Last Updated On 22 February 2026, 10:33 AM EST (Toronto Time)
As March 2026 arrives, residents of Ontario are preparing to receive the next round of CRA benefit payments from the Canada Revenue Agency.
With housing costs, grocery bills, and utility expenses continuing to stretch budgets, three key CRA benefit payments are scheduled to arrive this month.
These CRA benefit payments represent more than just deposits hitting bank accounts. They provide essential support for families raising children, individuals managing everyday expenses, and seniors relying on retirement income.
Even temporary residents who meet specific criteria can access some of these benefits, reflecting the inclusive nature of Canada’s social support system.
Below is a complete breakdown of these benefits, including eligibility requirements, exact payment dates, maximum amounts for the current benefit year, and how each payment is calculated for Ontario residents in March 2026.
Table of Contents
1. Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit remains a cornerstone of family support in Canada, delivering tax-free monthly payments to help offset the costs of raising children under 18.
Where daycare costs in cities like Toronto and Mississauga can exceed $1,500 monthly and families in rural areas face significant transportation expenses, the CCB provides critical financial relief.
The CCB supports everything from diapers and formula to school supplies and extracurricular activities, recognizing the substantial investment parents make in their children’s futures.
Who Qualifies for the CCB?
To receive the Canada Child Benefit, you must be a Canadian resident, which includes citizens, permanent residents, and eligible temporary residents.
You must act as the primary caregiver for a child under 18 years old. In shared custody situations, the benefit may be split between both parents.
Payment amounts are calculated based on your adjusted family net income, with lower-income families receiving higher amounts.
Temporary Residents: Eligible after 18 consecutive months in Canada with a valid permit such as a work or study visa.
You must also qualify for social benefits under your immigration status.
Maximum CCB Payments for 2025-2026
| Child Age | Annual Maximum | Monthly Maximum |
| Under 6 years old | $7,997 | $666.41 |
| 6 to 17 years old | $6,748 | $562.33 |
| Child Disability Benefit (per child) | $3,411 | $284.25 |
These amounts apply to families with adjusted family net income under $37,487. Payments gradually decrease as income rises above this threshold.
Whether you live in urban Kitchener or remote Kenora, the benefit is designed to target assistance to families who need it most.
CCB Payment Date in March 2026
The March CCB payment arrives on Friday, March 20, 2026, via direct deposit or cheque.
This predictable schedule helps parents plan for spring expenses, from new clothing as children grow to sports registration fees as warmer weather approaches.
2. Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB): Triple Relief for Everyday Costs
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a unique three-in-one payment that addresses sales tax, energy costs, and property taxes simultaneously.
These represent some of the biggest challenges facing the residents, particularly during winter months when heating bills spike and in areas where property costs have risen sharply.
From renters in London to homeowners in Barrie, the OTB delivers steady, practical monthly support.
The Three Components of OTB
Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC): Offsets the provincial portion of the 13% HST on everyday purchases.
This credit requires no separate application as the CRA automatically calculates it from your tax return.
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC): Helps with property taxes and sales tax on energy for your principal residence.
This applies whether you rent or own your home.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC): Provides additional support for residents living in Northern districts including Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Kenora, where energy demands and costs run higher than the provincial average.
Who Is Eligible for OTB?
You must have been an Ontario resident on December 31, 2024, and must haved filed your 2024 tax return to receive the benefit.
Benefits decrease as income rises, prioritizing support for lower-income households.
Temporary residents must have been in Ontario on December 31, 2024, and filed taxes with the appropriate credit claims.
Maximum OTB Payments for 2025-2026
| Credit Component | Maximum Annual Amount |
| OSTC (per adult or child) | Up to $371 |
| OEPTC (non-seniors under 65) | Up to $1,283 |
| OEPTC (seniors 65 and older) | Up to $1,461 |
| NOEC (single individuals) | Up to $185 |
| NOEC (families) | Up to $285 |
A family of four can receive up to $3,230 in combined OTB support over the benefit year when eligible for all components.
OTB Payment Date for March 2026
The March OTB payment arrives on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
This monthly regularity helps households in cities like Sudbury and communities across Northern Ontario budget for ongoing energy and housing costs.
As energy prices continue to fluctuate in 2026, the OTB cushions the impact for retirees in Windsor and young families in Timmins alike.
3. CPP and OAS Payments: Retirement Income for Ontario Seniors
For seniors, particularly in retirement communities across Niagara, cottage country, and urban centres, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) payments provide essential monthly income.
These payments recognize decades of work and contributions, supporting everything from healthcare expenses to daily living costs in retirement.
Understanding these benefits matters beyond retirement planning. Even if you are a newcomer to Canada or still years away from retirement, knowing how CPP works helps you make informed decisions about your contributions today.
CPP is based on contributions made during your working years, regardless of whether you are a permanent resident when you retire.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Overview
Eligibility: You can start receiving CPP as early as age 60 or as late as age 70. You must have made at least one valid contribution to CPP during your working years.
Post-Retirement Benefits: If you continue working while receiving CPP before age 70, your contributions can increase your monthly benefit through post-retirement benefits.
Maximum CPP in 2026: The maximum monthly CPP payment for those starting at age 65 is $1,560.
However, the average monthly payment is approximately $850 based on typical contribution histories.
Your actual amount depends on your contributions, earnings history, and the age you start receiving benefits.
How CPP Is Calculated
The CPP retirement pension reflects your working life through a detailed calculation. Your contributory period starts the month after you turn 18 and ends when you begin receiving CPP or turn 70, whichever comes first.
Pensionable earnings are based on income between the basic exemption of $3,500 annually and the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE), set at $71,300 in 2025.
