Canada’s federal government has released the full 2026 schedule for benefit cheques and direct deposits, covering everything from CPP and Old Age Security to the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credits. Knowing these dates lets households line up bill payments and budget month‑to‑month with far more confidence.
Key 2026 benefits: CPP and OAS dates
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) share the same national payment dates in 2026. Both are issued once a month, usually in the last week, and include related benefits such as CPP disability, survivor benefits and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) that is paid alongside OAS.
For 2026, CPP and OAS will be paid on: January 28, February 25, March 27, April 28, May 27, June 26, July 29, August 27, September 25, October 28, November 26 and December 22. Amounts are indexed to inflation and adjusted quarterly for OAS and annually for CPP, with new rates taking effect in January.
Cheques for families and low‑income households
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is paid monthly and remains a major source of support for families with children under 18. In 2026, CCB deposits are scheduled for January 20, February 20, March 20, April 20, May 20, June 19, July 20, August 20, September 18, October 20, November 20 and December 11. Payment amounts are recalculated every July based on the prior year’s family net income.
The GST/HST credit, which helps offset sales taxes for lower‑ and modest‑income Canadians, will arrive quarterly on January 5, April 2, July 3 and October 5 in 2026. Some provinces and territories also “piggyback” related credits onto these dates, so many households will see multiple lines on their bank statement the same day.
2026 benefits calendar at a glance
Here are the core federal benefit payment dates for 2026, excluding provincial programs like ACFB and OTB that also appear on the national calendar.
| Benefit (federal) | 2026 payment dates (all months) |
|---|---|
| CPP (all types) | Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 27, Apr 28, May 27, Jun 26, Jul 29, Aug 27, Sep 25, Oct 28, Nov 26, Dec 22 |
| OAS (incl. GIS/Allowance) | Same dates as CPP above |
| Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) | Jan 15, Feb 19, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 21, Jun 18, Jul 20, Aug 20, Sep 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17 |
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | Jan 20, Feb 20, Mar 20, Apr 20, May 20, Jun 19, Jul 20, Aug 20, Sep 18, Oct 20, Nov 20, Dec 11 |
| GST/HST credit | Jan 5, Apr 2, Jul 3, Oct 5 |
| Advanced Canada Workers Benefit | Jan 12, Jul 10, Oct 9 |
People in Alberta and Ontario also receive provincial benefits (ACFB and OTB) on quarterly or monthly dates shown on the same federal calendar, which can combine with CRA credits and CCB to create several “stacked” payment days each year.
How and when you’ll be paid
Most benefits are now paid by direct deposit into a bank, credit union, or eligible prepaid account; paper cheques are still possible but discouraged and can take several extra days to arrive by mail. Direct deposits generally show in accounts on the stated date, though exact posting times vary by institution.
The government advises waiting 5–10 business days after the scheduled date before contacting a program about a missing payment, especially if you still receive cheques. Keeping your address and banking details up to date with Service Canada (for CPP, OAS and CDB) and the CRA (for CCB, GST/HST, ACWB and provincial credits) is critical to avoid delays.
Using the 2026 schedule for better budgeting
Knowing your 2026 cheque and deposit dates lets you anchor your monthly budget around predictable income. Seniors often time rent, utility and insurance payments after CPP/OAS days, while families align grocery or childcare spending with CCB deposits. Low‑ and modest‑income households can also plan larger or quarterly expenses around GST/HST and ACWB dates, when extra money hits their account.
Financial planners recommend printing or downloading the official 2026 benefits calendar from Canada.ca and marking major bills and savings transfers around those dates. This approach reduces overdraft risk and helps you prioritize essentials, debt payments and even “pay yourself first” savings into a TFSA or RRSP as soon as benefits arrive.
SOURCE
FAQs
Q1: Where can I see the full 2026 benefits calendar?
The complete list of 2026 payment dates for CPP, OAS, CDB, CCB, GST/HST and more is posted on the federal “Benefits payment dates” page on Canada.ca, with a printable PDF for CPP/OAS.
Q2: Do CPP and OAS always come on the same day?
Yes. In 2026, CPP and OAS—including GIS—are all scheduled for the same 12 monthly dates, from January 28 through December 22.
Q3: What should I do if a benefit doesn’t arrive on the scheduled date?
Check your bank account and online CRA or My Service Canada account, wait a few business days, then contact the relevant program if it still has not appeared, as advised on the benefits calendar.
