Across Canada, millions of residents will receive government benefit payments during March 2026. These payments are issued by both the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada and are designed to support families, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income households.
In total, eight different federal and provincial benefit programs are scheduled to distribute funds throughout the month. Some payments are issued automatically based on your most recent tax return, while others depend on factors such as age, disability status, residency, or family situation.
The March payment cycle begins on March 15 and continues until March 27. Canadians who have direct deposit set up will usually see the funds arrive directly in their bank accounts on the scheduled payment date.
Goodbye to Service Canada Delays: Faster $1,500 Payments Roll Out Nationwide 12 March 2026
Below is a simplified guide to the main benefits being paid this month, including eligibility details, payment amounts, and the exact dates to expect the deposits.
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a monthly payment available to Ontario residents with low or moderate incomes. It combines three different credits into one payment to help households manage everyday costs such as energy bills, property taxes, and sales tax.
Although the benefit is provincial, the Canada Revenue Agency manages and distributes the payments.
Eligibility and payment amounts are calculated using your most recent tax return. For the first half of 2026, the CRA continues using information from the 2024 tax return until payments are recalculated in July 2026 based on 2025 income.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit includes three components:
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
Northern Ontario Energy Credit
Ontario Sales Tax Credit
Recipients may qualify for one or multiple credits depending on their 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
Additional $23.75 may be available for people 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 newer federal program designed to provide additional financial support for working-age Canadians with disabilities. The program officially launched in July 2025 and expanded the country’s disability support 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 thresholds
Payments are administered by Service Canada and are typically issued on the 19th of each month.
Individuals who were approved after the initial launch of the program may receive retroactive payments for eligible months, sometimes going back up to two years.
Maximum Monthly Payment
The maximum Canada Disability Benefit payment is $200 per month.
However, the actual payment depends on income levels. Individuals with lower incomes generally receive the full amount, while higher earners receive reduced payments.
If the total yearly payment amount is less than $240, Service Canada may issue the benefit as a single lump-sum payment instead of 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 issued to the primary caregiver of the child.
To qualify, families must:
Live with the child
Be responsible for the child’s daily care
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 incomes may still receive payments, although the amount gradually decreases as income increases.
Child Disability Benefit
Families with children who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit can receive an additional payment of up to $284.25 per month.
Some provinces also provide extra child benefit payments 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 who live in British Columbia.
Although it is funded by the provincial government, the Canada Revenue Agency administers the payments and sends them out alongside the Canada Child Benefit.
Families who already receive the CCB and live in British Columbia are automatically assessed for this benefit.
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 baby’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 extra financial assistance to adults living with disabilities in the province.
The program launched at the same time as 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 per eligible adult.
Payment amounts decrease gradually for households with higher incomes based on 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 handles 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 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 careers.
Eligibility depends on contributions made while working in Canada. Payments can begin as early as age 60, though starting before age 65 reduces the monthly amount.
Delaying payments beyond age 65 increases the monthly pension.
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 amount depending on their contribution history.
Next payment date: March 27, 2026
Old Age Security (OAS)
Old Age Security is a monthly benefit for Canadians aged 65 and older. Unlike CPP, eligibility does not depend on employment history or contributions.
Instead, OAS eligibility 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 is 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 can 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.
