Canada-wide
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
Income-tested CRA payment that helps lower-income households with GST/HST-style cost pressure.
Low incomeIncome-tested
Benefits over your life
Benefit programs often become relevant at different ages and life changes. This page shows what to learn about first, and it links each program to an official source.
To see benefits matched to your own household, open the quiz.
This timeline lists programs to check, not official eligibility decisions. Use official sources before applying.
Now showing all of Canada.
Around 18 and early work
18 programs
Official source
Canada-wide
Canada Workers Benefit
Refundable tax credit for eligible workers with low or modest working income.
WorkerIncome-tested
Canada-wide
Advanced Canada Workers Benefit
Advance payments for eligible Canada Workers Benefit recipients.
WorkerIncome-tested
Canada-wide
Canadian Dental Care Plan
Federal dental coverage for eligible residents without access to dental insurance.
DentalIncome-testedNo dental coverage
Ontario province
Ontario Trillium Benefit
Ontario payment combining energy, property tax, sales tax, and Northern Ontario energy credits where applicable.
Tax creditRenters
Ontario province
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
Ontario credit for eligible residents with energy/property tax or rent costs.
Tax creditRenters
Ontario province
Northern Ontario Energy Credit
Ontario energy credit for eligible Northern Ontario residents.
Tax credit
Ontario province
Ontario Sales Tax Credit
Income-tested Ontario sales tax credit paid through the Ontario Trillium Benefit system.
Tax creditIncome-tested
New Brunswick province
New Brunswick Working Income Supplement
NB working supplement is connected to child/family benefit rules.
WorkerChildrenIncome-tested
New Brunswick province
New Brunswick HST Credit
Income-tested New Brunswick credit administered through tax records.
Tax creditIncome-tested
Newfoundland and Labrador province
Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement
NL income supplement for eligible residents.
Low incomeIncome-tested
Nova Scotia province
Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit
Nova Scotia income-tested affordability tax credit.
Tax creditIncome-tested
Nunavut territory
Territorial Workers' Supplement
Nunavut supplement for eligible working families with children.
WorkerChildrenIncome-tested
Prince Edward Island province
PEI Sales Tax Credit / PEI Essentials Benefit
PEI income-tested sales tax/essentials support.
Tax creditIncome-tested
Quebec province
Solidarity Tax Credit
Quebec tax credit for eligible low- or modest-income residents.
Tax creditIncome-tested
Quebec province
Work Premium
Quebec refundable credit for eligible workers.
WorkerIncome-tested
Saskatchewan province
Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit
Saskatchewan low-income refundable tax credit.
Tax creditIncome-tested
Quebec province
Supplement to the Work Premium
Quebec supplement to work premium depends on provincial tax rules.
WorkerIncome-tested
Post-secondary
2 programs
Canada-wide
Canada Learning Bond
Federal money for eligible children from lower-income families when an RESP is opened.
StudentChildrenIncome-tested
Canada-wide
Canada Education Savings Grant
Federal RESP grant that can add money based on contributions and family income rules.
StudentChildren
Working years
18 programs
Canada-wide
Child Disability Benefit
Tax-free payment for families caring for a child under 18 who is approved for the Disability Tax Credit.
DisabilityChildren
Canada-wide
Canada Disability Benefit
Federal benefit for working-age people with disabilities who meet program rules.
DisabilityAge 18+Up to age 64Income-tested
Canada-wide
EI Regular Benefits
Temporary income support if you lost your job through no fault of your own and meet EI rules.
EI
Canada-wide
EI Sickness Benefits
Temporary income support if you cannot work for medical reasons and meet EI rules.
EI
Canada-wide
EI Maternity Benefits
EI support for eligible people who are pregnant or recently gave birth.
EI
Canada-wide
EI Parental Benefits
EI support for eligible parents caring for a newborn or newly adopted child.
EI
Canada-wide
EI Caregiving Benefits
EI support when caring for or supporting a critically ill, injured, or end-of-life person.
Caregiver
Manitoba province
Rent Assist
Manitoba rent support; some streams depend on EIA or separate rules.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Quebec province
Shelter Allowance
Quebec housing support for eligible households.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Canada-wide
CPP Disability Benefit
CPP benefit for eligible contributors with a severe and prolonged disability.
DisabilityUp to age 64
Alberta province
AISH
AISH is worth checking if a disability severely limits work and income.
Disability
Alberta province
Alberta Disability Assistance Program
Alberta disability supports depend on detailed program rules and assessment.
Disability
Alberta province
Income Support
Alberta Income Support may help with basic needs when income is very low.
