Ways Canadians will get money from the government in January
Check your bank account — eligible Canadians will be getting more money from the government next month.
A new year means more opportunities to get money from the federal government through the benefits and credits it offers. Canadians will be receiving the first round of benefit and credit payments from Ottawa for 2026.
This money from the government aims to alleviate your financial burden amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Mark your calendars — here’s when Canada is sending out the first benefit and credit payments of 2026.
GST/HST Credit — Jan. 5, 2026
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The Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that aims to help families with low and modest incomes offset the taxes they pay.
Canadians began receiving more money from the government in July 2025 because the new benefit year began.
The GST credit payments increased by 2.7 per cent. Based on this, eligible Canadians could get up to:
- $533 if you are single
- $698 if you are married or have a common-law partner
- $183 for each child under the age of 19
It is one of the credits that is set to increase again in July 2026, which marks the new benefit year. Check how much more money you could receive from the government.
Ontario Trillium Benefit — Jan. 9, 2026
The OTB is a tax-free payment that combines the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit.
Ontarians could be eligible for one of the three credits. If you’re between the ages of 18 and 64, the maximum you’ll receive is $1,283, while the maximum you’ll qualify for if you’re 65 or older is $1,461. If you live on a reserve or a public long-term care home, the maximum you can receive is $285. You’ll receive $25 for the time you lived in a designated college, university, or private school residence in 2004.
The amount you receive for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit depends on your marital status. If you’re single, you could receive a maximum of $185, while families could receive a maximum of $285.
You can receive up to $371 for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. However, you may be eligible for additional credit of up to $371 for your spouse or common-law partner, and each dependent child under 19 years of age on the 1st of the payment month. This credit does not affect your GST/HST credit payments.
Advanced Canada Workers Benefit — Jan. 12, 2026
The ACWB is an advanced payment of the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), a refundable tax credit that eligible individuals can claim on their tax return. It aims to help individuals and families who are working and earning a lower income.
The ACWB payment increased in July in line with the new benefit year.
If you’re eligible, check to see how much more you could receive.
Canada Disability Benefit — Jan. 15, 2026
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This new government benefit provides financial assistance to Canadians aged 18 to 64 who live with a disability.
Applications opened in June. If you qualify, you’ll begin getting money from the government the month after your application is approved.
“You may receive back payments for up to 24 months from when we get your application, but not for any previous months of eligibility prior to June 2025,” reads the government site.
If eligible, your first payment will be on the third Thursday of the month following your approval.
To learn more about the new benefit, who’s eligible, and how much you can get, check out Daily Hive’s guide.
Canada Child Benefit — Jan. 20, 2026
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The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment for eligible families to help with the cost of raising kids under the age of 18.
Canadian families got a 2.7 per cent boost in child tax payments in 2025. Annual payments for children under six will increase from $7,787 to $7,997, or $666 monthly. For children aged six to 17, this means an annual payment increase from $6,570 to $6,748, or $562 per month.
The CCB will increase again in July 2026. Check to see how much more money your family could receive from the government.
B.C. Family Benefit — Jan. 20, 2026
Families who qualify for the B.C. Family Benefit (BCFB) will receive this monthly tax-free payment, along with their CCB, in a single payment.
The CRA states that families with children under 18 could receive $145.83 per month for the first child, $41.66 per month for the first child in a single-parent family, $91.66 per month for the second child, and $75 per month for each additional child.
Families with a net income between $29,526 and $94,483 could receive $64.58 per month for the first child, $62.50 per month for the second child, and $60.41 per month for each additional child.
Ontario Child Benefit — Jan. 20, 2026
Ontario families with low to moderate income could be eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB), a provincial tax-free benefit that’s delivered with the CCB in a single monthly payment.
Families could be eligible to receive a maximum of $143.91 per month for each child under 18 years of age, and families with a family net income above $26,364 may receive a partial benefit.
Canada Pension Plan — Jan. 28, 2026
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The CPP is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of eligible Canadians’ income upon retirement and is paid for the rest of their lives.
To receive money from the government, you must have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP and be at least 60 years old.
You’ll receive your full pension even if you’re under 70 and still working; contributing to the CPP post-retirement benefit can increase your pension.
The amount you receive will depend on when you decided to start your pension, the amount you contributed, how much you earned throughout your working life, and how long you contributed to the CPP. New beneficiaries aged 65 will receive an average monthly payment of $899.67. The maximum monthly payment you can receive at age 65 is $1,433.
Old Age Security — Jan. 28, 2026
Canadians aged 65 and older can qualify for the OAS pension regardless of their work history.
Those aged 65 to 74 can receive up to $727.67 per month in 2025 if their annual net income in 2023 was less than $142,609.
However, Canadians aged 75 and older can receive a maximum of $800.44 if their annual net world income in 2023 was less than $148,179.