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All Government Benefit Payment Dates 2026 (Canada)

Updated

If you receive multiple government benefits, keeping track of when each one lands can be a challenge. Here is a single reference calendar with all major federal payment dates for 2026.

CPP and OAS payment dates 2026

CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and OAS (Old Age Security), including GIS, are paid on the same date.

MonthPayment Date
January 2026January 29
February 2026February 26
March 2026March 27
April 2026April 28
May 2026May 28
June 2026June 26
July 2026July 29
August 2026August 27
September 2026September 25
October 2026October 29
November 2026November 26
December 2026December 22

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment dates 2026

MonthPayment Date
January 2026January 20
February 2026February 20
March 2026March 20
April 2026April 17
May 2026May 20
June 2026June 20
July 2026July 18
August 2026August 20
September 2026September 18
October 2026October 20
November 2026November 20
December 2026December 12

GST/HST Credit payment dates 2026

The GST credit is paid quarterly.

QuarterPayment Date
Q1 2026January 3
Q2 2026April 4
Q3 2026July 4
Q4 2026October 3

Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment dates 2026

Ontario residents only.

MonthPayment Date
January 2026January 10
February 2026February 10
March 2026March 10
April 2026April 10
May 2026May 9
June 2026June 10
July 2026July 10
August 2026August 8
September 2026September 10
October 2026October 10
November 2026November 10
December 2026December 10

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) advanced payment dates 2026

The CWB advanced payments are sent in three instalments to eligible low-income workers.

InstalmentPayment Date
First advance (50% of CWB ×⅓)January 10, 2026
Second advanceJuly 11, 2026
Third advanceOctober 10, 2026

A final reconciliation amount (or recovery of overpayments) is calculated on your tax return.

Key tax filing deadlines 2026

DeadlineDate
RRSP contribution deadline (2025 tax year)March 2, 2026
Tax filing deadline — most individualsApril 30, 2026
Tax filing deadline — self-employedJune 15, 2026 (but balance owed due April 30)
TFSA room resetsJanuary 1 each year

Summary: payment frequency by benefit

BenefitFrequencyTypical Date
CPP retirement / disabilityMonthlyEnd of month
OAS / GISMonthlySame as CPP
Canada Child BenefitMonthlyAround the 20th
GST/HST CreditQuarterlyJan, Apr, Jul, Oct
Ontario Trillium BenefitMonthlyAround the 10th
Canada Workers Benefit3× per yearJan, Jul, Oct
EI — first payment~28 days after applyingVaries

Tips for managing multiple benefits

  • Set up direct deposit for all CRA benefits through My CRA Account to avoid delays from mailed cheques
  • Update your address before you move — benefits sent to an old address can cause months of disruption
  • File your tax return on time — CCB, OTB, and GST credit are all recalculated in July based on the prior year’s return. Late filers may have benefits paused

Key takeaway

CPP and OAS land at month-end; CCB around the 20th; GST quarterly in January, April, July, and October; and OTB on the 10th. Set up direct deposit at canada.ca/my-cra-account and review your benefit details annually after you file your return.

Why payments sometimes land later than expected

Several factors can delay government benefit payments:

  • Banking delays: If a payment date falls on a weekend or federal statutory holiday, Service Canada issues the payment the last business day before. However, your bank may hold direct deposits 1–2 business days — especially for newer accounts or first deposits.
  • New recipients: Your first CRA benefit payment (CCB, GST credit, OAS, GIS) may take an extra 4–8 weeks after approval to appear. Direct deposit is faster than cheque.
  • No direct deposit set up: CRA sends cheques to the address on file, which takes 5–10 business days by mail. Set up direct deposit through My CRA Account to receive all benefits faster.
  • Tax return not filed: Many benefits (CCB, GST credit, CWB) are recalculated annually based on your last tax return. If you haven’’t filed, payments may be paused or reduced.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up direct deposit for CRA benefit payments? Log in to My CRA Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account and navigate to “Direct deposit.” Enter your transit number, institution number, and account number from a void cheque. Changes typically take effect within 1–2 payment cycles.

Can I receive multiple government benefits at the same time? Yes. Many Canadians receive several federal benefits simultaneously — for example, OAS + GIS + GST credit + CCB (if they have children). Each benefit has its own eligibility criteria and is assessed separately. Receiving one benefit does not disqualify you from others, although some are income-tested.

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