Canadian benefits glossary

Caregiving

Canada caregiver credit

A non-refundable tax credit for people supporting a spouse, common-law partner, or dependant with a physical or mental impairment.

Eligibility depends on the dependant's impairment and your support relationship.

Children & family

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

A monthly tax-free payment to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18.

CCB amounts depend on AFNI, filing taxes on time keeps payments flowing.

Disability

Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)

A federal monthly payment for working-age people with disabilities who meet income and DTC-related requirements. It is separate from provincial disability assistance.

CDB can add federal income on top of provincial programs, but rules and payment amounts differ from provincial disability benefits.

Children & family

Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

Government money deposited into an RESP for eligible children from low-income families, without requiring family contributions.

Families can receive CLB even if they cannot afford to save, opening an RESP is the first step.

Pensions & seniors

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

A monthly retirement pension based on your contributions while working. You can start as early as 60 or delay to 70 for a higher amount.

Tax credits

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)

A refundable tax credit for low-income workers, with additional amounts for eligible families and people with disabilities.

CWB rewards employment income, amounts change as earnings rise.

Disability

Child disability benefit

A tax-free monthly supplement added to the Canada Child Benefit for families caring for a child eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.

Families must have DTC approval for the child before this supplement can be paid.

Income-tested benefits

Clawback

A reduction in a benefit as your income rises above a threshold. You keep the benefit, but receive less.

Clawbacks explain why benefits shrink as income grows, they are not always sudden cut-offs.

General

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.

Drug coverage

Copayment

Your fixed share of a prescription cost at the pharmacy after the plan pays its portion.

Drug coverage

Cost sharing (drug plans)

The combination of deductibles, copayments, and premiums you pay while the plan pays the rest.

Understanding your share helps budget for chronic medications.

Disability

CPP Disability Benefit (CPP-D)

A monthly payment from the Canada Pension Plan for contributors who cannot work regularly because of a severe and prolonged disability.

CPP-D can be a primary income source after disability, and may affect provincial disability or other benefits.

Pensions & seniors

CPP post-retirement benefit (PRB)

Additional CPP contributions and benefits if you work while already receiving CPP retirement pension before age 70.

Pensions & seniors

CPP survivor benefits

Payments to eligible surviving spouses, common-law partners, and children after a CPP contributor dies.

CRA & Service Canada

CRA My Account

CRA's secure online portal to view tax slips, benefit payments, NOA, and update direct deposit and marital status.

Appeals & applications

CRA reassessment

CRA's review or change to your tax return after initial processing, which can alter benefits based on that return.

A reassessment can trigger benefit repayments or new payments months later.