EmergencyIncome-tested
Alberta province
Emergency financial assistance
Use this for urgent Alberta needs such as food, shelter, or utilities.
Emergency
British Columbia province
Income Assistance
BC income assistance is worth checking when income and basic-needs support are urgent.
EmergencyIncome-tested
British Columbia province
Disability Assistance
BC disability assistance depends on provincial designation and income/assets rules.
Disability
British Columbia province
Rental Assistance Program
BC Rental Assistance Program is worth checking for eligible working families with rent pressure.
HousingChildrenIncome-testedRenters
British Columbia province
SAFER
SAFER may help eligible BC seniors with rent.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Around 60
4 programs
Canada-wide
Allowance for the Survivor
Benefit for some low-income widowed people aged 60 to 64.
SeniorAge 60+Up to age 64Income-tested
Canada-wide
Allowance
Benefit for some low-income people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or partner receives GIS.
SeniorAge 60+Up to age 64Income-tested
Canada-wide
CPP Retirement Pension
Monthly retirement pension based on CPP contributions.
SeniorAge 60+
Manitoba province
55 PLUS Manitoba Income Supplement
55 PLUS is worth checking for lower-income older Manitobans.
SeniorAge 55+Income-tested
65 and older
18 programs
Canada-wide
Old Age Security
Monthly pension for eligible seniors based mainly on age and Canadian residence rules.
SeniorAge 65+
Canada-wide
Guaranteed Income Supplement
Monthly non-taxable payment for low-income OAS pensioners.
SeniorAge 65+Income-tested
Newfoundland and Labrador province
Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors' Benefit
NL seniors benefit for eligible low-income seniors.
SeniorIncome-tested
Yukon territory
Yukon Seniors Income Supplement
Yukon monthly supplement for eligible seniors.
SeniorIncome-tested
Canada-wide
Allowance for the Survivor
Benefit for some low-income widowed people aged 60 to 64.
SeniorAge 60+Up to age 64Income-tested
Canada-wide
Allowance
Benefit for some low-income people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or partner receives GIS.
SeniorAge 60+Up to age 64Income-tested
Canada-wide
CPP Retirement Pension
Monthly retirement pension based on CPP contributions.
SeniorAge 60+
Canada-wide
CPP Survivor's Pension
Monthly pension for eligible surviving spouse or common-law partner of a CPP contributor.
Senior
Canada-wide
CPP Death Benefit
One-time payment to the estate or eligible applicant after a CPP contributor dies.
Senior
British Columbia province
SAFER
SAFER may help eligible BC seniors with rent.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
British Columbia province
BC Senior's Supplement
BC senior supplement may top up income for eligible low-income seniors.
SeniorIncome-tested
British Columbia province
BC Bus Pass
BC bus pass support may help eligible seniors or disability-assistance recipients.
SeniorIncome-tested
Manitoba province
55 PLUS Manitoba Income Supplement
55 PLUS is worth checking for lower-income older Manitobans.
SeniorAge 55+Income-tested
New Brunswick province
Low Income Seniors Benefit
NB seniors benefit may help eligible low-income seniors.
SeniorIncome-tested
Northwest Territories territory
Income Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
NWT seniors/disability income assistance is worth checking if income is limited.
SeniorIncome-tested
Northwest Territories territory
Senior Home Heating Subsidy
NWT heating subsidy may help eligible seniors with heating costs.
Senior
Northwest Territories territory
Seniors Aging in Place
NWT aging-in-place supports depend on needs and local rules.
Senior
Nova Scotia province
Homeowner supplement
Nova Scotia homeowner support depends on property tax and age/income rules.
HousingIncome-tested
Life events
Arriving in Canada
18 programs
Canada-wide
Canada Child Benefit
Monthly tax-free payment to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18.
Child and familyChildren
Canada-wide
Child Disability Benefit
Tax-free payment for families caring for a child under 18 who is approved for the Disability Tax Credit.
DisabilityChildren
Canada-wide
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
Income-tested CRA payment that helps lower-income households with GST/HST-style cost pressure.
Low incomeIncome-tested
Canada-wide
Canada Workers Benefit
Refundable tax credit for eligible workers with low or modest working income.
WorkerIncome-tested
Canada-wide
Advanced Canada Workers Benefit
Advance payments for eligible Canada Workers Benefit recipients.
WorkerIncome-tested
Ontario province
Ontario Trillium Benefit
Ontario payment combining energy, property tax, sales tax, and Northern Ontario energy credits where applicable.
Tax creditRenters
Ontario province
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
Ontario credit for eligible residents with energy/property tax or rent costs.
