6 government benefit payments you can get from the CRA & Service Canada in May 2025
Plus an extra bonus you might get this month too! 👀
Canadians could get thousands of dollars from these government payments in May 2025.
With May inching closer, a new batch of government payments is set to drop in Canadians' bank accounts courtesy of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Service Canada.
As the countdown to summer gets real, these upcoming government benefits for May 2025 could offer a bit of breathing room. Whether you're trying to juggle rent and bills, cover child care or just stretch your budget a little further, these federal payments are designed to give some financial support when it matters most.
From family-focused tax credits to retirement income and disability support, a handful of key benefits will be rolling out over the course of the month. If you're eligible, you'll want to keep an eye on your bank balance — some payments arrive automatically, while others depend on your tax filings and personal situation.
Here's a full look at the government benefits coming your way in May 2025 — including how much you could receive, who qualifies and when the money is expected to hit your account.
Ontario Trillium Benefit
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a monthly payment that helps lower- and middle-income Ontarians cover basic living costs. It's made up of three different tax credits rolled into one: the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC). Even though it's a provincial program, payments are sent out by the CRA.
To receive the OTB in May 2025, you'll need to have filed your 2023 tax return. If you're eligible and your total entitlement was more than $360, you've likely been getting monthly payments since last July. But if your amount was $360 or less, it probably came as a single lump sum last summer instead.
How much you can get: Your May payment depends on your household income and which credits apply to you. These are the maximum monthly amounts for each part of the benefit:
- OEPTC: Up to $104 if you're aged 18 to 64, or up to $118.41 if you're 65 or older
- NOEC: Up to $15 for individuals or $23.08 for families
- OSTC: Up to $30 for each family member, including yourself, your spouse and any dependants
Next payment date: May 9, 2025
Canada Child Benefit
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment that helps families manage the everyday expenses that come with raising kids. Paid out by the Canada Revenue Agency, it’s aimed at supporting parents and guardians across the country — with additional help for those caring for a child with a disability.
To qualify, you need to live with a child under 18 and be their primary caregiver. You also have to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and either you or your partner must meet certain residency requirements — like being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or someone with protected person status.
How much you can get: The size of your CCB payment depends on a few things, including your household income, how many kids you have and their ages. For families with a 2023 income under $36,502, the maximum monthly amounts for May 2025 are:
- $648.91 for each child under 6
- $547.50 for each child aged 6 to 17
If your income is higher, you can still get a payment — it just gradually decreases as your income increases. And depending on where you live, you might also see additional provincial or territorial credits or disability-related support added to your CCB each month.
Next payment date: May 20, 2025
Alberta Child and Family Benefit
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a quarterly tax-free payment that helps lower- and middle-income families in Alberta manage the costs of raising kids. It's separate from the federal Canada Child Benefit and is funded by the province, although the CRA takes care of the actual payments.
To qualify, you must live in Alberta and have children under 18. The benefit includes a base amount plus a working income component for families who meet certain income thresholds — so the more you earn (up to a limit), the more that second part might apply. Payments are issued four times a year.
How much you can get: Your payment depends on your family income and how many kids you have. For May 2025, the maximum quarterly amounts are:
- $555.25 for your first child
- $355 for your second child
- $286.25 for your third child
- $217.50 for your fourth child
Next payment date: May 27, 2025
Canada Pension Plan
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) gives retired Canadians a monthly income to help replace part of the money they earned while working. It's a reliable long-term benefit meant to provide some financial support in your later years. If you live in Quebec, the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) works similarly, though the details differ slightly.
You can start collecting the CPP as early as age 60, as long as you've made at least one valid contribution during your working life in Canada. If you've gone through a separation or divorce, pension credits may be divided between you and your former partner.
How much you can get: Your monthly CPP amount depends on a few key factors — like when you decide to start collecting, how much you've contributed over the years and your overall earnings. As an example, the maximum monthly payment for someone who began receiving CPP at age 65 in January 2025 was $1,433. But according to the CRA, the average monthly payment is closer to $900.
If you want a better idea of what you'll get, you can check your My Service Canada Account or try out Service Canada's online Retirement Income Calculator.
Next payment date: May 28, 2025
Old Age Security
Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly federal pension payment that provides extra income support for Canadians aged 65 and older. Whether you're retired, still working or never had a traditional job, you might qualify as long as you've lived in Canada long enough.
