The CRA is making it easier for newcomers to Canada to apply for benefit payments

Starting life in a new country can be a lot of work — and applying for government payments should make life easier, not harder.

For newcomers to Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) just rolled out a simpler, faster way to get financial support through benefits and credits.

This change is especially big for anyone navigating immigration in Canada who may have been overwhelmed by the old, paperwork-heavy process. Now, instead of mailing in paper forms and waiting, eligible newcomers can apply online — even before filing their first tax return — making it easier to access financial supports like the GST/HST Credit and the Canada Child Benefit.

Introduced this week, the new digital form RC151 is designed for people who've recently become residents of Canada and want to apply for government benefits. For individuals and couples without any kids, this fresh digital version of the form is available now.

By submitting this form online, you (and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one) will be considered for the GST/HST Credit — a tax-free quarterly payment to help low- and modest-income residents offset the sales taxes they've paid — and its related provincial/territorial benefits.

Applying through this form could also get you considered for the final Canada Carbon Rebate payment, depending on when you arrived in Canada.

If you do have kids, you'll need to use the original paper RC151 — or, if you also meet eligibility requirements for the Canada Child Benefit, you can simply fill out form RC66 instead. That form will let you apply for a bunch of benefits at once, including the CCB and its related provincial/territorial child and family benefits.

These benefit payments — which are paid out monthly or quarterly — are designed to help lower-income families and individuals with everyday expenses. Some depend on your family income, while others are the same for everyone who qualifies.

For example, the GST/HST Credit can give eligible families with two kids up to $1,066 a year. Meanwhile, the CCB could get you up to $7,997 a year for each child in your care.

To keep getting the money you're owed, you'll need to file your taxes every year — even if you didn't make any income. But newcomers don't need to file taxes until the year after they arrive, so you've got a bit of breathing room. (For example, if you arrived in Canada at some point in 2025, you won't need to file your first tax return until April 2026 — but you can apply for some benefits before then.)

According to the CRA, all you need to apply is basic info like your income, immigration status, marital status, date of arrival in Canada, and proof of birth for any children you have.

You can find everything you need to get started on the CRA's newcomers webpage.

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