Canada has an extensive social safety net with dozens of benefit programs. Many are available to permanent residents from the moment they arrive; temporary residents have access to some benefits after a qualifying period. Most benefits require you to file an annual income tax return to receive them — this is the single most important action to unlock ongoing government support.
The Key to Unlocking Benefits: File Your Taxes
Before going through each benefit, there is one rule that applies to almost all of them:
File your income tax return every year, even if you have no income.
The CRA uses your filed return to determine eligibility for the vast majority of benefit programs. Many newcomers miss out on hundreds or thousands of dollars in annual payments simply because they did not realize they needed to file.
Federal Benefits Available to Newcomers
1. GST/HST Credit
What it is: A quarterly, tax-free payment to help low- and middle-income Canadians offset the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) they pay on purchases.
Eligibility: Canadian residents with low-to-moderate income. Includes permanent residents. Temporary residents may qualify.
How to apply: File your tax return. The CRA automatically assesses eligibility.
Payment amounts (2025–2026):
- Single, no children: up to ~$519/year
- Married/common-law, no children: up to ~$680/year
- Per child under 19: up to ~$179/year
Payments are made quarterly (January, April, July, October).
2. Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
What it is: Monthly, tax-free payments for families raising children under 18.
Eligibility: Canadian residents (including PR holders). Temporary residents qualify after 18 months.
How to apply: Apply through CRA My Account, at birth registration (for newborns), or via Form RC66.
Maximum annual payments (2025–2026):
- Under age 6: $7,787/year per child
- Age 6–17: $6,570/year per child
See our full guide: [Canada Child Benefit Guide](/articles/canada-child-benefit-ccb-guide)
3. Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)
What it is: A refundable tax credit for low-income working Canadians and permanent residents. As of 2023, advance payments are sent automatically quarterly.
Eligibility: Working Canadians/PRs with low income. Must be 19+ or have a spouse/dependant. Single adults: net income under ~$35,000; families: net income under ~$60,000 (thresholds vary by province).
Maximum benefit (2025):
- Single individuals: up to $1,518/year
- Families: up to $2,616/year
- Additional disability supplement available
How to apply: Claim Schedule 6 on your tax return. Tax software handles this automatically.
4. Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
What it is: A new federal program (rolled out 2024–2025) providing dental coverage for Canadians without existing dental insurance and with a family income under $90,000.
Eligibility: Enrolled in phases — as of 2025, open to adults 18+ and families meeting the income threshold. Permanent residents and some temporary residents are eligible.
Coverage: Basic dental (exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions). The plan covers 60–100% of costs based on income.
How to apply: Apply through Service Canada online or by phone at 1-833-537-4342.
5. Canada Carbon Rebate (Formerly CAIP)
What it is: A quarterly payment to eligible Canadians in provinces covered by the federal carbon pricing backstop (currently Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland).
Eligibility: Canadian residents in covered provinces. Permanent residents are eligible.
Payment amounts vary by province and family composition.
How to apply: File your tax return. Eligibility is automatic.
6. Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
What it is: A new federal benefit (fully launched 2025) providing up to $2,400/year to low-income working-age Canadians with disabilities.
Eligibility: Ages 18–64, eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), with income below the threshold.
How to access: Apply for the Disability Tax Credit first (Form T2201, certified by a medical professional), then apply for the CDB through Service Canada.
7. Employment Insurance (EI) Special Benefits
Beyond regular job-loss EI, special EI benefits include:
- Maternity Benefits: 15 weeks at 55% of earnings for birth parents
- Standard Parental Benefits: 40 weeks at 55%, shareable
- Extended Parental Benefits: 69 weeks at 33%, shareable
- Illness Benefits: Up to 26 weeks at 55% if unable to work due to illness
- Caregiving Benefits: For those caring for a critically ill family member
8. Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
These are retirement-age benefits, but newcomers should understand them for long-term planning:
- OAS: A monthly pension for Canadians 65+ who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years as an adult (40 years for the maximum benefit). Newcomers who arrive as adults will receive a partial OAS based on years of Canadian residency.
- GIS: Additional monthly payment for low-income OAS recipients.
Settlement Services: Benefits Beyond Money
As a newcomer, you also have access to free settlement services funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):
- Language training (LINC): Free English and French language classes for permanent residents
- Employment support: Résumé help, job search assistance, credential recognition
- Settlement counselling: Orientation, navigation of Canadian systems
- Community connections programs
Find settlement services near you at the IRCC settlement portal: ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services
Provincial Benefits: Selected Examples
Each province adds its own programs on top of federal benefits:
Provincial benefits are typically assessed automatically through the same tax return process as federal benefits.
Benefits Quick-Reference Table
Example Scenarios
Frequently Asked Questions
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