Canadian Public Benefits & Healthcare: EI, CCB, and Provincial Health
Canada's social safety net is delivered through federal statutory programs and provincial healthcare ministries.
Navigating public benefits in Canada involves applying through Service Canada and provincial social development ministries. Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary income support to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own or take leave for parental, medical, or caregiving purposes. Healthcare is funded publicly through provincial health insurance plans (such as OHIP in Ontario, MSP in British Columbia, or AHCIP in Alberta). Our guides walk you through claiming EI benefits, registering for provincial health cards, applying for the Canada Child Benefit, and qualifying for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
All Benefits & Health Guides (CAN)
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Provinces run Canada's health coverage, not the federal government. Apply as soon as you arrive, or as soon as you move. Waiting periods differ. Ontario no longer has one for newcomers. Your coverage starts on your landing day. BC makes you wait the rest of your arrival month, plus two more months. You need documents that prove where you live and your status. Then your health card arrives by mail.
6 steps · Same-day application; coverage after waiting period · Free in most provinces (BC scrapped MSP premiums in 2020)2025-Latest
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment. It goes to families with children under 18. The maximum is $8,157 per child per year for a child under 6. For ages 6–17, it is $6,883. These amounts are for the July 2026–June 2027 benefit year. The payment goes down as family income goes up. Temporary-resident newcomers apply with Form RC66, plus the RC66SCH supplement, after 18 months of residency with a valid permit in the 19th month. Permanent residents and protected persons can apply on arrival (also with Form RC66 + RC66SCH). Everyone else applies through CRA My Account.
6 steps · 20 min application; first payment within 8 weeks · Free2026-Latest
Employment Insurance (EI) is Canada's unemployment insurance. It pays 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to a yearly maximum. It pays when you lose a job through no fault of your own. You need 420–700 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks. The exact number depends on your region's unemployment rate. Your employer issues a Record of Employment. You apply online through My Service Canada Account. Apply right away. A delay can cost you weeks of benefits.
6 steps · 28 days for first payment typical · Free2026-Latest
CPP is the pension based on earnings. You paid into it through work. OAS is the pension based on residency, for seniors 65+. CPP can start at 60, with a reduced amount. Or you can wait until 70, for an increased amount. OAS is often automatic, but not always. Apply through My Service Canada Account, up to a year before you want payments to begin.
6 steps · Apply up to 12 months ahead · Free2026-Latest
EI maternity benefits give the birth parent 15 weeks at 55% of earnings. Parental benefits then give either parent 35 weeks at 55% (standard), or 61 weeks at 33% (extended). Shared between both parents, the totals are 40 weeks (standard) or 69 weeks (extended), including 5 standard / 8 extended weeks available only when shared. You need 600 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks. Apply through My Service Canada Account as soon as you stop working. Decide standard or extended before the first payment. The choice is locked in.
6 steps · Up to 18 months combined · Free2026-Latest
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is a tax-free quarterly payment. It is for low-income and modest-income Canadians. There is no application. Filing your tax return is the application. The CRA works out your eligibility automatically each July, from your return. Newcomers file their first return to trigger it, even with little income. The CGEB replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026. Eligibility and structure are the same. Amounts are 25% higher through 2031.
5 steps · Automatic after filing · Free2026-Latest
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and essential rules for benefits & health in Canada.
How many hours do you need to qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits?
You typically need between 420 and 700 hours of insurable employment during your qualifying period (usually the preceding 52 weeks), depending on the unemployment rate in your economic region.
How do I get a provincial health card when moving to Canada?
Apply through your province's healthcare agency (e.g., ServiceOntario, MSPMedical Services Plan — British Columbia's provincial health insurance plan.Click for official info ↗ BC, Alberta Health). You must submit proof of Canadian citizenship or eligible immigration status, proof of provincial residency, and personal identification.
What is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and who is eligible?
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment from the CRA to help eligible families cover the costs of raising children under age 18. Both parents must file annual tax returns every year to continue receiving payments.
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