Government benefits in BC and Alberta: who qualifies
Most government benefits in BC and Alberta are paid through your tax return. File every year, even with little or no income, and the CRA checks you for the Canada Child Benefit, the GST credit, the Canada Workers Benefit and provincial top-ups. Rent help, dental care and some seniors' benefits need an application too.
Finvo is not part of any government. Each program decides who qualifies.
Rent help in BC and Alberta
BC Housing pays monthly rent help to lower-income working families (the Rental Assistance Program) and to renters 60 and over (SAFER). In Alberta, the Rent Assistance Benefit helps renters with low income. BC renters can also claim a renter's tax credit on their return.
Who qualifies
BC Rental Assistance Program (families)
- Household income of $60,000 or less before tax, and under $100,000 in assets
- At least one dependent child, and you've lived in BC for 12 months
- Rent takes more than 30% of household income; not on income or disability assistance
SAFER (BC renters 60 and over)
- Age 60 or older, with gross income under $40,000 a year
- Lived in BC for 12 months; rent takes more than 30% of income
Alberta Rent Assistance Benefit
- Income below the local limit for your community; priority goes to those most in need
RAP and SAFER also need a tax return filed every year and citizenship or residency status. People in subsidized housing or co-op shareholders can't get them.
How much and how it's paid
- RAP and SAFER
- Monthly payments. The amount depends on your income, rent and household. BC Housing's help-with-rent calculator gives an estimate. You reapply every year.
- B.C. renter's tax credit
- Up to $400 a year, claimed on your return. For 2025 it shrinks above adjusted income of $64,764 and ends at $84,764 ($66,189 and $86,189 for 2026). You must rent in BC for at least 6 months of the year.
- Alberta Rent Assistance Benefit
- Paid directly to you, based on household income and local market rent, and renewable each year. A Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (up to 2 years) helps working households in larger centres.
How to get it
RAP and SAFER: apply to BC Housing with last year's tax return and notice of assessment (or let CRA share them). The renter's tax credit goes on your return. In Alberta, use the Find Housing tool and apply through your local housing provider.
Our help: we file your return so your notice of assessment is ready, and claim the renter's credit.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) helps pay for oral health care, such as checkups, cleanings and fillings, for residents who don't have dental insurance and whose adjusted family net income is under $90,000.
Who qualifies
You must meet all four rules:
- You don't have access to dental insurance, through a job, a pension, or a family member's plan
- Your adjusted family net income is under $90,000
- You filed last year's tax return in Canada, and so did your spouse or common-law partner
- You're a resident of Canada for tax purposes
Children, adults and seniors who meet these rules can apply.
How much and how it's paid
- Under $70,000 family income
- No co-payment for covered services at the plan's rates.
- $70,000 to $79,999
- You pay 40% of the plan's rate (a co-payment) to the dentist or hygienist.
- $80,000 to $89,999
- You pay 60% of the plan's rate (a co-payment) to the dentist or hygienist.
- How it's paid
- The plan pays your oral health provider directly. Providers may charge more than the plan covers, so ask before treatment.
How to get it
File your tax return first, then apply online, by phone or at a Service Canada office. Coverage runs by benefit year, and you renew each spring (the 2026 renewal window ran 15 April to 1 June).
Our help: we file your return, and your spouse's, so your income can be checked.
Child benefits: CCB, BC and Alberta
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18. BC adds the B.C. family benefit to the same monthly payment; Alberta pays the Alberta Child and Family Benefit four times a year.
Who qualifies
- A child under 18 lives with you, and you're mainly responsible for their care
- You're a resident of Canada for tax purposes and meet the CCB status rules
- You, and your spouse or partner, file a tax return every year
- B.C. family benefit: you live in BC and your child is registered for the CCB
- Alberta Child and Family Benefit: you live in Alberta, qualify for the CCB and meet the income rules
Amounts go down as adjusted family net income goes up. Shared custody pays half for each parent.
How much and how it's paid
- Canada Child Benefit
- July 2026 to June 2027: up to $8,157 a year ($679.75 a month) per child under 6, and $6,883 ($573.58 a month) per child aged 6 to 17. Full amount when 2025 family income is under $38,237.
- B.C. family benefit
- Up to $1,750 for the first child, $1,100 for the second and $900 for each other child a year, in full under $30,176. Single parents can get up to $500 more. Paid monthly with the CCB.
