Boosting your income
The federal and provincial governments offer benefits, claims, and programs to increase your income if you qualify.
Tax credits and benefits
Benefits calculator
Use the Canada Revenue Agency benefits tool or the Child and family benefit calculator to get an estimate of the benefits and credits you qualify for. Tax credits could possibly make up 50% of your household income.
Canada Child Benefit
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible to families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age.
Child Disability Benefit
The Child Disability Benefit is a tax-free benefit for families who care for a child under the age of 18 who is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit and the Canada Child Benefit.
Canada Workers Benefit
The Canada Workers Benefit is a refundable tax credit to help individuals and families who are working and earning a low income.
Goods And Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Credit
The GST/HST Credit is a tax-free payment that helps low-income individuals and families offset all or part of the GST or HST they pay.
Disability Tax Credit
The Disability Tax Credit reduces the amount of income tax a person with a disability and their supporting family members might pay.
Low-Income Workers Tax Credit
The Low-Income Workers Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit that you can use to reduce or eliminate your Ontario personal income tax.
Ontario Child Care Tax Credit
Ontario Child Care Tax Credit is a tax credit for low- and moderate-income families to claim up to 75% of their eligible child care expenses.
Tuition credits
Students, including international students, should file their T2202 form (official tax receipt) from their eligible post-secondary educational institution to benefit from education deductions and credits when they have taxes to pay. This credit amount can be carried over for some years.
Canada Training Credit
The Canada Training Credit is a refundable tax credit available to help Canadians with the cost of eligible training fees. You can claim the credit for tuition and other fees paid for courses that you took.
Canada Carbon Rebate
The Canada Carbon Rebate is a tax-free amount to help eligible individuals and families offset the cost of the federal pollution pricing. It consists of a basic amount and a supplement for residents of small and rural communities.
Ontario Trillium Benefit
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is the combined payment of the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. The annual OTB payment is usually divided by 12 and the payments are issued on the 10th day of the month.
Tools, events, and programs
Budget planner tool
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's Budget Planner Tool will help you create a customized budget in 3 simple steps. You'll need to provide your income and expenses information to create your budget.
Money Talks financial literacy event
We hosted Money Talks, our first financial literacy event, in partnership with Alterna Credit Union Ltd. Topics covered included the pillars of financial literacy, tax benefits and credits, and budgeting 101. Watch the Money Talks video recording
Child care subsidy
Child care subsidy helps families with low-income pay for the cost of licensed child care for children 12 years or younger. Check your child care subsidy eligibility.
Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is helping make the cost of dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents. Find out if you qualify by visiting reviewing the eligibility requirements.
Ontario Electricity Support Program
Provided by the Ontario Energy Board, the Ontario Electricity Support Program lowers electricity bills for lower-income households. The program also provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and size. This credit is applied directly to eligible customers' bills.
Canada Pension Plan
The Canada Pension Plan retirement pension is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire. If you qualify, you'll receive the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension for the rest of your life.
To qualify you must be at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid contribution to the plan. Canada Pension Plan disability benefits are also available.
Old Age Security
The Old Age Security pension is a monthly payment for those aged 65 or older. In most cases, Service Canada will be able to automatically enroll you for the OAS pension if sufficient information is available and will inform you if you have been automatically enrolled.
If you did not receive any letter about the OAS pension the month after you turn 64, you may need to apply for the OAS pension.
Guaranteed Income Supplement
The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a monthly payment you can get based on income. It’s available to low-income Old Age Security pensioners and is not taxable.
Guaranteed Annual Income System payments
If you're a low-income senior in Ontario, you may qualify for monthly Guaranteed Annual Income System Payments (GAINS). GAINS payments are provided on top of the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments you may receive from the federal government.