Social Assistance 2026 Payment Dates Across Canada

The Canada welfare program can not only help you meet your basic needs, but it can also assist you to obtain and keep a job in order for you to continue meeting and even exceeding, your needs. If you’re unable to work due to disability or other reasons, there are also programs available to help you. It’s important to note that many of these programs also offer employment support services to help you get back on your feet and sustain your success.

Social Assistance and How it Works

If you’re unable to meet your needs (food, shelter, etc) and don’t have a steady source of income, then you may be able to get social assistance. In order to receive it, though, you have to apply for social assistance. The requirements and documents needed do differ based on where you live. Each province and territory offers their own social assistance program. If you live in an Indigenous community, then the social assistance will be managed by Indigenous Services Canada.

Along with social assistance, there are disability assistance programs for those who have temporary, extended and even permanent disabilities. The application process for these programs is similar to that of social assistance programs.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in British Columbia

If you’re in need of social assistance in BC, it’s very easy to apply. You just apply online using the My Self Serve portal on the government of BC website. You can also apply on the phone or in person ask your local social assistance office. No matter how you choose to apply, you will be asked to provide:

• ID (for you and your family)
• Your SIN number
• The amount owing on your vehicle
• Your bank balance
• Monthly payment amounts for rent and utilities
• Your EI and WCB status
• Any information regarding warrants
• If you were sponsored into Canada

Once you have provided that information then you just need to wait for a decision to be made. If you’re approved, these are the amounts that eligible individuals could receive.

• $1,060 per month for a single person
• $1,650 per month for a couple (both on assistance)
• $1,405 for a single person with 1 child
• $1,845 per month for a couple with 1 child (both parents on assistance)

The 2026 payments are given in the previous month. Here are the payment dates for social assistance in BC.

If you aren’t eligible for financial support through social assistance in BC, you could be eligible for hardship assistance.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Alberta

The Alberta social assistance program is referred to as an income support program. The easiest way to apply is by doing so online on the Province of Alberta website. The information you will need to complete your Alberta income support application is:

• ID ( for you and your spouse and dependents)
• 2 bank statements for the 60 days prior to completing your application
• Your direct deposit information
• Letter from a doctor if you’re applying for medical reasons

Once the application is complete, it could take up to 2 weeks in order to receive a response. If you’re severely disabled, the AISH (Assured Income for Severely Handicapped) program could be a good program for you. The amounts for each program differ. With AISH you can get up to $1,901 per month for a single person. With income support, you can get up to $959 per month. The payment dates for AISH and income support are the same and are listed below.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Income Support also referred to as SIS, provides a monthly benefit to those who need it. Unlike other provinces, there’s no set amount. The amount of money that you receive monthly is based on your individual financial situation and where in the province you live.

The potential amounts that you could receive are:

• Basic benefit
• Shelter allowance
• Employment incentives
• Health benefits
• Safety benefits
• Change in circumstance benefits

When applying for the SIS, you can do so online or over the phone. What you need in order to apply is:

• Your SIN number
• Your spouse’s information
• Proof of income and monthly income amounts
• An active bank account
• Proof of residence
• Information on any investments you have
• Items you own (properties and vehicles)
• Info on benefits and pensions that you receive

Once you have the application complete, you have 30 days to provide the above information. If you have a disability, then the program you should apply for is SAID (Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability). Another program that’s available for those who are working is the SES Saskatchewan Employment Supplement. These are all part of the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP). The 2026 payment dates have not yet been released.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Manitoba

If you’re looking for Manitoba social assistance, the process is a bit different than in other provinces. Applications need to be submitted in person, and an intake appointment is required. There are 3 different categories for their Employment and Income Assistance program:

• EIA for Single Parents
• EIA for Persons with Disabilities
• EIA for General Assistance

The exact amount of money that you receive is based on your individual needs. This includes how many people are in your household and if there are costs contributing to your ongoing health needs.

 

The income and employment assistance payment dates are:

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Ontario

In Ontario, you can get ODSP ( Ontario Disability Support Program) or Social Assistance (Ontario Works), depending on whether or not you have a disability. Both of these programs are meant to help those who need funds in order to meet their basic needs. For either, you can apply online or in person. You will need to provide:

• SIN numbers
• Birth certificates
• Immigration papers
• Tax returns
• Banking information
• OHIP cards

The amount you could receive varies depending on whether you’re a single person or a couple and how many kids you have. That said, the general amount on Ontario Works is $733 per month, and ODSP is $1,408 per month. The amount will then be adjusted based on your individual circumstances.

Here are the payment dates.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Nova Scotia

Getting income assistance in Nova Scotia is actually pretty easy. You just apply over the phone or in person. You will need to provide your SIN number, bank account statements and any other documentation that helps your case worker understand your situation. Once you have applied you will also be required to show:

• Tax assessment forms
• Photo ID
• Bills that show housing costs
• Rental agreement

Once you have provided all of the necessary information, it will be 3 to 7 business days before you find out if you’re eligible and for how much. Like most other provinces, you will receive payments via cheque or direct deposit on your monthly payment dates. The 2026 dates have not been released yet. 

