8 New CRA Benefit Payments Canadians Can Get In March 2026

Last Updated On 1 March 2026, 10:56 AM EST (Toronto Time)

March 2026 brings a fresh round of government benefit payments for millions of Canadians across every province and territory.

Between the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada, 8 different benefit programs are sending money directly to eligible Canadians this month.

Whether you’re raising children, living with a disability, collecting retirement income, or managing household costs on a fixed budget, there’s likely at least one payment heading your way.

Most payments land automatically based on your most recent tax return, while others depend on your age, residency, or personal circumstances.

The payment schedule runs throughout March, starting with the first CRA benefit payment on March 10 and ending with the last payments on March 27.

Here’s everything you need to know about each benefit, including who qualifies, how much you can receive, and when the money will hit your account.

CRA Benefit Payments In March 2026

Ontario Trillium Benefit

The Ontario Trillium Benefit combines three separate credits into a single monthly payment for Ontario residents with low to moderate incomes.

It’s designed to offset the costs of energy bills, property taxes, and sales tax, making everyday essentials more affordable.

Although it’s a provincial benefit, the Canada Revenue Agency handles all OTB payments.

The amount you receive depends on your 2024 tax return until June 2026, when payments will be recalculated based on your 2025 income.

The OTB includes three components: the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC), and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC).

You might qualify for one, two, or all three depending on your situation.

How Much You Can Get

For March 2026, the maximum monthly amounts from each credit are:

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC): Up to $106.91 per month if you’re between 18 and 64, or up to $121.75 if you’re 65 or older.

Residents of long-term care homes or reserves may receive an additional $23.75.

Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC): Up to $15.41 per month for individuals living alone, or up to $23.75 for families in Northern Ontario communities.

Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC): Up to $30.91 per month for each member of your household, including children.

Next payment date: March 10, 2026

Canada Disability Benefit

The Canada Disability Benefit is a relatively new federal program that provides monthly financial support to working-age adults living with disabilities.

It launched in July 2025 and represents a significant expansion of Canada’s disability support system.

To qualify, you must be between 18 and 64 years old, hold a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, and have income below certain thresholds.

The benefit is administered by Service Canada and paid out on the 19th of each month.

If you were approved after the initial July 2025 launch, your first payment may include retroactive amounts going back up to two years, provided you were eligible during that time.

How Much You Can Get

The maximum Canada Disability Benefit payment is $200 per month, though the actual amount depends on your income level.

Lower-income recipients generally receive the full amount, while those with higher incomes receive reduced payments.

If your total annual benefit works out to less than $240, Service Canada pays it as a single lump sum instead of monthly installments.

Next payment date: March 19, 2026

Canada Child Benefit

The Canada Child Benefit remains one of the largest benefit programs in the country, providing tax-free monthly payments to families raising children under 18.

It’s administered by the CRA and paid to the parent or guardian who primarily takes care of the child.

To receive CCB, you must live with the child and be their primary caregiver.

You also need to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and either you or your spouse must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or meet other immigration status requirements.

March 2026 payments are still based on your 2024 income tax return.

The benefit year runs from July to June, so new rates based on 2025 income will kick in starting July 2026.

How Much You Can Get

For the 2025-26 benefit year, families with adjusted net incomes under $37,487 may receive the maximum monthly amounts:

Children under 6: Up to $666.41 per month ($7,997 per year)

Children aged 6 to 17: Up to $562.33 per month ($6,748 per year)

Families earning more than $37,487 still receive payments, but the amount gradually decreases as income rises.

The CCB also includes the Child Disability Benefit, which adds up to $284.25 per month for children who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit.

Several provinces and territories add their own child benefits to the CCB payment, which can increase your total by up to $305.66 per child depending on where you live.

Next payment date: March 20, 2026

BC Family Benefit

The BC Family Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18 who live in British Columbia.

It’s funded by the provincial government but administered and paid out by the CRA alongside the Canada Child Benefit.

Like the CCB, eligibility is based on your family’s adjusted net income and the number of children in your care.

