CRA Benefit Payments Coming in September 2026: What Newcomers Could Get

Here’s a look at the major CRA benefit payments expected in September 2026, along with who is eligible and how much you could receive.

Key Takeaways

• Canada Child Benefit payments arrive on September 18, together with most provincial and territorial child benefits.
• Ontario residents who qualify can expect their Ontario Trillium Benefit payment on September 10.
• Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and Guaranteed Income Supplement payments are scheduled for September 25.
• Filing your annual tax return is the key to receiving most CRA benefits, even if you earned little or no income.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) – September 18, 2026

The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment that helps eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18. September’s payment is part of the 2026-27 benefit year, with monthly amounts calculated using your family’s 2025 adjusted net income.

Who Qualifies for the Canada Child Benefit?

You may qualify if you live with a child under 18 and are primarily responsible for that child’s care and upbringing.

You or your spouse or common-law partner must also be one of the following:

• A Canadian citizen
• A permanent resident
• A protected person
• A temporary resident who has lived in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months while holding a valid permit

If you’ve recently moved to Canada, you can apply for the Canada Child Benefit as soon as you receive a Social Insurance Number (SIN). You do not have to wait until you’ve filed your first Canadian tax return.

How Much Could You Receive Under the Canada Child Benefit?

For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, eligible families can receive up to:

• $8,157 annually ($679.75 per month) for each child under age six
• $6,883 annually ($573.58 per month) for each child aged six to 17

Families with an adjusted family net income below $38,237 receive the maximum payment. As your household income increases, the monthly benefit is gradually reduced.

Provincial Child Benefits Paid with the CCB

For most families, the CCB deposit coming on September 18 will also include any provincial or territorial child benefits they qualify for.

Current maximum monthly amounts include:

• British Columbia Family Benefit: Up to $145.83 for the first child, $91.66 for the second child, and $75 for each additional child
• Ontario Child Benefit: Up to $146.66 per child
• Nova Scotia Child Benefit: Up to $127.08 per child
• New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit: Up to $20.83 per child, plus the New Brunswick Working Income Supplement for eligible families
• Prince Edward Island Child Benefit: Up to $34.16 per child
• Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit: Up to $157.33 per child
• Yukon Child Benefit: Up to $80.50 per child
• Northwest Territories Child Benefit: Up to $67.91 for one child under six or $54.33 for one child aged six to 17
• Nunavut Child Benefit: Up to $29 per child, plus a territorial workers’ supplement of up to $24.16 for eligible families

Each province has its own income threshold, over which the monthly benefit amounts begin phasing out and eventually end.

Families in Alberta and Quebec receive provincial child benefits separately, not together with the CCB. Manitoba does not offer a provincial child benefit.

Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) – September 10, 2026

The Ontario Trillium Benefit combines three Ontario tax credits into one monthly payment for eligible residents:

• Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
• Northern Ontario Energy Credit
• Ontario Sales Tax Credit

Who Qualifies for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

To receive the OTB, you must be an Ontario resident who filed an income tax return. Your eligibility depends on which credits apply to your circumstances.

For example:

• The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit may be available if you paid rent or property tax on your principal residence, or lived in a public long-term care home.
• The Northern Ontario Energy Credit is for eligible residents of northern Ontario who paid housing or energy costs.
• The Ontario Sales Tax Credit is generally available to adults with low or moderate incomes, including people with a spouse or common-law partner or those raising children.

How Much Could You Receive Under the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

Your payment depends on factors such as your income, age, rent or property tax paid, and where you live.

Maximum annual amounts include:

• Ontario Sales Tax Credit: Up to $378 per eligible adult and child
• Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: Up to $1,307 for adults aged 18 to 64, or up to $1,488 for seniors aged 65 and over
• Northern Ontario Energy Credit: Up to $189 for single individuals or $290 per family

Most recipients receive monthly deposits equal to 1/12^th of your annual Ontario Trillium Benefit total. If your annual entitlement was less than $500, you likely received a single lumpsum payment earlier in the benefit year.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) – September 25, 2026

The Canada Pension Plan provides monthly retirement income to people who contributed to the plan during their working years. Unlike most government benefits covered in this article, CPP payments are taxable.

Residents of Quebec participate in the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) instead.

Who Qualifies for the Canada Pension Plan?

You can begin receiving CPP any time between ages 60 and 70.

To qualify, you must have made at least one valid CPP contribution while working in Canada. If you spent part of your career abroad, Canada’s social security agreements with 50+ countries may allow you to combine contribution periods to help you qualify.

How Much Could You Receive Under the Canada Pension Plan?

As of January 2026, the maximum monthly CPP retirement pension at age 65 is $1,507.65.

Most Canadians receive less than the maximum because their contribution history differs in terms of earnings, years worked, and the age they choose to start collecting CPP.

Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) – September 25, 2026

Old Age Security is a monthly pension available to many Canadians aged 65 and older. It is funded through general government revenues rather than employment contributions.

The Guaranteed Income Supplement provides additional monthly financial support to low-income seniors who already receive OAS.

Who Qualifies for OAS and GIS?

To qualify for OAS, you generally must:

• Be at least 65 years old
• Have legal status in Canada
• Meet the residency requirements for the pension

Receiving the full OAS pension usually requires 40 years of Canadian residence after age 18, although partial pensions are available for many people who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years.

GIS is available only to people already receiving OAS whose income falls below the program’s limit of $22,800 per year.

How Much Could You Receive Under OAS and GIS?

Currently, the maximum monthly OAS amounts are:

• $751.97 for people aged 65 to 74
• $827.17 for people aged 75 and older

Eligible seniors receiving GIS may receive up to $1,123.17 per month, depending on their income and family situation.

Why Filing Your Tax Return Matters for CRA Benefits

Most government benefits are recalculated every year using the information from your most recent tax return. Payments made during the second half of 2026 are generally based on your 2025 income tax return.

Even if you had little or no income, filing a tax return helps ensure the CRA can determine whether you qualify for benefits. It is also a good idea to keep your personal information up to date, including your address, marital status, number of children, and direct deposit details.

For newcomers, the Canada Child Benefit is one of the few programs you can apply for before filing your first Canadian tax return. Once you’ve applied, filing your taxes every year will help you continue receiving CRA benefits to which you’re entitled.