Social Assistance Payment Dates In Canada

What is Social Assistance in Canada? 

Social assistance programs in Canada offer financial assistance or income support to eligible Canadian individuals and families who do not have enough resources to provide their basic needs or meet the cost of living essentials. 

The welfare programs also offer employment support to eligible individuals to enable them to get employed and also retain jobs. 

There are also provisions made to cater to people with disabilities by providing them with income support and employment assistance to better their lives.

Each province and territory have social assistance programs tailored to residents of the province or territory. There are also guidelines as well as laws and legislation that govern how these programs are executed in each province or territory. 

Social Assistance Programs in Alberta 

The provincial government of Alberta offers financial assistance to Albertan individuals and families through its Income Support program. Alberta's Income Support program is aimed at enabling individuals and families to pay for and afford basic living expenses and other essentials.

Alberta also has the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program that provides financial aid and other health benefits to eligible Albertan individuals living with a severe and permanent disability or medical condition that prevents them from earning a living and providing for themselves. 

There is also the Alberta Seniors Benefit that caters to seniors or older Alberta residents. 

Social Assistance in Alberta: Payment Dates 2023

The monthly AISH and Income Support payments are made on the first day of the benefit month except on weekends and holidays. 

If you're eligible for the Alberta Income Support or the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), you'll receive your payments on the following dates:

• January: December 22, 2022
• February: February 1, 2023
• March: March 1, 2023
• April: March 31, 2023
• May: May 1, 2023
• June: June 1, 2023
• July: June 30, 2023
• August: August 1, 2023
• September: September 1, 2023
• October: September 29, 2023
• November: November 1, 2023
• December: December 1, 2023

Social Assistance in Alberta: Payment Amount

The amount you receive for the Alberta Income Support is dependent on your needs, family size as well as work eligibility. 

Based on your eligibility for Alberta Income Support, you may receive up to $866 per month if you are single. 

If you are eligible for the AISH, you may receive up to $1,685 every month as a basic living allowance. 

How To Apply for Social Assistance in Alberta

You can apply for Alberta's social assistance programs online or by contacting your local Social Assistance office. 

Social Assistance Programs In British Columbia 

The British Columbia provincial government instituted a Disability Assistance program that offers financial aid and health benefits to individuals living with a disability. To be eligible to receive these benefits you must be a Person with Disabilities (PWD). 

British Columbia also has an income assistance program that offers financial assistance to British Columbians who are in need and lack the means of providing for themselves and their families. The income assistance program also enables unemployed individuals to transition to a job and retain the job. 

2023 Payment Dates For Social Assistance In British Columbia

If you are eligible for British Columbia disability assistance or income assistance, you will receive your payments on the following dates:

Benefit Month	Payment date
January 2023	December 21, 2022
February	January 18, 2023
March	February 15, 2023
April	March 22, 2023
May	April 19, 2023
June	May 17, 2023
July	June 21, 2023
August	July 19, 2023
September	August 23, 2023
October	September 20, 2023
November	October 25, 2023
December	November 22, 2023
January 2024	December 20, 2023

Social Assistance in British Columbia: How Much Can You Get?

Based on your circumstances and the size of your family unit, you can get up to $935 per month on income assistance if you are single. 

If you are on disability assistance, you can receive up to $1,358.50 if you are single. 

How To Apply for British Columbian Social Assistance Programs

You can apply for disability assistance by completing the Persons with Disability Designation Application or by contacting your local social assistance office. 

You can also apply for income assistance online or by contacting your local office. 

Social Assistance Programs in Manitoba 

The social assistance program in Manitoba is the Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) and is divided into three categories:

• EIA for general assistance.
• EIA for persons with disabilities.
• EIA for single parents.

The EIA provides financial assistance to cover the costs of living essentials as well as other health supports and also helps individuals find and keep jobs. 

