All Government Benefit Payment Dates 2026 (Canada)

If you receive multiple government benefits, keeping track of when each one lands can be a challenge. This page is a single reference calendar covering every major federal benefit payment date for 2026 — CPP, OAS, GIS, the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST credit (now called Canada Groceries & Essentials Benefit CGEB), the Canada Workers Benefit, and the Ontario Trillium Benefit along with what to expect in terms of amounts, eligibility, and what to do if a payment is late.

Fast answers

• CPP / OAS / GIS: these are all paid at the same time.
• CCB: paid monthly, usually around the 20th.
• GST/HST credit: January 5 and April 2. Replaced by Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB, 25% higher) from July 2026: July 3 and October 5.
• ACWB: three advance payments in January, July, and October.
• OTB: monthly payments for Ontario residents, generally on the 10th.

If you need the amounts instead of the dates, use the linked calculators and rate pages below.

All dates on this page come from the official Service Canada and CRA payment schedules. When a payment date falls on a weekend or federal statutory holiday, Service Canada issues the payment on the last business day before that date. Your bank’s own deposit processing may add an additional 1–2 business days for accounts newer than 90 days.

Quick reference: all 2026 benefit payment dates at a glance

CPP payment dates 2026

CPP (Canada Pension Plan) is a monthly pension paid to Canadians who contributed to the plan during their working years. You can start collecting as early as age 60 (at a reduced amount), at the standard age of 65, or as late as age 70 (at an increased amount).

2026 CPP monthly amounts (average for new beneficiaries April 2026 and maximum):

The average CPP retirement pension for new beneficiaries was $877.01/month as of April 2026. The maximum assumes 39+ years of maximum contributions which means that most Canadians will receive less. Your My Service Canada Account shows your personal CPP Statement of Contributions and estimated amount.

CPP and OAS payment dates 2026:

CPP, OAS, and GIS are always paid on the same date.

Why is the December payment early? The December date is always advanced to before Christmas because the regular month-end date falls during or immediately after the holiday. This allows payments to be processed before the Christmas and Boxing Day closures.

Taking CPP early or late:

• Starting CPP at 60 reduces your pension by 7.2% per year before 65 (up to 36% less)
• Starting CPP at 70 increases your pension by 8.4% per year after 65 (up to 42% more)

OAS and GIS payment dates 2026

OAS (Old Age Security) is a monthly pension available to most Canadians aged 65 and older who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18. Unlike CPP, OAS is not based on your work or contribution history since it is funded from general government revenues and paid to eligible Canadians regardless of whether they ever worked.

OAS is adjusted quarterly each January, April, July and October for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The rates below are the Q3 2026 (July–September 2026) amounts.

OAS and GIS maximum monthly amounts (Q3 2026):

OAS at 75 — the automatic 10% increase: OAS recipients will receive an automatic 10% increase the month following your 75th birthday. This increase is built into the rates above and does not require an application.

Deferring OAS: You can delay OAS up to age 70. Every month you defer past 65 increases your pension by 0.6%, for a maximum 36% increase if you wait until 70. This is worth considering if you are still working and may be subject to the OAS recovery tax (clawback).

GIS — Guaranteed Income Supplement: GIS is a non-taxable monthly benefit for low-income OAS recipients. You should check to see if you qualify for at least a partial GIS. GIS is automatically renewed each year when you file your tax return. If you do not file, your GIS may be suspended.

OAS and GIS are paid on the same dates as CPP (see the table above).

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment dates 2026

The Canada Child Benefit amount guide (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under age 18. The amount you receive is based on the number of children in your care, their ages, and your adjusted family net income (AFNI) from the prior tax year.

2026–27 CCB maximum annual amounts (based on 2025 income, effective July 2026):

These maximum amounts apply to families with an AFNI below $38,237 (based on 2025 income). The benefit is reduced when income exceeds $38,237.

Important: July recalculation. CCB is recalculated every July based on the prior year’s filed tax return. If your income changed significantly from one year to the next, your July payment may be noticeably higher or lower than your June payment. Families who file late may have their CCB paused until the return is assessed.

Canada Child Benefit payment dates 2026:

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) payment dates 2026 (previously called GST/HST Credit)

The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment from the CRA to help individuals and families with low or modest incomes offset the GST or HST they pay. You do not need to apply separately as you are automatically considered when you file your annual tax return.

Important 2026 change: The GST/HST credit was paid twice in 2026 (January and April) under its original name. Starting July 2026, the program was renamed and expanded as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), which includes a 25% increase for five years. A one-time top-up equal to 50% of the 2025–26 GST credit value was also issued to eligible January 2026 recipients no later than June 2026.