While there are a few different amounts that you could receive, the standard household rates are:

• $726 for a single person who rents/owns , $644 if you board
• $1,018 for a person with one dependant who rents/ owns, $664 if you board
• $1,072 for a person with 2 dependants who rents/owns, $707 for boarding
• $1,419 for 2 people who rents/owns, $1,067 for boarding
• $1,473 for 2 people with one dependant who rents/owns, $1,110 for boarding

Social Assistance Payment Dates in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has a few different programs for those who have difficulty making ends meet. The Social Assistance Program is the basic one. If you apply and meet the eligibility criteria then you could receive money monthly to help make basic living costs. They then have additional benefits to help with prescriptions, transportation and other costs. There is even a separate program for those with disabilities.

When you apply you should provide:

• Your mailing and residential addresses
• Rent/ mortgage costs
• Personal information for everyone in the household
• SIN number
• Medicare number
• Income
• Assets

How much you receive will depend on which category you fall in:

• Transitional Assistance Programs- This is the most common and for those who need help finding work or are temporarily unable to work due to medical reasons.
• Transitional Assistance Single Employable – While there are some stipulations to this program, transitional employment allowance is mainly for those 55 and older, who will be unable to work for 6 plus months due to medical issues or single adults who still live at home. It also covers those who are at least 7 months pregnant.
• Extended Benefits Program – This program is for those who are certified by the medical board as blind, deaf, or disabled.

With these welfare benefits in Nova Scotia, you can receive your first payment within 2 days of approval. All payments are made on the first day of every month, making it simple to track your payments.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Quebec

Quebec has two different programs: Social Assistance and Social Solidarity. Simply put, the Social Assistance program is for those who don’t have severely limited capacity for employment. The Social Solidarity program is for those who do. Applying is as simple as downloading the forms online and then mailing them, or delivering them in person to the Services Quebec office.

The exact amount you receive will depend on which program you’re approved for, if you’re temporarily at limited capacity for employment, a spouse of a student, receiving addiction treatment, or in one of the many other scenarios that will affect the amount you receive. That said, the basic amount for Social Assistance is $784 per month, and the basic amount for the Social Solidarity Program is $1,191. The payment dates for each are as follows:

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Prince Edward Island

When it comes to getting social assistance in PEI, the application process starts by calling the social assistance screening line and booking an intake appointment. At this appointment, you will be asked to show:

• ID
• Citizenship if you weren’t born in Canada
• Bank statements
• Direct deposit information
• Proof of expenses
• Utility bills
• Record of employment
• Pay stubs
• PEI resident confirmation
• Business financial records if you’re self-employed

There may be other documentation that you will be required to show as well. The amount that you get approved for monthly with social assistance will depend on the size of your household and your current income. That said, if you’re approved, then you’re also automatically approved for the Provincial Dental Care Program and the Financial Assistance Drug Program.

The dates that you will receive your social assistance payments are as follows.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Yukon

Yukon social assistance is offered to its residents that can’t afford to meet their basic needs such as food, shelter, utilities and clothing. Like many other provinces and territories, you do need to book an intake appointment with a social worker before you can complete your application. Where exactly you book your intake appointment depends on if you live in Whitehorse or outside of Whitehorse.

The exact amounts that you receive for basic living allowance in the Yukon are dependent on your current financial situation as well as how many people are in your household. That said, if you’re approved for financial assistance you could also receive their $250 supplementary allowance on top of your regular payments. The dates that you receive your social assistance payments is based on when you apply

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Newfoundland and Labrador

With Newfoundland and Labrador social assistance, there are two sets of benefits you could be eligible for. The first is the basic benefits that include the Family and Individual Benefit and the Shelter Benefit. Depending on your financial situation, you may also be approved for the second benefit, Non-basic Benefit which includes:

• Property tax credit
• Eye exams
• Prescription glasses
• Private childcare
• Expenses for burials

In order to apply for these benefits you can do so over the phone or in person.

How much you will receive depends on your situation but here are some of the basic benefit amounts:

Living with Relatives

• Single adult – $339
• Couple without dependant children – $674
• Single parent with dependants – $559
• Couple with dependants – $779

Maintaining a House/Living with non-Relatives

• Single adult $561
• Couple without dependants – $794
• Single adult with dependants $729
• Couple with dependants – $779

Other benefit amounts include:

• Rent/ Mortgage up to $522
• Fuel supplement (island) – $71
• Fuel supplement (labrador) – $132
• Cost of living allowance (coastal labrador only) – $150

The payment dates for social assistance are the 1st and 16th of every month via cheque or direct deposit.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Nunavut

The Nunavut income assistance program is meant as a last resort for those who need help making ends meet. In order to apply, you need to set up a meeting with your community Income Assistance Worker. If you’re approved for this program, you could receive a basic allowance ranging from $682 to $782 for a single person.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories income assistance program is different from a lot of the other programs. This is because it’s a month-to-month program. All applications and documents must be received within a given month in order to be eligible. How much you’re approved for depends on your individual circumstances. Applications can be submitted to your local ECE service center.

Overview

If you’re having trouble meeting your basic needs, then a local social assistance program may be the option for you. If it isn’t, though, there are plenty of other ways to receive some extra money. In Ontario, you can get some federal benefits from programs such as the Ontario Sales Tax Credit and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit.

There’s also the senior home heating subsidies and if you’re a student, you can get student financial assistance through government student loans. Don’t worry too much if you can’t get approved for social assistance, but make sure you do your research in order to see what benefits and grants are available to you.