Payment Dates for Social Assistance Programs In Manitoba In 2023

If you are eligible for the Manitoba EIA, you will receive your direct deposit payments on the following dates:

Benefit Month	EIA Payment Dates
January	December 29, 2021
February	January 27, 2023
March	February 24, 2023
April	March 29, 2023
May	April 28, 2023
June	May 29, 2023
July	June 28, 2023
August	July 28, 2023
September	August 29, 2023
October	September 28, 2023
November	October 27, 2023
December	November 27, 2023

Social Assistance in Manitoba: How Much Can You Get? 

Depending on your circumstances and the federal benefits you receive, you could get the following monthly payments if you are a single adult. You could receive up to:

• $796 per month for the EIA General Assistance.
• $1,093 per month for the EIA for Persons with Disabilities.  
• $948 per month for the EIA for Single Parents. 

How To Apply for Social Assistance in Manitoba 

You can apply for the Manitoba EIA online by contacting your local EIA office or by calling 204-948-4000 if you are in Winnipeg, or 1-855-944-8111 (toll-free). 

Social Assistance Programs in New Brunswick 

The province of New Brunswick provides a Social Assistance program that offers financial assistance to residents of New Brunswick who find it hard to provide for their basic needs and meet the costs of living essentials. 

The Social Assistance program also provides benefits for people living with one form of disability or another. 

2023 Payment Dates for Social Assistance in New Brunswick

If you choose to receive your payments via direct deposit, you will receive your payments on the first day of the benefit month. 

However, if the payment date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the payment will be made on the last business day of the previous month. 

Social Assistance in New Brunswick: How Much Can You Get?

If you are eligible for the Transitional Assistance Program, you can receive up to $564 per month if you are single.

Eligible individuals who have lasting disabilities may receive up to $697 per month, under the Extended Benefits program, if you are single. 

How to Apply for Social Assistance in New Brunswick  

You can apply for Social Assistance in New Brunswick online or by contacting your local welfare office.

Social Assistance Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador provides Income Support to eligible residents by providing financial aid and other benefits to low-income earning individuals to help them meet the costs of daily living essentials. 

The Income Support Program offers both basic and non-basic financial support and is governed by The Income and Employment Support Act. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Social Assistance: Payment Dates 2023 

Generally, the Newfoundland social assistance benefit payments are made by direct deposit twice every month, depending on your circumstances. You may also receive your payments by cheque via mail. 

Social Assistance in Newfoundland and Labrador: How Much Can You Receive? 

If you're single, you can receive up to $534 for the basic income support benefit and up to $372 for shelter benefits as well as other additional benefits for fuel and other allowances. 

How To Apply for Social Assistance in Newfoundland and Labrador

You can apply for the Newfoundland, Labrador Social Assistance Program online or by contacting your local Social Assistance Office at 

• 1-877-729-7888 if you are in the Avalon region.
• 1-888-632-4555 if you are in the Central region.
• 1-866-417-4753 if you are in the Western region.
• 1-866-449-3144, if you are in Labrador.

You can also contact them at the TTY number 1-877-292-4205 for any region.

Social Assistance Program in the Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories provincial government provides income support to eligible residents to enable them to meet the costs of essentials. 

The program also offers assistance for shelter and utilities and also provides allowances for eligible seniors and individuals living with disabilities.

Social Assistance Programs in Nova Scotia 

Nova Scotia has an Income Assistance (IA) program which provides financial assistance to eligible residents of Nova Scotia who cannot support themselves and their families financially. 

The program enables individuals to meet the costs of their basic needs as well as other special needs. 

The program also has an Employment Support Service (ESS) which can be available to you when you become eligible for the Income Assistance (IA) program. The ESS will help you explore various employment options as well as get a job. 

Nova Scotia also has a Disability Support Program (DSP) that caters to disabled individuals. 

Social Assistance in Nova Scotia: Payment Dates 2023

If you are eligible for the Nova Scotia social assistance programs, you will receive your benefit payments by cheque or direct deposits on the following dates:

• July 27, 28, 29, 2023
• August 29, 30, 31, 2023
• September 27, 28, 29, 2023
• October 27, 28, 31, 2023
• November 28, 29, 30, 2023

Social Assistance in Nova Scotia: How Much Can You Get?