GST/HST credit payment dates (January–April 2026):

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment dates (from July 2026):

Note: If your annual credit is less than $500, the CRA pays the full amount in a single lump sum in July rather than quarterly instalments.

Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment dates 2026

The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a provincial benefit for Ontario residents only. It combines three Ontario tax credits into a single monthly payment:

1. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) — sales tax on energy and property tax
2. Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) — for residents of Northern Ontario to help with high energy costs
3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) — help with the sales tax

You apply for OTB by completing the ON-BEN Application form on your Ontario tax return.

OTB maximum annual amounts (2026 benefit year, from July 2026 - June 2027):

Ontario Trillium Benefit payment dates 2026:

Lump-sum option: If your annual OTB entitlement is $500 or less, the CRA will pay it as a single lump sum in July rather than monthly instalments. If it is more than $500, you receive monthly payments starting in July.

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) advanced payment dates 2026

The Canada Workers Benefit is a refundable tax credit for low-income Canadians who are working. It replaced the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) in 2019 and has been enhanced since. The CWB has two components: the basic amount and a disability supplement.

CWB maximum amounts (based on 2025 income, used to calculate 2026 advance payments):

The basic CWB phases out for single individuals with adjusted net income above $26,855 (no payment above $37,742), and for families above $30,639 (no payment above $49,393).

Advanced payments: Rather than waiting for your tax refund, the CRA automatically sends 50% of your estimated CWB as three advance payments throughout the year. The remaining amount (or any reconciliation) is calculated on your tax return.

You do not need to apply for the CWB advance since the CRA calculates it automatically based on your prior year’s return. If you were not eligible in the prior year but are now, you will receive the advance when you file and the CRA reassesses your eligibility.

What to do if a government benefit payment is late

Most payments arrive on or within one business day of the scheduled date. If yours has not arrived:

Step 1 — Wait 3 business days. Banks process direct deposits overnight; a Monday payment is usually visible by Tuesday morning, but some institutions take until Wednesday. If you receive a paper cheque, allow up to 10 business days from the payment date.

Step 2 — Check My CRA Account or My Service Canada Account. Log in at canada.ca to confirm whether the payment was issued. If the system shows “payment issued” but you have not received it, the issue is with your bank or your address on file.

Step 3 — Confirm your direct deposit information. The most common reason for a missed payment is outdated or incorrect banking information. Update your direct deposit details through My CRA Account (for CCB, GST credit, OTB, CWB) or My Service Canada Account (for CPP and OAS).

Step 4 — Contact the right agency:

How to set up direct deposit for CRA and Service Canada benefits

Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable way to receive all government benefits. Payments clear overnight and appear in your account by the morning of the payment date. Cheques take an additional 5–10 business days to arrive by mail after the issue date.

For CRA benefits (CCB, GST credit, OTB, CWB):

1. Log in to My CRA Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account
2. Select “Direct deposit” under the “Profile” section
3. Enter your bank account number, branch/transit number, and institution number
4. Changes apply to the next scheduled payment

For Service Canada benefits (CPP, OAS, EI):

1. Log in to My Service Canada Account at canada.ca/my-service-canada-account
2. Select “Direct deposit” and enter your banking information
3. You can also update direct deposit by calling Service Canada or visiting a Service Canada Centre in person

You can find your transit number and institution number on a void cheque from your bank, or in your bank’s online banking under account details.

Tips for managing multiple benefit payments

• File your tax return every year, even with low income. The CCB, OTB, GST credit, and CWB all require an annual tax return to be paid or renewed. Seniors with no taxable income still need to file to keep GIS active.
• Update your address before you move. Benefits issued to an old address, especially by cheque, can take months to recover. Update your address with both the CRA and Service Canada as soon as you have a new address confirmed.
• Track the July recalculation. CCB, OTB, and GST credit all reset in July based on prior-year income. A significant income change in 2025 will directly affect your July 2026 payment sometimes substantially. Log in to My CRA Account in June to see your updated benefit notice before the July payment arrives.
• GIS renewal is automatic if you file on time. You do not need to reapply for GIS each year as long as you file your tax return. If you do not file, Service Canada will suspend GIS until you do.
• Track CPP enhancement increases. The CPP enhancement (Phase 2, which began in 2024) is gradually increasing both contributions and future CPP payouts. If you are still working and contributing, your eventual CPP benefit will be higher than what older projections showed.

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.

Related Reading

• Canada Workers Benefit Payment Dates 2026 | CWB & ACWB Schedule
• Canada Child Benefit Payment Dates 2026
• Canada Child Benefit amount guide

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