The Government of Canada, along with the provinces and territories, offers a wide range of programs to support Canadians in different situations. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for financial help through one or more of them. With so many programs and so much information out there, it can be hard to figure out which ones apply to you.
We’ve compiled the programs into one place to help you sort through it. Below you’ll find the main federal and provincial benefits grouped by who they help, along with links to learn about the eligibility requirements, application process, and payment dates for each.
Key Points
1. The federal and provincial governments run dozens of benefit programs. Which ones you qualify for depends on your income, age, family, and where you live.
2. This guide groups them by need: social assistance, children, disability, seniors, and other credits.
3. Many benefits (the GST/HST credit, the Canada Child Benefit, the GIS, and more) are assessed automatically when you file your taxes, so file every year, even with no income.
4. If money is tight, jump to the “Benefits For Low-Income People” section for the programs most likely to help.
Benefits For Low-Income People
If you’re living on a low income, several federal and provincial programs can help with everyday costs, from sales tax to rent to raising children. Many of these you qualify for automatically just by filing your taxes, so filing every year is the single most important step. Here are the main ones to check. You’ll find a link for each one in the category tables further down:
| Benefit | Who It Helps |
|---|---|
| GST/HST credit (Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit) | Low- and modest-income individuals and families, to offset the sales tax they pay |
| Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) | Low-income workers, including part-time and gig workers |
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | Low- and modest-income families with children under 18 |
| Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) | Low-income seniors who already receive Old Age Security |
| Social assistance (Ontario Works and provincial programs) | People who can’t cover basic needs like food and shelter |
| ODSP and provincial disability assistance | Low-income people living with a disability |
| Ontario Trillium Benefit / Canada PRO | Low- and moderate-income Ontario and Alberta residents (energy, property tax, and sales tax) |
| Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) | Uninsured Canadians with adjusted family net income under $90,000 |
| Canada Housing Benefit | Low-income renters struggling with housing costs |
The federal Canada Disability Benefit (up to $200 a month for working-age adults approved for the Disability Tax Credit) is also worth checking if you have a disability. Most provinces will not count it against your other benefits.
Note: Not Sure What You Qualify For?
The Government of Canada runs a free Benefits Finder tool that matches you to federal, provincial, and territorial programs based on a few questions about your situation. It’s the fastest way to spot benefits you might be missing.
Social Assistance Programs
In Canada, most provinces and territories run their own social assistance programs to support people who can’t afford basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. Unlike Employment Insurance (EI), which is temporary income support tied to past work, social assistance is meant to reduce poverty and help people access the resources they need to enter the workforce.
These programs are needs-tested, which means both your income and your assets are reviewed before you’re approved, and they’re generally treated as a last resort once other income sources have been considered. Payment amounts and eligibility rules vary by province, and most programs also come with extra health benefits such as prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage. You usually apply through your provincial ministry or, in some provinces, your local municipality, either online or in person.
| Program | What It Helps With |
|---|---|
| Ontario Works (OW) | Ontario Works provides income and employment support to Ontario residents in financial need who can’t cover the cost of basic living essentials. |
| Social Assistance In British Columbia | Monthly income support for British Columbia residents who need help covering the cost of basic living essentials like food and shelter. |
| Social Assistance PEI | Available to residents of Prince Edward Island who need support to meet the cost of basic living essentials. |
| Social Assistance In Quebec | Quebec’s last-resort financial assistance for residents who are unable to meet their basic needs. |
| Social Assistance In Alberta | Income support for Alberta residents who are unable to cover the cost of basic necessities. |
| Income Assistance In New Brunswick | Financial help for New Brunswick residents in need, to cover the cost of basic living essentials. |
| Income Assistance (IA) Nova Scotia | Monthly income assistance for Nova Scotia residents who can’t afford their basic needs. |
| Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) | Saskatchewan’s income support program for residents who need help covering the cost of daily living. |
Child Assistance Programs
Raising a child is a big financial responsibility. Canadians spend roughly $10,000 to $15,000 a year to raise a child, which adds up to $180,000 to $270,000 by the time they reach adulthood. On top of that, many parents take time away from work after a new baby arrives, which can leave a household on one income or relying on savings. Both the federal and provincial governments offer programs to help, and parents can also claim tax credits and deductions for costs like school and medical expenses.
| Program | What It Helps With |
|---|---|
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | A tax-free monthly payment that helps families with the cost of raising children under 18. |
| The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) | A monthly top-up for low- and moderate-income Ontario families, paid alongside the Canada Child Benefit. |
| Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB) | A monthly payment that helps low-income Nova Scotia families with the cost of raising children under 18. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit | A monthly payment for low-income families in Newfoundland and Labrador with children under 18. |
| Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) | A payment for low- and moderate-income Alberta families with children under 18, made up of a base and a working component. |
| Maternity and Parental Leave (EI) | EI benefits that replace part of your income while you’re off work caring for a new or adopted child. |
Disability Assistance Programs
About 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older live with at least one disability, and many, especially those with a severe disability, face a higher risk of living on a low income. People with disabilities aged 25 to 64 are less likely to be employed than those without, and disability aids, devices, and medication can be very expensive. To help, the federal and provincial governments offer programs that cover some of these costs.
| Program | What It Helps With |
|---|---|
| Federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC) | A non-refundable federal tax credit for people who have a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment. |
| Canada Disability Benefit | A new federal monthly payment (up to $200) for working-age adults who are approved for the Disability Tax Credit. |
| Child Disability Benefit (CDB) | A tax-free amount added to the Canada Child Benefit for a child who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (up to about $3,400 a year). |
| Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) | Ontario’s income and health benefits for residents with a disability who are in financial need. |
| BC Disability Assistance | Monthly financial assistance for British Columbia residents who have the Persons with Disabilities designation. |
| Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) | Saskatchewan’s income support for people who have a significant and enduring disability. |
| Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) | Alberta’s monthly income and health benefits for adults with a permanent disability that limits their ability to work. |
Senior Assistance Programs
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need roughly 70% of your pre-retirement income to comfortably cover your expenses after you retire. To help fund that, the federal and provincial governments offer several programs that act as sources of income alongside your own savings, like an RRSP.
