March 2026 Government Benefit Payments in Canada
Last Updated On 1 March 2026, 10:56 AM EST (Toronto Time)
March 2026 brings a fresh round of government benefit payments for millions of Canadians across every province and territory.
Between the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada, 8 different benefit programs are sending money directly to eligible Canadians this month.
Whether you’re raising children, living with a disability, collecting retirement income, or managing household costs on a fixed budget, there’s likely at least one payment heading your way.
Most payments land automatically based on your most recent tax return, while others depend on your age, residency, or personal circumstances.
The payment schedule runs throughout March, starting with the first CRA benefit payment on March 10 and ending with the last payments on March 27.
Here’s everything you need to know about each benefit, including who qualifies, how much you can receive, and when the money will hit your account.
CRA Benefit Payments In March 2026
Ontario Trillium Benefit
The Ontario Trillium Benefit combines three separate credits into a single monthly payment for Ontario residents with low to moderate incomes.
It’s designed to offset the costs of energy bills, property taxes, and sales tax, making everyday essentials more affordable.
Although it’s a provincial benefit, the Canada Revenue Agency handles all OTB payments.
The amount you receive depends on your 2024 tax return until June 2026, when payments will be recalculated based on your 2025 income.
The OTB includes three components: the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC), and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC).
You might qualify for one, two, or all three depending on your situation.
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- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC): Up to $106.91 per month if you’re between 18 and 64, or up to $121.75 if you’re 65 or older.
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- Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC): Up to $15.41 per month for individuals living alone, or up to $23.75 for families in Northern Ontario communities.
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- Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC): Up to $30.91 per month for each member of your household, including children.
Next payment date: March 10, 2026
Canada Disability Benefit
The Canada Disability Benefit is a relatively new federal program that provides monthly financial support to working-age adults living with disabilities.
It launched in July 2025 and represents a significant expansion of Canada’s disability support system.
To qualify, you must be between 18 and 64 years old, hold a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, and have income below certain thresholds.
The benefit is administered by Service Canada and paid out on the 19th of each month.
If you were approved after the initial July 2025 launch, your first payment may include retroactive amounts going back up to two years, provided you were eligible during that time.
The maximum Canada Disability Benefit payment is $200 per month, though the actual amount depends on your income level.
Lower-income recipients generally receive the full amount, while those with higher incomes receive reduced payments.
If your total annual benefit works out to less than $240, Service Canada pays it as a single lump sum instead of monthly installments.
Next payment date: March 19, 2026
Canada Child Benefit
The Canada Child Benefit remains one of the largest benefit programs in the country, providing tax-free monthly payments to families raising children under 18.
It’s administered by the CRA and paid to the parent or guardian who primarily takes care of the child.
To receive CCB, you must live with the child and be their primary caregiver.
You also need to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and either you or your spouse must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or meet other immigration status requirements.
March 2026 payments are still based on your 2024 income tax return.
The benefit year runs from July to June, so new rates based on 2025 income will kick in starting July 2026.
For the 2025-26 benefit year, families with adjusted net incomes under $37,487 may receive the maximum monthly amounts:
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- Children under 6: Up to $666.41 per month ($7,997 per year)
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- Children aged 6 to 17: Up to $562.33 per month ($6,748 per year)
Families earning more than $37,487 still receive payments, but the amount gradually decreases as income rises.
The CCB also includes the Child Disability Benefit, which adds up to $284.25 per month for children who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit.
Several provinces and territories add their own child benefits to the CCB payment, which can increase your total by up to $305.66 per child depending on where you live.
Next payment date: March 20, 2026
BC Family Benefit
The BC Family Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18 who live in British Columbia.
It’s funded by the provincial government but administered and paid out by the CRA alongside the Canada Child Benefit.
Like the CCB, eligibility is based on your family’s adjusted net income and the number of children in your care.