Tax creditRenters
Ontario province
Northern Ontario Energy Credit
Ontario energy credit for eligible Northern Ontario residents.
Tax credit
Ontario province
Ontario Sales Tax Credit
Income-tested Ontario sales tax credit paid through the Ontario Trillium Benefit system.
Tax creditIncome-tested
Ontario province
Ontario Child Benefit
Ontario child benefit for eligible low- to moderate-income families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
British Columbia province
BC Family Benefit
BC child benefit paid with CCB for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Alberta province
Alberta Child and Family Benefit
Alberta child benefit for eligible lower- and middle-income families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Manitoba province
Rent Assist
Manitoba rent support; some streams depend on EIA or separate rules.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
New Brunswick province
New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit
New Brunswick child tax benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
New Brunswick province
New Brunswick Working Income Supplement
NB working supplement is connected to child/family benefit rules.
WorkerChildrenIncome-tested
New Brunswick province
New Brunswick HST Credit
Income-tested New Brunswick credit administered through tax records.
Tax creditIncome-tested
Newfoundland and Labrador province
Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit
NL child benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Newfoundland and Labrador province
Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement
NL income supplement for eligible residents.
Low incomeIncome-tested
Children, birth, or adoption
17 programs
Canada-wide
Canada Child Benefit
Monthly tax-free payment to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18.
Child and familyChildren
Canada-wide
Canada Learning Bond
Federal money for eligible children from lower-income families when an RESP is opened.
StudentChildrenIncome-tested
Canada-wide
Canada Education Savings Grant
Federal RESP grant that can add money based on contributions and family income rules.
StudentChildren
Ontario province
Ontario Child Benefit
Ontario child benefit for eligible low- to moderate-income families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Canada-wide
EI Maternity Benefits
EI support for eligible people who are pregnant or recently gave birth.
EI
Canada-wide
EI Parental Benefits
EI support for eligible parents caring for a newborn or newly adopted child.
EI
British Columbia province
BC Family Benefit
BC child benefit paid with CCB for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Alberta province
Alberta Child and Family Benefit
Alberta child benefit for eligible lower- and middle-income families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
New Brunswick province
New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit
New Brunswick child tax benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Newfoundland and Labrador province
Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit
NL child benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Northwest Territories territory
Northwest Territories Child Benefit
NWT child benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Nova Scotia province
Nova Scotia Child Benefit
Nova Scotia child benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Nunavut territory
Nunavut Child Benefit
Nunavut child benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Prince Edward Island province
PEI Child Benefit
PEI child benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Quebec province
Family Allowance
Quebec Family Allowance is provincially administered, not CRA-administered like most provincial child benefits.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Yukon territory
Yukon Child Benefit
Yukon child benefit for eligible families.
Child and familyChildrenIncome-tested
Canada-wide
CPP Children's Benefit
Monthly benefit for dependent children of disabled or deceased CPP contributors.
Child and familyChildren
Rent or housing pressure
15 programs
Ontario province
Ontario Trillium Benefit
Ontario payment combining energy, property tax, sales tax, and Northern Ontario energy credits where applicable.
Tax creditRenters
Ontario province
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
Ontario credit for eligible residents with energy/property tax or rent costs.
Tax creditRenters
Manitoba province
Rent Assist
Manitoba rent support; some streams depend on EIA or separate rules.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Quebec province
Shelter Allowance
Quebec housing support for eligible households.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
British Columbia province
Rental Assistance Program
BC Rental Assistance Program is worth checking for eligible working families with rent pressure.
HousingChildrenIncome-testedRenters
British Columbia province
SAFER
SAFER may help eligible BC seniors with rent.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
New Brunswick province
Low Income Property Tax Allowance
NB property tax support is worth checking for eligible homeowners.
HousingIncome-tested
New Brunswick province
Canada-New Brunswick Housing Benefit
Housing benefit intake and eligibility can change; check current NB housing instructions.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Newfoundland and Labrador province
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit
NL housing benefit is worth checking if rent is unaffordable.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Nova Scotia province
Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit
Nova Scotia targeted housing benefit may help eligible renters.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Nova Scotia province
Homeowner supplement
Nova Scotia homeowner support depends on property tax and age/income rules.
HousingIncome-tested
Nunavut territory
Housing support programs
Nunavut housing supports depend on community, waitlists, and program rules.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Ontario province
Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit
Housing benefit rules and intake can change; check Ontario/local housing instructions.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Ontario province
Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant
Ontario senior homeowners should check this if they paid property tax.
SeniorIncome-tested
Saskatchewan province
Saskatchewan Housing Benefit
Saskatchewan housing benefit may help eligible renters.
