
Your expected support
The child benefit, the groceries and essentials benefit and the province’s programs, and how newcomers apply
What does this page show?
In the first year, newcomers apply for support themselves, before the first tax return. Pick your province, household and income to see an estimate for each benefit from its official formula, when it is paid, which form you need and the official page. Where the page does not give the whole calculation, we say so and put no figure of our own.
An estimate from the official formulas for July 2026 to June 2027, for education only. The final figure is in the CRA’s notice. Not financial or tax advice.
Expected support in Alberta
Type your family income above to estimate the total.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
Federal program (CRA)
For families with children under 18.
- How it is paid
- Monthly. Next published dates: 20 November 2026 and 11 December 2026.
- For newcomers
- Newcomers apply by mail: RC66 with RC66SCH, with proof of birth for the children. The same application also counts for the CGEB and the province’s programs.
Official source: Canada Revenue Agency
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)
Federal program (CRA)
formerly the GST/HST credit. It replaced it in July 2026, with a 25% increase for 5 years (2026 to 2031).
Up to $890 a year for a household like yours. Type your family income above to estimate yours.
- How it is paid
- Every 3 months (January, April, July, October). Next dates: 5 January 2027 and 5 April 2027.
- For newcomers
- A newcomer without children applies with the online RC151 form before the first tax return, once per household.
Official source: Canada Revenue Agency · Official payments chart
Alberta child and family benefit (ACFB)
Alberta program
Type your family income above to estimate yours.
- How it is paid
- Every 3 months (February, May, August, November), separate from the CCB. Next published date: 27 November 2026.
- For newcomers
- No separate application: it is worked out from the CCB application (RC66).
Official source: CRA: provincial programs
To check your own figure, use the CRA’s official child and family benefits calculator.
So how do I apply when I arrive?
- Check that you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes: a home here, or your spouse or children with you. Determining your residency status
- Children? Fill in RC66 with RC66SCH, attach proof of birth for each child (with a translation if it is not in English or French), and mail it to your tax centre. The same application counts for the CGEB and the province’s programs.
- No children? Apply for the CGEB with the online RC151 form, before your first tax return.
- Wait: the CRA processes a paper application within about 11 weeks and an online one within 8. Plan the first two months without it. Your first 90 days in cash
- File your tax return every year by April 30, even with no income. Do not count on the support continuing without it.
The figures are from the CRA and provincial pages for July 2026 to June 2027. Not counted: disability supplements, shared custody and seniors’ programs.
Please note: Your economy is for general information only. It is not financial advice or a religious ruling. Zaayt is not a financial broker or adviser, and every household is different.
