In the next few weeks, millions of people in Ontario will get three separate CRA benefit payments in their bank accounts.
The Canada Revenue Agency has confirmed that the three payments will arrive on different days in April 2026, and each one will be for a different reason.
When these three payments are added together for one month of financial help, some families could get more than $1,000.
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April 2026 is even more important because all three of these benefit programs will see big increases starting in July 2026.
Knowing exactly what you’ll get this month before the increases go into effect will help you plan your household finances with confidence.
Here is all the information that people in Ontario need to know about the three CRA benefit payments that will be sent out in April 2026. This includes the exact dates, the new amounts, the rules for who can get them, and the fact that the amounts will be higher in July 2026.
Payment for the GST/HST Credit
The first of three benefit payments in April will be made on Wednesday, April 2, 2026. The Canada Revenue Agency will put the quarterly GST/HST credit into bank accounts that are eligible across Ontario and the rest of Canada.
This tax-free payment every three months is meant to help low- and moderate-income people and families pay for the goods and services tax they pay on everyday purchases all year long.
The April payment is the last quarterly payment for the benefit year from July 2026 to June 2027. This means that the amount you get is based on your 2024 tax return.
If there have been no changes to the household’s income, marital status, or the number of dependent children living there, the April 2 deposit will be the same amount as what they got in January 2026.
Maximum GST/HST Credit Amounts for April 2026
The CRA has confirmed the following maximum annual GST/HST credit amounts for the current benefit year, which runs from July 2026 to June 2027.
These maximum amounts are for families and people whose adjusted family net income is less than the first income threshold for the base year 2024.
The amount you get depends on your adjusted family net income, whether or not you are married, and how many kids in your household are eligible and under 19 years old.
If the CRA figured out that your total annual GST/HST credit was less than $50 per quarter in July 2026, you would have gotten the whole amount in one payment instead of in quarterly installments.
This spring, there will be a new one-time 50% GST top-up payment.
This extra payment is equal to half of the recipient’s total GST/HST credit value for 2026 to 2027
The government has promised to make this payment as soon as possible this spring, but it must be made by June 2026 at the latest.
To get the top-up bonus, you need to have gotten the January 2026 GST/HST credit payment.
You don’t need to fill out any more forms or sign up to get this one-time payment. The CRA will use the same payment information from your January deposit to send you the bonus.
The GST/HST Credit will be replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will officially take over the GST/HST credit starting in July 2026.
This isn’t just a name change; it’s a historic expansion of the program with payments that are much higher.
The benefit amount will go up by 25% for five years, starting with the payment in July 2026 and ending in 2031.
The new name better describes the goal of helping Canadian families pay for basic needs like food, household items, and everyday purchases.
Payment for the Ontario Trillium Benefit
On Friday, April 10, 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency will deposit the monthly Ontario Trillium Benefit on behalf of the Ontario government. This is the second major benefit payment for people in Ontario.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a tax-free payment that combines three different provincial credits into one monthly deposit. It is meant to help low- and moderate-income residents of Ontario pay for basic living costs.
The CRA runs the OTB for the Province of Ontario, and you can see it in your bank account as Canada Pro Deposit.
An eligible family in Ontario can get up to $3,230 in combined OTB support over the course of the full benefit year. This makes it one of the most valuable but least known provincial benefit programs in Canada.
Three Credits in the Ontario Trillium Benefit
The Ontario Trillium Benefit combines three different provincial tax credits into one easy-to-manage monthly payment.
You only need to meet the requirements for one of these three credits to get the benefit.
| OTB Component | Purpose | Maximum Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) | helps with energy and property taxes. | $1,283 to people who aren’t seniors and $1,461 to seniors. |
| The Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) | pays for the Ontario part of the HST | $371 per person. |
| Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) | gives Northern Ontario residents extra help | $185 for a single person and $285 for a family. |
The OEPTC and OSTC parts alone could give a family of four living in Southern Ontario up to $2,767 a year.
