Guidepost

Government Benefits

Canadian Government Benefits

Plain-language guides to major federal benefit programs: who qualifies, what the income thresholds are, and how to apply. Every dollar amount and threshold on these pages is date-stamped: government benefit figures re-index annually.

Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)

DTC required

Monthly, non-taxable financial support for working-age Canadians with disabilities. Maximum $200/month ($2,400/year) for the July 2025 – June 2026 benefit year.

Who: Canadians aged 18–64 with an approved Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
Income cap: $23,000 (single) / $32,500 (couple) for full benefit, as of 2026-07
Income-tested · Non-taxable · Annual index

Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

All ages

Federal dental coverage for eligible Canadians without private dental insurance. Now open to all ages. Administered by Sun Life; providers bill Sun Life directly.

Who: Canadians with no private dental insurance and family income under $90,000
Income cap: Under $90,000 adjusted family net income, as of 2026-07
No private insurance required · Annual renewal

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)

Renamed 2026

The GST/HST credit, renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026 with a 25% increase through 2031. What it is, the quarterly payment dates, and the under-$50-a-quarter rule.

Who: Anyone who qualified for the GST/HST credit, paid automatically when you file taxes
Income cap: Income-tested: same calculation base as the GST/HST credit
Automatic via tax filing · Quarterly · Non-taxable

More benefits coming

Future guides will cover the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and the First Home Savings Account (FHSA). CPP retirement, Old Age Security (OAS), the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Allowances are now covered in the Turning 65 guide.

Turning 65?

CPP retirement pension, Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Allowances, explained together, with a free personalized checklist.

Turning 65 guide →

Just laid off?

Employment Insurance has a 4-week clock that starts on your last day of work. The guide covers the deadline, the application, the Record of Employment, and a free personalized checklist.

Laid off: applying for EI →

Already on ODSP in Ontario?

Medical reviews, a file that has been suspended, monthly reporting and overpayments, school and OSAP, and what to do when nobody answers. The administrative side, with the deadlines.

ODSP: keeping your file in good standing →

Need the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) first?

The DTC is the mandatory gateway to the Canada Disability Benefit. If you don't have an approved DTC yet, start there.

Disability Tax Credit guide →

My CRA account was hacked

If someone accessed your CRA My Account without your permission, securing it comes before applying for any benefit.

My CRA account was hacked →

Last verified: July 2026 · Benefit figures change annually. Verify at canada.ca before applying.

Guidepost is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice. Full disclaimer.