At the federal level, Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly pension for most people 65 and older, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is an income-tested top-up for low-income seniors who receive OAS, and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) pays a retirement pension based on what you contributed during your working years. On top of those, several provinces add their own top-ups for low-income seniors, such as Ontario’s GAINS and the Alberta Seniors Benefit. It’s worth applying for OAS and CPP a few months before your 65th birthday (you can apply for OAS up to 11 months early) so your payments start on time.
| Program | What It Helps With |
|---|---|
| Old Age Security (OAS) | A monthly pension available to most Canadians aged 65 and older, based on how long they’ve lived in Canada. |
| Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) | A tax-free monthly top-up for low-income seniors who already receive Old Age Security. |
| Canada Pension Plan (CPP) | A monthly retirement pension based on the contributions you made during your working years. |
| Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) | Ontario’s monthly top-up for low-income seniors, paid on top of OAS and GIS. |
| Alberta Seniors Benefit | A monthly payment for low-income Alberta seniors, paid on top of federal OAS and GIS. |
Seniors can also claim a range of tax credits and deductions to lower the amount of tax they owe.
Other Government Programs, Tax Credits, And Benefits
Beyond the programs grouped above, there are several benefits that don’t fit neatly into one category but can still put money back in your pocket. Some, like the GST/HST credit and the Ontario Trillium Benefit, are tax credits that are calculated and paid automatically when you file your return. Others, like Employment Insurance and the Canadian Dental Care Plan, you apply for directly through Service Canada or the CRA.
These are some of the easiest benefits to overlook, since you may not think to look for them, so it’s worth scanning the list below to see what applies to your situation.
| Program | What It Helps With |
|---|---|
| Employment Insurance (EI) | Temporary income (about 55% of your earnings) if you lose your job through no fault of your own. It also covers sickness, maternity, parental, and compassionate care leave. |
| Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) | Federal dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with an adjusted family net income under $90,000 (no co-pay under $70,000). |
| Canada Housing Benefit | Financial help toward housing costs for low-income renters, delivered together with the provinces and territories. |
| Compassionate Care Benefits (EI) | EI income while you take time off work to care for a family member who is seriously ill or at risk of dying. |
| Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) | Combines three Ontario credits (the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit) into one payment. |
| GST/HST credit | A tax-free quarterly payment that offsets the sales tax paid by low- and modest-income households. It is being renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit as of July 2026. |
| Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) | A refundable tax credit that tops up the income of low-income workers, including part-time and gig workers. |
| Going Green Tax Credits and Rebates | A roundup of federal and provincial tax credits, rebates, and programs for energy-efficient and green home upgrades. |
Benefits For Specific Groups
Not every benefit is based on income alone. Some are tied to your circumstances or background, and they’re often the ones people don’t think to look for. First Nations and Inuit, veterans, newcomers to Canada, and students all have dedicated programs on top of the general benefits above.
If you belong to one of these groups, it’s worth checking what you can access, since these supports can be significant and are frequently missed.
| Program | Who It’s For |
|---|---|
| Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) | Covers drug, dental, vision, mental health, and medical transportation costs for registered First Nations and recognized Inuit, with no deductibles or co-payments. |
| On-Reserve Income Assistance | Last-resort financial help for eligible First Nations people living on reserve who can’t meet their basic needs. |
| War Veterans Allowance | A tax-free monthly benefit for low-income wartime Veterans, their dependents, and survivors. |
| Benefits for newcomers to Canada | New immigrants and permanent residents can access benefits like EI, the Canada Child Benefit, and the GST/HST credit once they meet the eligibility rules. |
| OSAP and Canada Student Grants | Provincial (OSAP) and federal (Canada Student Grants) financial aid that helps students pay for college or university. |
Registered Savings Plans
These aren’t monthly benefits, but they’re some of the best value the government offers, because they add money on top of what you save. Both are tax-advantaged accounts built for a specific goal: the RDSP for the long-term security of a person with a disability, and the RESP (through the Canada Learning Bond) for a child’s education.
The government contributions, through matching grants and bonds, can add up to thousands of dollars over time, and the earlier you open an account, the more that money has to grow. Low-income families benefit the most: the Canada Learning Bond adds up to $2,000 to an RESP with no personal contribution required at all.
| Plan | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) | A long-term savings plan for people with disabilities, boosted by matching federal grants and bonds. |
| Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) | Up to $2,000 the federal government adds to an RESP for a child from a low-income family, with no personal contribution required. |
Government Benefit FAQs
Bottom Line
Whether you’re unemployed, living on a low income, raising a family, retired, or living with a disability, there’s likely a government program that can help. Check both the federal and provincial options, since many people qualify for more than one, and remember that filing your taxes every year is what unlocks most of them.
References
- Statistics Canada. (2022). Canadian Survey on Disability. https://www.statcan.gc.ca
- Government of Canada. (2026). Benefits finder. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits.html