Families in Northern Ontario could get up to $3,230 a year if the NOEC is added to the total payment.
If the 10th of the month is a weekend or a holiday, the OTB payment is sent out on the last working day before the 10th.
If your annual OTB payment is $360 or less, you won’t get it in monthly payments. Instead, you’ll get it all at once in July.
Payment for the Canada Child Benefit
The third and last big benefit payment for families in Ontario will be made on Monday, April 20, 2026. This is when the CRA will put the monthly Canada Child Benefit into the accounts of parents and guardians who qualify across the province.
The Canada Child Benefit is still one of the biggest tax-free monthly payments that Canadian families can get. It helps pay for the costs of raising kids under 18.
The April payment is for the benefit year from July 2026 to June 2027, so the amounts are based on your 2024 tax return.
Maximum Canada Child Benefit Amounts for April 2026
| Maximum Annual Amount | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| $7,997 for kids under 6 years old | $666.41 |
| $6,748 for kids between 6 and 17 | $562.33 |
| Child Disability Benefit (extra) $3,411 | $284.25 |
These maximum amounts are for families whose adjusted family net income is $37,487 or less for the base year 2024.
Families that make more than this amount will see their CCB payments slowly go down based on how much money they make and how many kids they have.
When a family’s income goes over $81,222, the benefit amount goes down by another percentage.
Dates for CCB Payments in 2026
| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| April 2026 | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| May 2026 | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 |
| June 2026 | Friday, June 19, 2026 |
| July 2026 | July 20, 2026 |
| August 2026 | Thursday, August 20, 2026 |
| September 2026 | Friday, September 18, 2026 |
| October 2026 | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
| November 2026 | Friday, November 20, 2026 |
| December 2026 | Friday, December 11, 2026 |
Summary of the April 2026 payments for Ontario residents
This is a full list of all three CRA benefit payment dates that will be sent to eligible Ontario residents in April 2026.
| Program | Payment Date | Maximum Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GST/HST Credit | Wednesday, April 2, 2026 | $133.25 single or $174.50 couple |
| Ontario Trillium Benefit | Friday, April 10, 2026 | up to $269 per month |
| Canada Child Benefit | Monday, April 20, 2026 | $666.41 per child under 6 |
Families in Ontario who qualify for all three programs could get more than $1,000 in government benefits in April 2026 alone, depending on how much money they make and how many people are in their family.
How to Make Sure You Always Get All Three Payments on Time
The most important thing you can do to make sure you get all three of these benefits without any problems is to file your income tax return.
You still need to file a return with the CRA even if you didn’t make any money during the tax year.
The quickest and safest way to get all of your government benefits on the exact date they are due is to set up direct deposit with the CRA.
You can sign up for direct deposit online through CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefits line at 1 800 387 1193.
To avoid problems with payments, you need to keep your personal information up to date with the CRA.
If your address, marital status, banking information, or the number of children you care for changes, you must let the CRA know right away.
A list of all the CRA benefit increases that will happen in July 2026
July 2026 will be a big change for people in Ontario and all of Canada who get government benefits.
Three separate increases will happen at the same time, making the biggest increase in benefit payments in a long time.
What Newcomers and Immigrants in Ontario Need to Know
Permanent residents, refugees, and protected persons who are new to Ontario can all get benefits from all three of these programs.
Permanent residents can apply for the Canada Child Benefit as soon as they arrive in Canada. There is no waiting period after their residency status is granted.
Temporary residents who have lived in Canada for at least 18 months in a row and have a valid permit in the 19th month may also be able to get the GST/HST credit.
The most important thing for new Canadians to do is file their first tax return.
Newcomers who haven’t filed their taxes yet should fill out Form RC151 (GST/HST Credit Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada) to start getting the GST/HST credit.
Newcomers to Canada should fill out Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) as soon as they get here to get the Canada Child Benefit.
You can start getting the Ontario Trillium Benefit once you have lived in Ontario and filed your first tax return with Form ON BEN filled out.