- Alberta Child and Family Benefit
- 2026–27 base component up to $1,529 for one child (up to $3,821 for four or more), plus a working component up to $782 (up to $2,061). Paid in August, November, February and May.
How to get it
Register your child for the CCB when you register the birth, through CRA My Account, or with form RC66. BC and Alberta then check you automatically. Keep filing every year: the July payments are based on last year's return.
Our help: we file both parents' returns on time and check your children are registered.
The GST credit, now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
In July 2026 the GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: the same quarterly, tax-free payment for people with low and modest incomes, raised by 25% for five years.
Who qualifies
- You're a resident of Canada for tax purposes
- You're 19 or older, or you have a spouse or partner, or you're a parent living with your child
- Your adjusted family net income is low or modest
- You filed last year's tax return, even with no income
The rules are the same as the old GST/HST credit. If you got that credit, you likely qualify for this benefit.
How much and how it's paid
- July 2026 to June 2027
- Up to $679 if you're single, $890 for a couple, plus $234 per child under 19, based on your 2025 return. Paid around the 5th of July, October, January and April.
- B.C. climate action tax credit
- Ended. BC eliminated its consumer carbon tax on 1 April 2025, and the April 2025 payment was the last. You can still get it for 2023 and earlier years by filing those returns.
- Canada Carbon Rebate
- Ended. The federal rebate, paid in Alberta but not in BC, made its final payment in April 2025.
How to get it
You don't apply. File your return each year, and the CRA works out the benefit and pays it automatically. If you're new to Canada, apply for the year you arrive with form RC151.
Our help: we file your return each year, and missed years too.
The Canada Workers Benefit
The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit for people who work and earn a low income. You claim it on your return, and up to half can be paid in advance during the next year.
Who qualifies
- You earn working income from a job or your own business
- You're 19 or older on 31 December, or you live with a spouse, partner or your child
- You were a resident of Canada for the whole year
- Your adjusted net income is under the limit for your province and family
- A disability supplement applies if you're approved for the disability tax credit
Self-employed income counts as working income, so drivers and freelancers can qualify too.
How much and how it's paid
- Single (2025 tax year)
- Up to $1,633. It shrinks above adjusted net income of $26,855 and ends at $37,742.
- Families (2025 tax year)
- Up to $2,813. It shrinks above adjusted family net income of $30,639 and ends at $49,393.
- Advance payments
- Up to 50% paid in three advances (July, October and January) if you qualified last year. Plus a disability supplement of up to $843.
These figures apply in BC. Alberta residents have their own CWB amounts, shown on canada.ca.
How to get it
Claim it on Schedule 6 with your tax return. The CRA decides on advance payments when it assesses your return; there's nothing extra to apply for. Advances are shown on an RC210 slip and reported on your next return.
Our help: we prepare your return, including self-employment income, and claim the CWB.
Disability Tax Credit and the Canada Disability Benefit
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) lowers income tax for people with a severe and prolonged impairment, and approval opens other programs. The Canada Disability Benefit, paid since July 2025, is a monthly payment for working-age people with low income.
Who qualifies
Disability Tax Credit
- A severe and prolonged impairment, certified by a medical practitioner on form T2201
- The CRA approves the application; a supporting family member may claim unused amounts
Canada Disability Benefit
- Age 18 to 64, approved for the DTC, and a resident of Canada
- You filed last year's tax return (and your spouse or partner did too)
- Your income is under the limit for your family
How much and how it's paid
- Canada Disability Benefit
- Up to $204.20 a month from July 2026 to June 2027. A single person gets the full amount if income, after up to $10,000 of working income is set aside, is $23,000 or less. Paid monthly.
- Disability Tax Credit
- A non-refundable credit that lowers the tax you owe. Approval can also add the CWB disability supplement and an extra amount with the CCB for children.
- RDSP
- A Registered Disability Savings Plan is a long-term savings plan for people approved for the DTC. The government may add grants and bonds.
How to get it
Apply for the DTC first with form T2201. Once approved, apply for the Canada Disability Benefit through Service Canada, online, by phone or in person. File every year so both stay in place.
Our help: we file your return and claim the DTC once approved, including on past years.
