Overview of child and family benefits
Wildfires impact payments
Wildfires have delayed the delivery of a small number of benefit and credit cheques. If you are unable to access your benefit or credit cheques and require immediate assistance call us at 1-800-387-1193 or visit the delivery service alerts on the Canada Post website for updates on mail delivery.
Payments by direct deposit will be issued as scheduled.
Includes Canada child benefit, Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit), their related provincial and territorial programs, as well as Canada workers benefit and other federal programs.
These payments are meant to help individuals and families. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers these payments.
Find out if you are eligible for benefits and credits
Select a link below for more information on the benefit, credit, or program.
 Married or common-law with children |
 Single with |
 Married or |
 Single and 19 or older with no children |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada child benefit | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Provincial and territorial benefits and credits |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
You might also be eligible for other benefits
Child disability benefit
This is a tax-free benefit for families who care for a child under the age of 18 who is eligible for the disability tax credit.
Canada workers benefit
This is a refundable tax credit intended to provide tax relief for eligible working low-income individuals and families who are already in the workforce. It is also intended to encourage Canadians to enter the workforce.
Children’s special allowances
This program provides payments to federal and provincial agencies and institutions that care for children (for example, children's aid societies).
Expecting mothers
If you are the birth mother of a newborn, you can use the Automated Benefits Application on the birth registration form when you register your newborn with your province. This allows you to apply for the Canada child benefit, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit), and related provincial or territorial programs for your child.
After applying
You don’t have to apply for the benefits and credits every year, but you must:
- do your taxes on time every year
to continue receiving the benefit and credit payments that you are entitled to, even if you have no income in the year. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they also have to do their taxes every year. Need a hand to complete your tax return?
- keep your personal information up to date
to make sure you are getting the right amount of benefits and credits, you must keep your personal information updated with the CRA.
- keep your supporting documents in case we ask for them
- in the future, you might receive a letter from the CRA as part of the validation process, asking you to confirm your personal information.
How much you might get
Go to the CRA child and family benefits calculator to see how much you might get.
Sign up for direct deposit to make sure you never miss a payment .
Did you get a benefits overpayment? You may have a balance owing.
Payment dates
For all payment dates and contact information, see benefits payment dates.
Sign up for the benefit and credit payment dates reminders electronic mailing list to know when you will get your next payment.
To view your personalized benefit information, including your next benefit payment date and amount, go to My Account.