CRA benefit payment dates 2026

CRA benefit payment dates 2026: what is left this year

As of October 24, 2026, these are the remaining 2026 payment dates on the CRA and Service Canada calendars. The Canada child benefit is paid on November 20 and December 11. The Ontario trillium benefit is paid on November 10 and December 10. The Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security are both paid on November 26 and December 22.

The two benefits that arrive less often have already made their last 2026 payment. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit was paid on October 5, and the advanced Canada workers benefit was paid on October 9. No dates for either have been published for 2027 yet.

No official 2027 payment dates have been published for any of these benefits as of today. That includes January 2027. This guide does not estimate them, because weekends, holidays and CRA scheduling move dates from year to year. Check the official benefit payment dates page, or sign in to your CRA account, which shows your next expected payment, and sign up for payment reminders sent about a week before each payment.

CCB payment dates 2026: Canada child benefit

The Canada child benefit (CCB) is paid monthly. The 2026 dates are January 20, February 20, March 20, April 20, May 20, June 19, July 20, August 20, September 18, October 20, November 20 and December 11. The CCB amount includes any related provincial or territorial payments.

Your benefit is recalculated every July using your return from the previous year. The payments from July 2026 to June 2027 are based on your 2025 return, which is why a late or missing 2025 return can change what arrives this winter.

If your total benefit for the year is under $240, the CRA does not pay it monthly. You receive one lump sum with your July payment instead.

Ontario trillium benefit payment dates 2026

The Ontario trillium benefit (OTB) combines the Ontario energy and property tax credit, the Northern Ontario energy credit and the Ontario sales tax credit. The 2026 dates are January 9, February 10, March 10, April 10, May 8, June 10, July 10, August 10, September 10, October 9, November 10 and December 10.

Ontario explains that for the benefit year running from July 2026 to June 2027, you can choose monthly payments or a single payment in June 2027 if you qualify for more than $500, and the total is the same either way. If you qualify for $500 or less, you receive one payment in July 2026. Payment dates for 2027 months have not been published.

You apply by filing your return and completing the ON-BEN application form that comes with it, even if you have no income to report. Direct deposit follows your tax refund method; otherwise payments are mailed.

GST/HST credit payment dates: now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The GST/HST credit was renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) as of July 2026. The CRA says eligibility, calculation and structure are the same, so if you were getting the GST/HST credit and nothing has changed, you are likely to be eligible. Payments are quarterly. The last GST/HST credit payments were January 5 and April 2, 2026, and the CGEB was paid on July 3 and October 5, 2026. The CRA also notes a 25 percent increase to the benefit amount from July 2026 that is to remain in place until 2031.

The advanced Canada workers benefit (ACWB) is a separate advance on the Canada workers benefit you claim on your return. The 2026 payments were January 12, July 10 and October 9. You do not apply for it. The CRA needs to receive your return before November 1 of the benefit period, which starts in July, for the advance payments to be sent.

CPP and OAS payment dates: Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security

Service Canada pays CPP and OAS on the same dates. The 2026 dates are January 28, February 25, March 27, April 28, May 27, June 26, July 29, August 27, September 25, October 28, November 26 and December 22. CPP includes retirement, disability, children’s and survivor benefits. The calendar does not yet list 2027 dates for either program.

The Canada Carbon Rebate for individuals is closed and has no payment schedule on the calendar. The CRA’s page says the federal fuel charge and the rebate stopped on March 15, 2025. It also sets October 30, 2026 as a deadline, under proposed legislation, to file outstanding 2018 to 2024 returns to receive any retroactive amounts.

What to do if a benefit payment is late

Payments are issued on the listed date but can take a few days to arrive, and a mailed cheque takes longer than direct deposit. For the CCB, the CRA says to wait five business days after the payment date before contacting it. For the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the OTB and the ACWB, the wait is ten working days. Ontario says to contact the CRA if you qualify for the OTB but have not received it by the 24th of the month.

Before you call, sign in to your CRA account and check the status of the payment, confirm your address and bank details, and look for a letter you have not answered. Common reasons for a stopped or changed payment include an unfiled return, a change in marital status or custody arrangements, or no longer meeting an eligibility requirement such as residency. If you were owed missed amounts once the issue is fixed, the CRA says they are generally paid with your next scheduled payment.

File a tax return every year to keep your benefits

For the CCB, you must file every year, even if your income is tax exempt or you have no income. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they must also file on time. The CRA recommends filing by April 30 so payments are not interrupted. If you file late, payments may stop temporarily and are reassessed once your return is processed.

The same habit protects the CGEB, which the CRA says it considers automatically when you file, and the OTB, which you apply for on your return. A late return for an earlier year can still bring a retroactive payment. Bring your notices of assessment and any benefit letters to your accountant if something has stopped, and see our guides on CRA letters and CRA tax deadlines for the filing dates.