Seniors: OAS, GIS and provincial top-ups
Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly pension from age 65. The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) adds more for seniors with low income. BC adds the Senior's Supplement; Alberta has the Alberta Seniors Benefit.
Who qualifies
OAS and GIS
- OAS: 65 or older, living in Canada, and in Canada at least 10 years after turning 18
- GIS: you get OAS and your income is low (under $23,112 if single)
BC Senior's Supplement
- A permanent BC resident with low income who gets OAS and GIS
Alberta Seniors Benefit
- 65 or older, in Alberta for 3 months, a citizen or permanent resident, and getting OAS
- Income about $32,690 or less if single, $53,800 for a couple (from July 2026)
How much and how it's paid
- OAS (October to December 2026)
- Up to $762.50 a month at 65 to 74, and $838.75 at 75 and over. OAS is taxable income.
- GIS (October to December 2026)
- Up to $1,138.90 a month if single. It's recalculated each July from last year's income.
- BC Senior's Supplement
- $1.00 to $99.30 a month for a single senior, up to $220.50 for a couple. Paid monthly with OAS and GIS.
- Alberta Seniors Benefit
- Up to $3,946 a year for a single homeowner or renter, paid monthly and reduced as income rises.
How to get it
Service Canada enrols many people in OAS automatically; if not, you apply. GIS and the BC Senior's Supplement renew from your tax return. The Alberta Seniors Benefit needs its own application. Renting in BC at 60 or older? See SAFER.
Our help: we file your return every year so GIS doesn't stop.
Why filing your taxes matters for benefits
Your tax return is how governments learn your income and family. No return usually means no benefit, even when you'd qualify.
File every year, even with little or no income
A return showing $0 income can still bring in the GST credit, child benefits and provincial top-ups. Without it, the CRA has nothing to work from.
Your partner files too
Most benefits use family income, so your spouse or common-law partner needs a return as well, even if they earned nothing.
Last year's return sets this year's payments
Benefits run from July to June, based on the year before. File by 30 April so July's payments start on time.
Every benefit on this page, at a glance
| Benefit | Where | Needs a filed return? | How you get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Child Benefit | BC and Alberta | Yes, both parents | Register your child once |
| B.C. family benefit | BC | Yes | Automatic with the CCB |
| Alberta Child and Family Benefit | Alberta | Yes | Automatic with the CCB |
| Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | BC and Alberta | Yes | Automatic when you file |
| Canada Workers Benefit | BC and Alberta | Yes | Claim on Schedule 6 |
| B.C. renter's tax credit | BC | Yes | Claim on your return |
| Rental Assistance Program and SAFER | BC | Yes | Apply to BC Housing each year |
| Rent Assistance Benefit | Alberta | Proof of income needed | Apply to a local housing provider |
| Canadian Dental Care Plan | BC and Alberta | Yes, you and your partner | Apply, then renew each year |
| Canada Disability Benefit | BC and Alberta | Yes | DTC first, then apply |
| OAS and GIS | BC and Alberta | Yes, for GIS | Often automatic, or apply |
| BC Senior's Supplement | BC | Yes, through GIS | Automatic |
| Alberta Seniors Benefit | Alberta | Yes, or an income form | Apply to Alberta |
Government benefits, answered
Do I need to file taxes to get government benefits?
Usually, yes. The CRA uses your tax return, and your spouse's or partner's, to work out the Canada Child Benefit, the GST credit (now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit), the Canada Workers Benefit and the BC and Alberta family benefits. Rent help, dental care and the Canada Disability Benefit also check your return. File every year, even with little or no income.
What benefits can I get in BC?
Depending on your income and family, BC residents may get the B.C. family benefit with the Canada Child Benefit, the B.C. renter's tax credit of up to $400, rent help from BC Housing through the Rental Assistance Program for families or SAFER for renters 60 and over, and the Senior's Supplement on top of OAS and GIS. Federal benefits apply too.
What benefits are there in Alberta?
Alberta residents may get the Alberta Child and Family Benefit, paid four times a year with a base and a working component, the Rent Assistance Benefit through local housing providers, and the Alberta Seniors Benefit for lower-income seniors 65 and over who receive OAS. Federal benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Workers Benefit apply too.
What happened to the GST credit and the climate action tax credit?