If you are eligible for the social assistance programs in Nova Scotia, you may get up to $686 per month if you are single.

If you're qualified for the Disability Support Program, you may get up to $850 per month if you are single. 

How To Apply for Social Assistance in Nova Scotia

You can apply through your local social assistance office, or by calling 1-877-424-1177.

Social Assistance Programs in Nunavut

The provincial government of Nunavut offers an income assistance program aimed at enabling eligible Nunavut individuals and families who, for reasons of disability, illness, or unemployment, could not cater for their basic needs or meet the costs of various living essentials including their personal needs. 

The program is intended as a last resort meaning that you must have applied for other benefits before applying for the income assistance program. 

To continue receiving these benefits, you need to file your income tax returns every year. 

Social Assistance in Nunavut: Payment Amount 

Based on location, eligible individuals can receive a basic allowance ranging from $682 per month to $782 per month. 

How To Apply for Social Assistance in Nunavut

You can apply by contacting your Income Assistance Worker to set up an appointment or by contacting your local social assistance office. 

Social Assistance Programs in Ontario 

The social assistance programs in Ontario are offered through the Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). 

The Ontario Works program provides financial assistance and employment support to eligible Ontario residents. 

The ODSP provides income support as well as other health benefits to eligible Ontario residents living with disabilities. 

Social Assistance Programs in Ontario: Payment Dates

If you are eligible for Ontario Works, you will receive your payments on the following dates:

Benefit month	Payment date
January 2023	December 30, 2022
February 2023	January 31, 2023
March 2023	February 28, 2023
April 2023	March 31, 2023
May 2023	April 28, 2023
June 2023	May 31, 2023
July 2023	June 30, 2023
August 2023	July 31, 2023
September 2023	August 31, 2023
October 2023	September 29, 2023
November 2023	October 31, 2023
December 2023	November 30, 2023

If you are eligible for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), you will receive your payments on the following dates:

• January 31, 2023
• February 28, 2023
• March 31, 2023
• April 28, 2023
• May 31, 2023
• June 30, 2023
• July 31, 2023
• August 31, 2023
• September 29, 2023
• October 31, 2023
• November 30, 2023
• December 2023 is not yet announced

Social Assistance in Ontario: How Much Can You Receive? 

The amount you may be eligible to receive each month is affected by your income and family size. 

If you are eligible for the Ontario Works, you may receive up to $733 for your shelter and basic needs allowance if you are single. 

If you are on ODSP, you may receive up to $1,169 for basic needs and shelter if you are single.

How To Apply For Social Assistance In Ontario

You can apply for both Ontario Works and ODSP online or by contacting your local Social Assistance Office. 

Social Assistance Programs On Prince Edward Island 

The Social Assistance program in Prince Edward Island enables eligible residents who do not have the resources to cater to their basic needs to do so. 

The amount you receive helps you cover the costs of food, shelter, and other living essentials as well as health costs. 

The amount of money you get is dependent on your income, the number of children you have, and if you're renting your home or not.

Social Assistance In Prince Edward Island: Payment Dates 

If you are eligible for the social assistance program, you will receive your payments on the following dates:

• June 30, 2023
• July 29, 2023
• August 31, 2023
• September 30, 2023
• October 31, 2023
• November 30, 2023

Prince Edward Island's Social Assistance Program: How To Apply

You can apply by contacting the Social Assistance Program at 1-877-569-0546 (toll-free) or by visiting the nearest welfare office in your province. 

Social Assistance Program In Quebec 

The provincial government of Quebec provides the following social assistance programs:

• The Social Assistance Program 
• The Social Solidarity Program 
• The Aim for Employment Program. 

All these programs provide financial aid to eligible low-income earning Quebec residents. 

The Social Assistance Program provides financial aid for unemployed individuals and then provides the means to reinstitute these individuals into the workforce. 

The Social Solidarity Program provides financial assistance to individuals or family members whose ability to work or be employed is severely impaired by a disability or chronic illness. 

The Aim for Employment Program provides individuals with income support tailored to their needs for them to be employed and eventually become financially stable. 