The calculation includes drop-out provisions that exclude up to 8 years of your lowest earnings from the base CPP calculation, which can significantly boost your average.
The enhanced CPP, phased in since 2019, provides additional benefits calculated on earnings between the first and second earnings ceilings.
Your benefit also depends on when you start receiving it. Starting at age 60 reduces your pension by 0.6% for each month before age 65, totaling up to 36% less.
Delaying until age 70 increases your pension by 0.7% per month, up to 42% more than the age-65 amount.
Old Age Security (OAS) Details
Eligibility: You must be 65 or older with at least 10 years of Canadian residency after age 18 to receive partial OAS, or 40 years for the full pension.
International agreements may also allow qualification.
Maximum OAS in 2026: Seniors aged 65 to 74 can receive up to $740 per month. Seniors 75 and older can receive up to $814 per month.
OAS Recovery Tax: If your net income exceeds $95,323 in 2026, your OAS pension is reduced by 15 cents for every dollar above this threshold. This is sometimes called the OAS clawback.
Maximum CPP and OAS Payments in 2026
| Benefit Type | Maximum Monthly Amount |
| CPP Retirement (at age 65) | $1,560 |
| CPP Disability | $1,741 |
| OAS (ages 65-74) | $740 |
| OAS (age 75 and older) | $814 |
CPP and OAS Payment Date for March 2026
Both CPP and OAS payments arrive on Friday, March 27, 2026.
This timing at month-end helps seniors budget for monthly expenses including rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and groceries.
How to Access These March 2026 CRA Benefits
Canada Child Benefit: Register through CRA My Account online or by submitting Form RC66 with proof of residency and caregiving status. Many provinces allow registration at the time of birth through the hospital.
Ontario Trillium Benefit: You need not apply. Eligibility depends on your 2024 income tax return filed in 2025.
For continuous OTB payments after June 2026, file your taxes prior to April 2026 and complete Form ON-BEN for OEPTC and NOEC. The OSTC is calculated automatically.
CPP and OAS: Apply online through My Service Canada Account or submit a paper application. For CPP, apply at least 6 months before you want payments to begin, as processing can take up to 120 days.
All The 2026 CRA Benefit Payment Dates
OTB Payment Dates 2026
- January 9, 2026
- February 10, 2026
- March 10, 2026
- April 10, 2026
- May 8, 2026
- June 10, 2026
- July 10, 2026
- August 10, 2026
- September 10, 2026
- October 9, 2026
- November 10, 2026
- December 10, 2026
CCB Payment Dates 2026
- January 20, 2026
- February 20, 2026
- March 20, 2026
- April 17, 2026
- May 20, 2026
- June 19, 2026
- July 20, 2026
- August 20, 2026
- September 18, 2026
- October 20, 2026
- November 20, 2026
- December 11, 2026
CPP and OAS Payment Dates 2026
- January 28, 2026
- February 25, 2026
- March 27, 2026
- April 28, 2026
- May 27, 2026
- June 26, 2026
- July 29, 2026
- August 27, 2026
- September 28, 2026
- October 28, 2026
- November 26, 2026
- December 22, 2026
In March 2026, as Ontario transitions from winter to spring, these CRA payments continue to provide stability for millions of residents.
Together, the Canada Child Benefit, Ontario Trillium Benefit, and CPP/OAS payments form an essential part of the provincial social safety net.
File your 2025 taxes by April 30, 2026, to ensure your 2026-2027 benefit payments continue without interruption.
Keep your CRA information current, including your address and direct deposit details.
Whether you are raising children in Toronto, managing a household in Ottawa, or enjoying retirement in cottage country, these March 2026 CRA benefits provide the financial support that helps Ontario families thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are these CRA benefit payments taxable?
The CCB and OTB are completely tax-free and do not need to be reported as income on your tax return. However, CPP and OAS payments are taxable income. You must report them on your annual return, and you may owe tax at year-end unless you request voluntary tax deductions from your monthly pension payments.
Can newcomers to Canada receive these benefits?
Yes, only for specific benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit and GST, but not all the benefits, such as the Canada Workers Benefit for which they need to meet specific conditions. Temporary residents may qualify for CCB after 18 consecutive months in Canada with a valid permit. OTB eligibility requires Ontario residency on December 31 of the prior year. CPP benefits depend on contributions made during working years in Canada.
What should I do if my CRA benefit payment doesn’t arrive on the scheduled date?
Wait 5 business days after the payment date before contacting the CRA. If you receive payments by cheque, allow up to 10 business days for mail delivery. You can check your payment status through CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account. If your payment is still missing, call 1-800-387-1193 for CCB and OTB inquiries, or 1-800-277-9914 for CPP and OAS.
What happens if my income changes during the benefit year?
CCB and OTB payments are calculated based on your previous year’s tax return and do not automatically adjust mid-year. If your income drops significantly, you may be eligible for higher payments starting the following July when benefits are recalculated. For OAS, income changes can affect your recovery tax (clawback) amount in the next benefit period.
What if I move out of Ontario during the year?
Your OTB eligibility is based on where you lived on December 31 of the prior tax year AND where you live on the first of each payment month. If you move out of Ontario, your OTB payments will stop the month after you leave. CCB and CPP/OAS continue regardless of which province you move to, though you may become eligible for different provincial benefits in your new province.
Can the CRA use my benefit payments to cover debts I owe?
Yes, if you owe money to the CRA for unpaid taxes, benefit overpayments, or other federal debts, the CRA can withhold part or all of your CCB, OTB, or GST/HST credit payments to recover the debt. CPP and OAS payments can also be garnished for certain debts including family support orders. You will receive a notice before any deductions are applied.
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