Across Canada, millions of residents are scheduled to receive various government benefit payments throughout March 2026. These payments are issued by both the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada and are intended to provide financial support to families, seniors, people living with disabilities, veterans, and households with lower incomes.
Altogether, eight different federal and provincial benefit programs will distribute funds during the month. Some of these payments are issued automatically based on information from your most recent tax return, while others depend on eligibility factors such as age, disability status, residency, income level, or family situation.
The March payment cycle begins on March 15 and continues through March 27. Canadians who have direct deposit set up will generally see the money deposited directly into their bank accounts on the scheduled dates.
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Below is a simplified overview of the main benefit programs being paid this month, including eligibility rules, maximum payment amounts, and the exact dates when deposits are expected.
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a monthly payment available to Ontario residents with low to moderate incomes. It combines three separate tax credits into a single monthly payment to help households cover everyday expenses such as energy bills, property taxes, and sales tax costs.
Although this benefit is funded by the provincial government, payments are managed and distributed by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Eligibility and payment amounts are calculated using information from your most recent tax return. During the first half of 2026, the CRA continues to use income data from the 2024 tax return until payments are recalculated in July 2026 using 2025 income.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit includes three separate credits:
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
Northern Ontario Energy Credit
Ontario Sales Tax Credit
Recipients may qualify for one or more of these credits depending on their personal circumstances.
Maximum Monthly Amounts For March 2026
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
Up to $106.91 per month for individuals aged 18–64
Up to $121.75 per month for seniors aged 65 and older
An additional $23.75 may be available for individuals living in long-term care homes or on reserves.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit
Up to $15.41 per month for single individuals
Up to $23.75 per month for families living in Northern Ontario
Ontario Sales Tax Credit
Up to $30.91 per month for each household member, including children
Next payment date: March 15, 2026
Canada Disability Benefit
The Canada Disability Benefit is a relatively new federal program created to provide additional financial support for working-age Canadians living with disabilities. The program officially launched in July 2025 and expanded the country’s disability assistance system.
To qualify for the benefit, applicants must:
Be between 18 and 64 years old
Have a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate
Meet the program’s income requirements
Payments are administered by Service Canada and are typically issued on the 19th of each month.
Individuals who were approved after the program’s launch may receive retroactive payments for eligible months, which can sometimes go back as far as two years.
Maximum Monthly Payment
The maximum Canada Disability Benefit payment is $200 per month.
However, the actual amount depends on income levels. Individuals with lower incomes generally receive the full amount, while those with higher incomes may receive reduced payments.
If the total yearly benefit amount is less than $240, Service Canada may issue the payment as a single lump sum rather than monthly installments.
Next payment date: March 19, 2026
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit is one of the largest family support programs in Canada. It provides tax-free monthly payments to families raising children under the age of 18.
The program is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, and payments are sent to the primary caregiver responsible for the child.
To qualify, families must:
Live with the child
Be responsible for the child’s daily care and upbringing
Be Canadian residents for tax purposes
Have an eligible immigration status such as citizenship or permanent residency
Payments issued in March 2026 are calculated using income reported on the 2024 tax return. Updated payment rates based on 2025 income will begin in July 2026.
Maximum Monthly Payments For 2025–2026 Benefit Year
Children under age 6
Up to $666.41 per month
Children aged 6 to 17
Up to $562.33 per month
Families with higher household incomes may still qualify for payments, although the amount gradually decreases as income rises.
Child Disability Benefit
Families with children who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit may receive an additional payment of up to $284.25 per month.
Some provinces also offer extra child benefit programs alongside the CCB, increasing the total support available to families.
Next payment date: March 20, 2026
BC Family Benefit
The BC Family Benefit provides additional financial support to families with children living in British Columbia.
Although this benefit is funded by the provincial government, the Canada Revenue Agency administers the payments and distributes them alongside the Canada Child Benefit.
Families who already receive the CCB and live in British Columbia are automatically assessed for eligibility.
Maximum Monthly Payments
First child
Up to $145.83 per month
Second and additional children
Up to $91.67 per month
Families with infants under one year old may receive additional bonus payments during the child’s first year.
Next payment date: March 20, 2026
Newfoundland And Labrador Disability Benefit
The Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit is a provincial program that provides additional financial support to adults living with disabilities in the province.