Payment Dates For Social Assistance In Quebec

If you are eligible for either the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program, you will receive your monthly payments on the following dates in 2023:

• August 1, 2023
• September 1, 2023
• September 29, 2023
• November 1, 2023
• December 1, 2023
• December 29, 2023

Social Assistance Programs in Quebec: How Much Can You Receive?

Depending on your eligibility for the Social Assistance Program, you may receive: 

• $720 per month if you are single and have no limited capacity for employment. 
• $870 per month if you are single and have a temporarily limited capacity for employment.

If you are eligible for the Social Solidarity Program, you may receive up to $1,138 per month together with other benefit amounts based on your situation. 

How To Apply for Social Assistance in Quebec

You can apply or check your eligibility status online or call the welfare office at 514-873-4000 if you're in Montreal, or 1-877-767-8773 (toll-free).

Social Assistance Programs in Saskatchewan 

The social assistance programs in Saskatchewan include: 

• The Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS), is a combination of the now phased-out TEA and SAP.
• The Saskatchewan Employment Support (SES).
• The Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID).

2023 Payment Dates for Social Assistance Programs in Saskatchewan 

If you are eligible for either the SIS or the SAID benefits, you will receive your payments on any of the same dates as follows:

Benefit Month	SAID Cheque Mailing Dates	SAID Direct Deposit Payment Dates
January	December 22, 2022	December 28, 2022
February	January 25 , 2023	January 30, 2023
March	February 22, 2023	February 27, 2023
April	March 27, 2023	March 30, 2023
May	April 24, 2023	April 27, 2023
June	May 25, 2023	May 30, 2023
July	June 26, 2023	June 29, 2023
August	July 25, 2023	July 28, 2023
September	August 25, 2023	August 30, 2023
October	September 25, 2023	September 28, 2023
November	October 26, 2023	October 30, 2023
December	November 27, 2023	November 29, 2023

Social Assistance in Saskatchewan: How Much Will You Receive?

If you are eligible for the SIS, you may receive up to $860 monthly in shelter and basic needs allowance if you are single. 

If you are eligible for the SAID benefit, the amount you may receive ranges from $931 to $1,064, depending on your location if you are single. 

How To Apply for Social Assistance in Saskatchewan 

You can apply online or by contacting your local welfare office. You can also call 1-866-221-5200 to find out more information about the program. 

Social Assistance Programs in Yukon

Yukon provides a social assistance program that offers financial assistance to eligible individuals who do not have enough resources to provide for their basic needs. 

The social assistance program is intended as a last resort and covers the cost of essentials. The program is regulated by the Social Assistance Act. 

Payment Amounts for Social Assistance in Yukon 

If you are eligible for the Yukon social assistance program, you may receive up to $250 monthly for the Yukon Supplementary Service. 

How To Apply for Social Assistance in Yukon

You can apply by calling 867-393-5674 or by visiting the nearest local social assistance office.

In Summary

Social assistance programs in Canadian provinces allow the provincial governments to cater to low-income earners and disabled individuals in each province or territory. Each province or territory has its peculiar social assistance program as well as payment dates and amounts. 

To apply for any social assistance program in your province or territory, you should visit your local social assistance office to gain more information on the available programs.

Social Assistance Payment Dates in Canada FAQs

How long can you stay on welfare in BC?

You can stay on welfare in British Columbia for two years if you are single and employable. Once you reach the two-year mark, you will be cut off from the social assistance program. 

Can you get a loan on welfare? 

Yes, you can get a loan while on a welfare program depending on whether the lender considers welfare payments as a viable source of income. You can also apply for a loan if the amount of your benefits is up to $1,500. 

Are welfare payments considered a source of income? 

Yes, welfare payments can be considered a source of income if it is your sole source of cash. However, you will not need to include them on your income tax return. 

Is welfare money taxed?

No, welfare money is not taxed if the welfare amount is paid to low-income or disabled individuals. However, there are some welfare programs, especially those that offer employment support, that may offer taxable welfare payments.