To be eligible, you need to be 65 or older and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18. If you're living outside the country, the requirement goes up to 20 years. Most people are enrolled automatically, but if you don't hear from Service Canada around your 64th birthday, it's smart to check your status and apply if needed.
Depending on your age, income and relationship status, you could also be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and/or the GIS Allowance programs, which are paid out through the OAS to seniors with a low income. The GIS is a top-up available to OAS recipients, while the Allowance programs offer payments for a spouse or widow aged 60 to 64.
How much you can get: The amount you can receive from the OAS and its associated top-ups depends on your age, income and family situation. The maximum monthly payments for May 2025 are:
- OAS: $727.67 if you're 65 to 74, or $800.44 if you're 75 or older (your monthly amount automatically jumps by 10% the month after you turn 75).
- GIS: $1,086.88 if you're single or your partner doesn't receive benefits from the OAS, or $654.23 if you have a partner who receives the OAS or an Allowance.
- Allowance: $1,381.90 if you have a spouse who receives the OAS and GIS, or $1,647.34 if you are a widow.
OAS and its associated top-ups are reviewed every quarter and adjusted to match inflation — but there was no change for the April to June 2025 period.
Next payment date: May 28, 2025
Veteran Disability Pension
The Veteran Disability Pension provides monthly financial support to veterans living with a service-related disability. It's meant to acknowledge the long-term impact of injuries or illnesses that happened during or because of military service. This benefit is available to Canadian Armed Forces veterans, those who served in the Second World War or Korean War, certain RCMP members and even some civilians who were involved in the war effort during the Second World War.
Unlike the other federal pensions above that come from Service Canada, this one comes directly from Veterans Affairs Canada. To qualify, you'll need to show that you have a diagnosed medical condition that's clearly linked to your time in service. Once approved, the pension is paid for life. Some veterans may also get extra support for their spouse or dependent children, depending on their situation.
How much you can get: Your payment amount depends on how severe your disability is. As of now, the maximum monthly amount for veterans with a full (Class 1) disability rating is $3,444.59. If you have dependants, additional amounts may be added to your total. The exact amount varies based on your personal assessment and family setup.
Next payment date: May 29, 2025
BONUS: Canada Carbon Rebate
The Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) is officially done — but some Canadians are still waiting on their final payment.
The CCR was a tax-free quarterly carbon tax rebate meant to return money collected from the federal fuel charge. The last payment went out on April 22, 2025, marking the end of the program after the federal consumer carbon tax was scrapped as of April 1. Since the tax no longer exists, the rebate tied to it is ending too.
But here's the catch: Only Canadians who filed their 2024 tax return nearly a month early — by April 2 — received their final payment on schedule in April. If you missed that deadline but still qualify, don't panic — your payment is still coming. It'll just arrive later, usually within six to eight weeks after your return is processed. So depending on when you filed, you might see this money land in May.
Only residents of Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, P.E.I. and Saskatchewan were eligible for the CCR. That's because those provinces used the federal pollution pricing system. Other provinces and territories either manage their own systems or handle rebates separately, so they don't get this federal payout.
How much you can get: The final CCR payment was bumped up one last time. Here's how much you'll get in your final payment, depending which province you're in:
- Alberta: $228 for an individual adult, plus $114 for a second adult or first child in a single-parent household, plus $57 for each additional child
- Manitoba: $150 for the first adult + $75 for a second adult/first single-parent child + $37.50 per additional child
- New Brunswick: $165 for the first adult + $82.50 for a second adult/first single-parent child + $41.25 per additional child
- Newfoundland and Labrador: $149 for the first adult + $74.50 for a second adult/first single-parent child + $37.25 per additional child
- Nova Scotia: $110 for the first adult + $55 for a second adult/first single-parent child + $27.50 per additional child
- Ontario: $151 for the first adult + $75.50 for a second adult/first single-parent child + $37.75 per additional child
- P.E.I.: $110 for the first adult + $55 for a second adult/first single-parent child + $27.50 per additional child
- Saskatchewan: $206 for the first adult + $103 for a second adult/first single-parent child + $51.50 per additional child
If you live in a rural or small community, you'll also receive a 20% top-up (except in P.E.I., where that's already built in). For example, a family of four in rural Alberta would get $547.20 in total.
Final payment date: April 22, 2025, OR around six to eight weeks after you file your 2024 tax return
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