You don’t need to apply separately—if you’re already receiving the Canada Child Benefit and live in BC, you’ll automatically be assessed for the BC Family Benefit.

How Much You Can Get

For the 2025-26 benefit year, families may receive up to:

First child: Up to $145.83 per month ($1,750 per year)

Second and subsequent children: Up to $91.67 per month ($1,100 per year)

The BC Family Benefit also includes a bonus for families with children under one year old.

If you have an infant, your monthly payment may be higher during your child’s first year of life.

Next payment date: March 20, 2026

Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit

The Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit is a provincial program that provides additional monthly support to adults with disabilities who live in the province.

It launched alongside the federal Canada Disability Benefit in July 2025.

To qualify, you must be between 18 and 64, live in Newfoundland and Labrador, and have an approved Disability Tax Credit certificate.

The benefit is fully funded by the provincial government but paid out through the CRA.

If both you and your spouse or common-law partner qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, each of you can receive the benefit separately.

How Much You Can Get

The Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit provides up to $400 per month ($4,800 per year) for each qualifying adult.

The exact amount depends on your adjusted family net income:

If your income is under $29,402, you’ll receive the full $400 per month.

If your income is between $29,402 and $42,404 (for individuals) or between $29,402 and $55,404 (for couples where both qualify), you’ll receive a reduced amount based on a phase-out formula.

Next payment date: March 25, 2026

Veteran Disability Pension

The Veteran Disability Pension is a tax-free monthly payment for former Canadian Armed Forces members who have health conditions related to their military service.

Veterans Affairs Canada oversees the program while Service Canada handles the actual payments.

This benefit also extends to Second World War and Korean War veterans, certain RCMP members, and some civilians who supported Canada’s war efforts.

To qualify, you need a medically diagnosed condition that’s directly connected to your military service.

Once approved, the pension is paid monthly for life and isn’t affected by your other income or savings.

How Much You Can Get

The Veteran Disability Pension amount is based on the severity of your condition, not your income. Payments increased by 2% in January 2026 to keep pace with inflation.

For the highest disability classification (Class 1), the maximum monthly payment is now $3,513.48. Lower classifications receive proportionally smaller amounts. Veterans with dependants may receive additional support.

Next payment date: March 26, 2026

Canada Pension Plan

The Canada Pension Plan is a contributory retirement program for Canadians who paid into the plan during their working years.

How much you receive depends on how long you contributed and how much you earned throughout your career.

You can start receiving CPP as early as age 60, though starting before 65 means a permanently reduced payment.

Waiting until after 65 increases your monthly amount. CPP also includes disability benefits, survivor benefits, and children’s benefits for qualifying families.

CPP payments increased by 2% in January 2026 based on inflation adjustments. This applies to both new and existing recipients.

How Much You Can Get

Here are the maximum monthly CPP amounts for 2026:

Retirement pension (starting at 65): Up to $1,507.65 per month

CPP Disability Benefit: Up to $1,741.20 per month for contributors under 65 who can no longer work

Post-Retirement Benefit: Up to $54.69 per month if you’re still working while receiving CPP

Survivor’s Pension: Up to $803.54 (under 65) or $904.59 (65 or older) for surviving spouses

Children’s Benefit: $307.81 per month for children of deceased or disabled CPP contributors

Most CPP recipients receive less than the maximum. Your actual payment depends on your contribution history, which you can check through your My Service Canada Account.

Next payment date: March 27, 2026

Old Age Security

Old Age Security is a monthly payment for Canadians aged 65 and older. Unlike CPP, you don’t need to have worked or contributed to a pension plan to qualify—OAS is based on your age and how long you’ve lived in Canada as an adult.

To receive the full OAS pension, you need to have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after turning 18.

If you’ve lived here for less time, you’ll receive a partial pension. The minimum residency requirement is 10 years in Canada after age 18 (or 20 years if you’re applying from outside Canada).

OAS also includes additional supports for lower-income seniors, including the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance for spouses of GIS recipients, and the Allowance for the Survivor for widowed individuals.