In July 2026 the GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, with the same eligibility rules and higher amounts for five years. BC eliminated its consumer carbon tax on April 1, 2025, and the B.C. climate action tax credit ended with its April 2025 payment. The federal Canada Carbon Rebate, paid in Alberta, also ended with a final payment in April 2025.
I'm new to Canada. How do I start getting benefits?
If you have children, apply for the Canada Child Benefit with form RC66 or through CRA My Account. Apply for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit with form RC151 for the year you arrive. After that, file a tax return every year, for you and your spouse or partner, and the CRA works out your benefits for each July-to-June year.
Can I get benefits for years I didn't file?
Often, yes. When you file a past year's return, the CRA works out the benefits and credits for that year and pays what you were entitled to. For example, BC residents who never filed for 2023 or earlier can still get the climate action tax credit for those years. Rent help programs look at your most recent return instead.
Are these benefits taxable?
Most of them are not. The Canada Child Benefit, the B.C. family benefit, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit and the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit are tax-free. Old Age Security is taxable income, so it goes on your return. We check how each payment is reported when we prepare your return.
How can Finvo help with benefits?
We prepare and file your tax return each year, including past years you missed, so the CRA can work out your benefits. We check that your children are registered for the Canada Child Benefit and that credits like the B.C. renter's tax credit are claimed. Finvo is not part of any government. Each program decides who qualifies.
Finvo is not part of any government. Each program decides who qualifies. Amounts are maximums for the periods shown; what you get depends on your income and family.
Sources, checked 27 Oct 2026. Programs change their amounts every year, usually in July. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice for your situation.
- BC Housing, Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER), bchousing.org (content current as of 22 Sep 2026): $60,000 income and $100,000 asset limits, dependent child, 30% of income on rent, 12 months in BC, age 60 and $40,000 income for SAFER, yearly reapplication.
- Government of BC, B.C. renter's tax credit (updated 12 Jan 2026): up to $400; 2025 thresholds $64,764 and $84,764; 2026 thresholds $66,189 and $86,189; 6 one-month periods.
- Government of Alberta, Rent assistance, alberta.ca: Rent Assistance Benefit and Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (2-year limit).
- Government of Canada, Canadian Dental Care Plan: Do you qualify, canada.ca: four requirements, $90,000 income limit, co-payment 40% from $70,000 to $79,999 and 60% from $80,000 to $89,999; ESDC news release (Apr 2026) on the 15 April to 1 June 2026 renewal period.
- CRA, Canada child benefit: How much you can get, canada.ca: July 2026 to June 2027 maximums $8,157 and $6,883; $38,237 threshold; 2025 base year.
- Government of BC, B.C. family benefit (updated 17 Jun 2026): $1,750 / $1,100 / $900; $30,176 threshold; $500 single-parent supplement.
- Government of Alberta, Alberta Child and Family Benefit, alberta.ca: 2026–27 base and working component maximums; quarterly payments.
- CRA, Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (RC4210 and payments chart for July 2026 to June 2027) and Department of Finance backgrounder (Jan 2026), canada.ca: replaces the GST/HST credit from July 2026; $679 / $890 / $234; 25% increase for five years.
- Government of BC, Climate action tax credit (updated 12 Jan 2026) and BC Gov News, "B.C. eliminates carbon tax" (31 Mar 2025): program ended, April 2025 final payment. CRA, Canada Carbon Rebate (closed), canada.ca: final payment April 2025.
- CRA, Canada workers benefit: How much you can get and Advanced Canada workers benefit, canada.ca: 2025 amounts and thresholds; $843 disability supplement; up to 50% in advance.
- Government of Canada, Canada Disability Benefit (How much you could receive; Payments), canada.ca: up to $204.20 a month for July 2026 to June 2027; age 18 to 64; DTC; payments since July 2025.
- Government of Canada, Old Age Security payment amounts and Guaranteed Income Supplement, canada.ca: October to December 2026 maximums $762.50 / $838.75 and $1,138.90; $23,112 single income limit.
- Government of BC, Senior's Supplement (updated 18 Sep 2026): $1.00 to $99.30 single, up to $220.50 couples; automatic.
- Government of Alberta, Alberta Seniors Benefit, alberta.ca: eligibility; $32,690 / $53,800 income guidelines from 1 July 2026; $3,946 single maximum.
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