Canadians can expect some serious cash from the provincial or federal government in April 2025.
Inflation rose for the first time in six months in February, from 1.9 per cent to 2.6 per cent. This was also the highest spike in eight months.
Housing costs are high, and food continues to get more expensive. With the U.S. and China both slapping high tariffs on Canada, economic uncertainty is high.
Canadians should take advantage of any benefits program for which they are eligible. Luckily, there are many opportunities to get money from the government next month. Make sure your direct deposit is enabled as you look forward to the following:
GST/HST credit — April 4
The second quarterly instalment of the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credit will be paid out to Canadians on April 4. It aims to help families with low and modest incomes offset the taxes they pay.
According to the government, you could get up to:
- $519 if you are single
- $680 if you are married or have a common-law partner
- $179 for each child under the age of 19
You’re generally eligible if you’re at least 19 years old and a Canadian resident for income tax purposes a month before the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) makes the payment and at the beginning of the month.
If you’re under 19 years old, you must meet at least one of the following conditions during the same period:
- You have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner
- You are (or were) a parent and live (or lived) with your child
If your income equals or exceeds the amounts below, you or your family won’t be eligible for the credit.
Government of Canada
You don’t need to apply for the credit because you’re automatically considered for it when you file your taxes.
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) — April 10
The OTB is the combined tax-free payment of the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. It will go out on April 10.
You should be eligible for at least one of the three credits to receive money.
For the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, you could get a maximum of $1,248 if you are between 18 and 64 years old, $1,421 if you are 65 or older, $277 if you live on a reserve or in a public long-term care home; and $25 for the time you lived in a designated college, university, or private school residence in 2023, according to the province’s website.
The Northern Ontario Energy Credit allows singles to receive a maximum of $180 and families to receive a maximum of $277.
Finally, in the case of the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, you can receive up to $360 and may receive an additional credit of up to $360 for your spouse or common-law partner and each dependent child who is under 19 years of age on the 1st of the payment month. The credit doesn’t impact your GST/HST credit payments.
Learn more about OTB eligibility.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB) — April 17
Eligible families in Canada can anticipate their monthly Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment on the 20th of each month unless it’s a weekend or a statutory holiday.
In April, parents will get CCB deposits three days early on April 17 because Good Friday is on the 18.
Child tax payments increased by 4.7 per cent in the summer 2024.
The maximum benefit for kids under six increased by $350, from $7,437 to $7,787. For children aged six to 17, it increased by $295, from $6,275 to $6,570.
A federal child tax booster will follow when the new benefit year begins in July 2025. Rules for the CCB program changed in January as well to benefit parents better.
Check out the rest of 2025’s child benefit payment dates.
B.C. Family Benefit and bonus — April 17
B.C. families will also receive the provincial Family Benefit on April 17, with an additional bonus.
A 25 per cent bonus on this benefit took effect in July 2024 and will apply until the next benefit year begins.
The money from the provincial government is paid monthly to about 340,000 families with children in the province via direct deposit or mailed cheques.
Eligible residents may receive a total annual amount of $2,188 for their first child, $1,375 for their second child, and $1,125 for each additional child until June 2025.
Payments will arrive alongside the CCB, which drops on April 17.
Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) — April 22
The CCR, formerly called the Climate Action Incentive Payment, is paid to certain Canadians twice a year. The tax-free amount helps eligible individuals and families offset the cost of federal pollution pricing.
On April 22, eligible Canadians will get the second and final payment of not just the year but the program entirely.
Earlier in March, Prime Minister Mark Carney scrapped the consumer carbon tax as his first move as Liberal Party leader. He announced that the fuel charge would be removed as of April 1 but that the CCR would still be issued.
Per a recent government notice, individuals must file their 2024 income tax and benefit return electronically no later than April 2 to receive the payment on April 22.
If you file your taxes after April 2, you’ll still receive the CCR payment but must wait until your return is assessed.
Canadians in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario can receive the CCR.
Canadians who are single with no children may receive the following amounts of money from the government in April under the CCR program:
- $225 in Alberta
- $150 in Manitoba
- $140 in Ontario
- $188 in Saskatchewan
- $95 in New Brunswick
- $103 in Nova Scotia
- $110 in Prince Edward Island
- $149 in Newfoundland and Labrador
To be eligible, residents in those provinces must be at least 19 years old in the month before the CRA makes a payment.
If you are under 19 years old, the government says you must meet at least one of the following conditions to be eligible:
- You have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner
- You are (or were) a parent and live (or lived) with your child
If you have kids and they’re already registered for the CCB or the GST credit, a credit for each eligible child will be included in the calculation of the CCR. Your child is eligible if all of the following conditions are met at the beginning of the payment month:
- Your child is under 19 years of age
- Your child lives with you
- You are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of your child
- Your child is registered for the CCR (or already registered for the CCB or GST/HST credit)
If you live in a province or territory with its own pollution pricing system — like Yukon, Quebec, Northwest Territories, and B.C. — you do not qualify for this money from the government.
The carbon rebate also includes a 20 per cent supplement for residents in small and rural communities.
