Benefits and family guides
Explainers for Canada, with named sources and checked dates where available.
All 18 guides
Explainer1 min
The federal Canada Workers Benefit has separate maximum amounts and income reduction thresholds for single individuals without children and for families.
Source: CRA, 2026 indexed tax and benefit amounts · Checked
Explainer1 min
The GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026, with published annual maximums for the July 2026 to June 2027 period.
Source: CRA, Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit amounts · Checked
Explainer1 min
The Canada Disability Benefit is an income-tested payment, while the disability tax credit reduces income tax and is an eligibility requirement for the benefit.
Source: Service Canada, Canada Disability Benefit amounts · Checked
Explainer1 min
The Canadian Dental Care Plan uses adjusted family net income for eligibility and co-payments, with coverage based on the plan's established fees.
Source: Health Canada, Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage · Checked
Explainer1 min
An RDSP can receive contribution-matching grants and income-tested bonds, with separate lifetime limits and annually indexed income thresholds.
Source: ESDC, 2026 RDSP income matching rules · Checked
Explainer1 min
The Canada Learning Bond adds government money to an eligible child's RESP without requiring personal contributions.
Source: ESDC, Canada Learning Bond eligibility and amounts · Checked
Explainer1 min
CRA marks the Canada Carbon Rebate for individuals as closed and distinguishes the final quarterly payment from payments following late returns.
Source: CRA, Canada Carbon Rebate payment timing · Checked
Explainer1 min
EI maternity and standard parental benefits use a higher weekly rate than extended parental benefits, with different limits on weeks available.
Source: ESDC, EI maternity and parental benefits · Checked
Explainer1 min
The Canada caregiver credit concerns support for a family member with an infirmity; amounts depend on the relationship and other claims.
Source: CRA, Indexation adjustment for personal income tax and benefit amounts · Checked
Explainer1 min
The Child Disability Benefit provides a tax-free monthly payment for families caring for a child under 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment, up to a published annual maximum.
Source: CRA, Child Disability Benefit · Checked
Explainer2 min
The Canada Student Grant for full-time students provides up to $4,200 per year, with eligibility determined by family income and the number of people in the family.
Source: ESDC, Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students · Checked
Explainer2 min
The Canada CPP disability benefit is a monthly payment for contributors aged 18 to 64 whose disability prevents substantially gainful work, with a published January 2026 maximum.
Source: ESDC, CPP disability benefit · Checked
Explainer2 min
The Canada CPP survivor's pension is a monthly payment for the spouse or common-law partner of a deceased CPP contributor, with separate amounts for those under 65 and 65 or older.
Source: ESDC, CPP survivor's pension · Checked
Explainer1 min
The Canada CPP death benefit is a one-time payment made to the estate or eligible individuals on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor, with a basic amount of $2,500 and a possible top-up.
Source: ESDC, CPP death benefit · Checked
Explainer1 min
The CRA calculates CCB using the number and ages of eligible children and adjusted family net income. The July 2026 to June 2027 payment period uses 2025 income.
Source: Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Child Benefit calculation · Checked
Explainer1 min
The Canada Education Savings Grant adds to eligible RESP contributions. Basic grant limits and carried-forward grant room are distinct from RESP contribution limits.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada, education savings amounts · Checked
Explainer2 min
The Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor have separate monthly maximums and income tests for people aged 60 to 64.
Source: ESDC, Old Age Security amounts for October to December 2026 · Checked
Explainer2 min
The child care expenses deduction has annual per-child limits and rules that generally assign the claim to the person with lower net income.
Source: CRA, line 21400 child care expenses for 2025 · Checked