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.
Topics and A–ZB
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Benefit entitlement letter
Official correspondence confirming you are approved for a benefit and showing payment amount or start date.
General
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.
General
Benefit payment date
The scheduled day a program deposits your payment. Dates cluster around month-end for many federal benefits.
Tax credits
Benefit year
The 12-month period many federal benefits use, often running from July to June, based on prior-year tax information.
Payments starting in July reflect income from the tax year two years earlier in many cases.
Tax credits
Benefit year vs tax year
Your tax year is the calendar year on your return; many benefits use a July to June benefit year based on an earlier tax year.
Income changes today may not affect CCB until the next benefit 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