Financial Planning -> Government Benefits - Canada

Canadian federal government benefits, programs and services

Government of Canada

Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs - learn your rights as a consumer, and how to protect yourself.

Business

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) - Through the Extraordinary Financing Framework (EFF), the Federal Government is providing up to $200 billion in existing and new measures to help Canadians and Canadian businesses obtain financing during the current extraordinary period.

Vehicle and Equipment Financing Partnership - Budget 2010 announced the creation of the Vehicle and Equipment Financing Partnership  as part of the BCAP, in order to expand financing options for small and medium-sized finance and leasing companies, increasing the availability of credit at market rates for dealers and users of vehicles and equipment.

ecoENERGY Retrofit Grants and Incentives - Natural Resources Canada energy-efficiency information, and sometimes financial support, to homeowners, small and medium-sized businesses, public institutions and industrial facilities to help them implement energy saving projects that reduce energy-related greenhouse gases and air pollution.  They also provide links to provincial incentive programs.

Accelerated capital cost allowance (CCA) is available for various types of capital projects, including those for clean energy generation.  The CCA rate for computer equipment is 100% for equipment purchased in 2009 and 2010.

Homeowners

Federal Home Buyer's Plan (HBP) - borrow from your RRSPs to help build a home.

First-time Home Buyer's tax credit

GST rebate for new housing purchases and substantial renovations.

ecoENERGY Retrofit Grants and Incentives - The Government of Canada renewed the program until March 31, 2012.  The deadline to obtain a post-retrofit evaluation for work completed by March 31, 2012 is June 30, 2012.

Financial assistance programs from CMHC, including Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) - financial assistance to repair substandard housing.  Assistance also available to rental property owners.

Children and families

Child and family benefits provided by federal and provincial/territorial governments.

Persons with disabilities

Gas tax refund program for the disabled.

Veterans Affairs Disability Pensions Program

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - Topics for persons with disabilities

Service Canada - Persons With Disabilities Online

Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit

See also - links to all information on TaxTips.ca related to persons with disabilities.

Seniors

Elder Abuse - learn the signs and how to get help

Guide to Government of Canada services for seniors

Seniors Canada Online - helps in the search for Seniors related information on the internet.

Seniors 55 and Up - Canada Revenue Agency topics/services for those 55 and over.

Income Security Programs - Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance, Allowance for Survivor, Canada Pension Plan.  See also our Seniors page for articles about these programs.

Canadian Retirement Income Calculator

View and print your CPP Statement of Contributions Online.

Apply online for your CPP retirement pension.

Application form for Old Age Security - can be filled in online, printed and mailed.

Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI) - helps extend the time low-income seniors can live in their homes independently.

Veterans Affairs Canada Services and Benefits - services and benefits for qualified veterans, Canadian Forces members, serving and discharged members of the RCMP, certain civilians, and their families.

Students

Service Canada - Youth and Students

Canada Benefits information for students - choose your province or territory to see financial aid, bursary and scholarship and other information for students.

Apprenticeship Grants are available to eligible apprentices, and can be used to pay for tuition, travel, tools, or other expenses.

Revised: March 08, 2013