How Much You Can Get

OAS payments increased by 0.3% in January 2026 as part of quarterly inflation adjustments.

Here are the current maximum monthly amounts:

OAS pension (ages 65 to 74): Up to $742.31 per month

OAS pension (ages 75 and older): Up to $816.54 per month

Guaranteed Income Supplement (single): Up to $1,108.74 per month

Allowance (ages 60 to 64): Up to $1,409.72 per month if your spouse receives GIS

Allowance for the Survivor: Up to $1,680.47 per month for widowed individuals aged 60 to 64

High-income seniors may have their OAS reduced through the OAS Recovery Tax.

For the current benefit period, the income threshold is $148,451 for seniors aged 65 to 74 and $154,196 for those 75 and older.

Next payment date: March 27, 2026

Complete March 2026 Payment Calendar

Here’s when each benefit payment lands in March 2026:

March 10: Ontario Trillium Benefit

March 19: Canada Disability Benefit

March 20: Canada Child Benefit, BC Family Benefit

March 25: Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit

March 26: Veteran Disability Pension

March 27: Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security

If your scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, you’ll typically receive your money on the last business day before that date.

Payments are deposited directly into your bank account if you’ve set up direct deposit with the CRA or Service Canada.

Are Newcomers Eligible For These Benefits?

Many of these benefits are available to newcomers, though eligibility depends on your immigration status and how long you’ve been in Canada.

Canada Child Benefit: Available to permanent residents, protected persons, and certain temporary residents who have lived in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months with a valid permit. You must file a Canadian tax return to qualify.

Old Age Security: Requires at least 10 years of Canadian residency after age 18 to receive any payment.

Newcomers who don’t meet this threshold may still qualify later under international social security agreements if their home country has one with Canada.

Canada Pension Plan: Available to anyone who has contributed to the plan while working in Canada, regardless of citizenship status.

Your payment is based on your Canadian contribution history.

Provincial benefits (OTB, BC Family Benefit, NLDB): Generally follow the same residency rules as the CCB. You must live in the province and meet the federal tax residency requirements.

The easiest way to ensure you receive all benefits you’re entitled to is to file your tax return on time each year, even if you earned little or no income.

Most benefit calculations are automatically updated based on the information in your return.

If you haven’t received a payment you expected, check your account status through CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account.

Payment issues often stem from outdated banking information or address changes that weren’t reported.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are the CRA benefit payments taxable?

The Canada Child Benefit, Ontario Trillium Benefit, BC Family Benefit, and Child Disability Benefit are all tax-free. However, CPP and OAS payments are considered taxable income and must be reported on your return. The Canada Disability Benefit is also tax-free under current rules.

What if my payment doesn’t arrive on the scheduled date?

Wait at least five business days after the payment date before taking action. Then log into CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account to verify your payment status and banking information. If everything looks correct but you still haven’t received your payment, contact the CRA or Service Canada directly.

Can the CRA use my benefit payments to pay off debts I owe?

Yes, if you owe money to the federal government—such as overpaid benefits, unpaid taxes, or defaulted student loans—the CRA can withhold part or all of your benefit payments to recover the debt. You’ll receive written notice before any deductions begin, and you may be able to set up a payment arrangement instead.

What happens to my benefits if I move to a different province?

Federal benefits like the CCB, CPP, and OAS continue regardless of which province you live in. Provincial benefits like the Ontario Trillium Benefit will stop when you leave that province, and you may become eligible for equivalent benefits in your new province. Update your address with the CRA as soon as you move to avoid payment delays.

When will benefit amounts increase for the next year?

The CCB, OTB, and other income-tested benefits are recalculated each July based on your previous year’s tax return. CPP and OAS amounts are adjusted for inflation—CPP in January and OAS quarterly. The next major recalculation for most benefits will happen in July 2026 based on 2025 tax returns.

Sidak Singh Dhanoa

I am a born Canadian citizen and growing daily with my content on INC – Immigration News Canada, developing into an empathetic person and knowing the other side of the story. Born in Toronto, exploring Canada from coast to coast, embracing the nomadic lifestyle.