HousingIncome-testedRenters
Job loss or medical leave
18 programs
Canada-wide
EI Regular Benefits
Temporary income support if you lost your job through no fault of your own and meet EI rules.
EI
Canada-wide
EI Sickness Benefits
Temporary income support if you cannot work for medical reasons and meet EI rules.
EI
Canada-wide
EI Maternity Benefits
EI support for eligible people who are pregnant or recently gave birth.
EI
Canada-wide
EI Parental Benefits
EI support for eligible parents caring for a newborn or newly adopted child.
EI
Canada-wide
CPP Disability Benefit
CPP benefit for eligible contributors with a severe and prolonged disability.
DisabilityUp to age 64
Alberta province
AISH
AISH is worth checking if a disability severely limits work and income.
Disability
Alberta province
Alberta Disability Assistance Program
Alberta disability supports depend on detailed program rules and assessment.
Disability
Alberta province
Income Support
Alberta Income Support may help with basic needs when income is very low.
EmergencyIncome-tested
British Columbia province
Income Assistance
BC income assistance is worth checking when income and basic-needs support are urgent.
EmergencyIncome-tested
British Columbia province
Disability Assistance
BC disability assistance depends on provincial designation and income/assets rules.
Disability
British Columbia province
BC Bus Pass
BC bus pass support may help eligible seniors or disability-assistance recipients.
SeniorIncome-tested
Manitoba province
Employment and Income Assistance
Manitoba EIA may help with basic needs when income is very low.
EmergencyIncome-tested
Manitoba province
Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities
Manitoba disability supports depend on provincial assessment.
Disability
Newfoundland and Labrador province
Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit
NL disability support depends on provincial program rules.
Disability
Northwest Territories territory
Income Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
NWT seniors/disability income assistance is worth checking if income is limited.
SeniorIncome-tested
Nova Scotia province
Disability Support Program
Nova Scotia disability support depends on assessment and program fit.
Disability
Nunavut territory
Disability support programs
Nunavut disability supports depend on assessment and service rules.
Disability
Ontario province
Ontario Works
Ontario Works may help with basic needs when income is very low or urgent support is needed.
EmergencyIncome-tested
Disability and health costs
18 programs
Canada-wide
Child Disability Benefit
Tax-free payment for families caring for a child under 18 who is approved for the Disability Tax Credit.
DisabilityChildren
Canada-wide
Canada Disability Benefit
Federal benefit for working-age people with disabilities who meet program rules.
DisabilityAge 18+Up to age 64Income-tested
Canada-wide
Canadian Dental Care Plan
Federal dental coverage for eligible residents without access to dental insurance.
DentalIncome-testedNo dental coverage
Canada-wide
CPP Disability Benefit
CPP benefit for eligible contributors with a severe and prolonged disability.
DisabilityUp to age 64
Alberta province
AISH
AISH is worth checking if a disability severely limits work and income.
Disability
Alberta province
Alberta Disability Assistance Program
Alberta disability supports depend on detailed program rules and assessment.
Disability
British Columbia province
Disability Assistance
BC disability assistance depends on provincial designation and income/assets rules.
Disability
British Columbia province
BC Children and Youth Disability Supplement
BC child disability supports depend on provincial service rules.
DisabilityChildren
Manitoba province
Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities
Manitoba disability supports depend on provincial assessment.
Disability
Manitoba province
Pharmacare or drug-cost support
Manitoba Pharmacare may help with eligible prescription costs.
Health
New Brunswick province
NB Drug Plan
NB Drug Plan may help residents with prescription drug coverage.
Health
Newfoundland and Labrador province
Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit
NL disability support depends on provincial program rules.
Disability
Nova Scotia province
Disability Support Program
Nova Scotia disability support depends on assessment and program fit.
Disability
Nunavut territory
Disability support programs
Nunavut disability supports depend on assessment and service rules.
Disability
Ontario province
ODSP
ODSP is worth checking when disability affects work and income.
Disability
Ontario province
Assistive Devices Program
Ontario ADP may help with eligible medical equipment, not general cash support.
Health
Ontario province
Ontario Drug Benefit
Ontario drug coverage depends on age, income, and eligibility category.
HealthIncome-tested
Prince Edward Island province
AccessAbility Supports
PEI AccessAbility supports depend on assessment and support plan.
Disability
Caregiving
2 programs
Canada-wide
EI Caregiving Benefits
EI support when caring for or supporting a critically ill, injured, or end-of-life person.
Caregiver
Prince Edward Island province
At Home Caregiver Benefit
PEI caregiver support depends on care needs and program rules.
Caregiver