return even in a year with little or no income.

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)

Who is eligible: individuals and families with low and modest incomes. Eligibility is assessed automatically from your tax return, so filing is the only way to receive it.

Because the transition happened mid-year, 2026 has payments under both names:

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

Who is eligible: parents or guardians primarily responsible for a child under 18 who are residents of Canada for tax purposes. The amount depends on family net income, the number of children and their ages.

Payments usually land on the 20th, but June, September and December come earlier:

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS)

CPP: for people aged 60 or older who contributed while working in Canada. The plan also pays disability and survivor benefits.

OAS: generally for people aged 65 or older who meet the residency requirements. It does not depend on your work history.

Both follow the same calendar, always in the last week of the month:

OAS amounts are reviewed every quarter against the Consumer Price Index, so the value can change in January, April, July and October. Current figures are on the Service Canada payment amounts page. Planning around retirement income also affects how much tax you pay, which we cover in our guide on investing wisely to reduce your taxes.

Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)

Who is eligible: Ontario residents who qualify for at least one of the three credits it combines: the Ontario energy and property tax credit, the Northern Ontario energy credit and the Ontario sales tax credit.

If you are still getting familiar with how income is taxed in Canada, our complete guide to the Canadian tax system explains the brackets, the deductions and the most common mistakes.

Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)

Who is eligible: workers with low income who qualify for the Canada Workers Benefit. The advance pays part of the amount during the year instead of only at tax time.

2026 dates: January 12, July 10 and October 9.

Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)

Who is eligible: Alberta families with children under 18 and income below the provincial threshold.

2026 dates: February 27, May 27, August 27 and November 27.

Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit (NLDB)

What to do if a payment does not arrive

The CRA asks you to wait 10 business days after the scheduled date before contacting them. Most delays come from three causes, and all three are avoidable:

• A tax return that was not filed, which suspends the benefit calculation
• Outdated banking details for direct deposit
• An address or marital status change never reported to the CRA

You can check your payment status and update your details in CRA My Account.

Why filing matters even with no income

Every benefit on this page is calculated from your tax return. If you do not file, the CRA has no income figure to work from and payments stop, even when you are still eligible. For newcomers to Canada, this is the most common reason for missing money in the first year. Our FAQ on taxes in Canada answers the questions we hear most often about first filings.

Need help with your tax return?

The MB Tax Solutions team works with individuals, self-employed professionals and businesses across Canada, in English and Portuguese. If you are unsure whether you are receiving everything you are entitled to, see our tax preparation service, check the current packages or book a call with our team.