General
Benefit eligibility
Whether you meet the legal and program rules to receive a specific benefit, separate from whether you have applied.
Eligibility can change when income, family status, or health changes; reassessments are common.
Benefits glossary
Canadian benefits glossary
Government benefits, tax, disability and drug-coverage terms explained in plain language.
Definitions are educational. Official program rules still apply.
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9 matching terms
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Benefit overlap
When two programs pay for a similar need or reduce each other when received together.
Receiving one benefit can reduce another, stacking rules are program-specific.
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Benefit payment date
The scheduled day a program deposits your payment. Dates cluster around month-end for many federal benefits.
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Common-law partner (benefits)
A person you have lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months, treated like a spouse for most benefit rules.
Benefits use combined household income, you must report common-law status changes to CRA.
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Dependant
A person who relies on you for basic needs, such as a child or sometimes an adult family member, recognized in tax and benefit rules.
Who counts as a dependant affects credits, benefits, and shared custody calculations.
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Residency requirement
Rules about how long you must live in Canada or a province to qualify for a benefit or tax credit.
Newcomers and people who moved provinces may need to wait or reapply under new rules.
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Settlement worker
A professional who helps newcomers understand services, benefits, and applications in their community.
Settlement workers can help with language barriers and complex multi-step applications.
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Sponsorship bar (benefits)
A period when sponsored immigrants may be ineligible for some income programs because their sponsor committed to support them.
Length and affected programs vary, immigration status affects which benefits you can receive.
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Spouse or partner (benefits)
For most federal benefits, your legally married spouse or common-law partner's income and status are combined with yours.
Separation, divorce, or new relationships can change benefit amounts mid-year.
Related tools and guides
Use these MyEligible tools to explore programs after you understand a term.
Sources and methodology
Definitions explain common government and program language in plain words. They are starting points for understanding, not legal advice or official eligibility decisions. Confirm important details with the official program, CRA, Service Canada, or a qualified professional.
Glossary reviewed September 13, 2026