The program launched alongside the federal Canada Disability Benefit in July 2025.
Eligibility requirements include:
Age between 18 and 64
Residency in Newfoundland and Labrador
An approved Disability Tax Credit certificate
If both partners in a couple qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, each person may receive the benefit individually.
Maximum Monthly Payment
Up to $400 per month for each eligible adult.
Payment amounts decrease gradually for households with higher incomes according to a phase-out formula.
Next payment date: March 25, 2026
Veteran Disability Pension
The Veteran Disability Pension is a tax-free monthly payment available to former Canadian Armed Forces members who developed medical conditions related to their military service.
Veterans Affairs Canada oversees the program, while Service Canada manages the payment distribution.
Eligible recipients may include:
Canadian Armed Forces veterans
Second World War veterans
Korean War veterans
Certain RCMP members
Civilians who supported Canada’s war efforts
Payment Amount
The pension amount depends on the severity of the disability rather than income levels.
For the highest disability classification (Class 1), the maximum monthly payment in 2026 is:
$3,513.48 per month
Payments increased by approximately 2% in January 2026 to reflect inflation adjustments.
Next payment date: March 26, 2026
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
The Canada Pension Plan is a retirement income program funded through contributions made by workers during their employment years.
Eligibility depends on contributions made while working in Canada. Payments can begin as early as age 60, although starting benefits before age 65 reduces the monthly amount.
Delaying payments beyond age 65 increases the monthly pension amount.
Maximum Monthly CPP Payments For 2026
Retirement pension at age 65
Up to $1,507.65
CPP Disability Benefit
Up to $1,741.20
Post-Retirement Benefit
Up to $54.69
Survivor Pension
Up to $803.54 (under age 65)
Up to $904.59 (age 65 or older)
Children’s Benefit
$307.81 per month
Most recipients receive less than the maximum amounts depending on their individual contribution history.
Next payment date: March 27, 2026
Old Age Security (OAS)
Old Age Security is a monthly benefit available to Canadians aged 65 and older. Unlike CPP, eligibility does not depend on employment history or contributions.
Instead, eligibility for OAS is based on residency in Canada.
To receive the full OAS pension, individuals must have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after turning 18.
A partial pension may be available for people who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18.
Maximum Monthly OAS Payments (2026)
Ages 65 to 74
Up to $742.31 per month
Ages 75 and older
Up to $816.54 per month
Guaranteed Income Supplement (single seniors)
Up to $1,108.74 per month
Allowance (ages 60–64 with spouse receiving GIS)
Up to $1,409.72 per month
Allowance for the Survivor
Up to $1,680.47 per month
Higher-income seniors may have their OAS reduced through the OAS recovery tax.
Next payment date: March 27, 2026
March 2026 Benefit Payment Calendar
Payment Date – Benefit Program – Responsible Agency
March 15, 2026 – Ontario Trillium Benefit – Canada Revenue Agency
March 19, 2026 – Canada Disability Benefit – Service Canada
March 20, 2026 – Canada Child Benefit / BC Family Benefit – Canada Revenue Agency
March 25, 2026 – Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit – Canada Revenue Agency
March 26, 2026 – Veteran Disability Pension – Service Canada
March 27, 2026 – Canada Pension Plan / Old Age Security – Service Canada
Are Newcomers Eligible For These Benefits?
Many newcomers to Canada may qualify for certain government benefits, although eligibility depends on immigration status and residency requirements.
Canada Child Benefit
Permanent residents, protected persons, and some temporary residents may qualify if they have lived in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months and hold a valid permit.
Old Age Security
Requires at least 10 years of Canadian residency after age 18 to receive partial payments.
Canada Pension Plan
Anyone who has worked and contributed to CPP while employed in Canada may receive payments based on their contribution history.
Provincial benefits such as the Ontario Trillium Benefit or BC Family Benefit generally follow similar residency requirements as the Canada Child Benefit.
Filing your annual tax return is the most important step in ensuring you receive all the benefits you qualify for.
Most benefit programs automatically calculate eligibility and payment amounts based on the information reported in your tax return.
If a payment is missing, Canadians should check their CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account to confirm their eligibility and ensure their banking information is up to date.
