$1306 Cost of Living Payment in Canada – Check Eligibility Criteria and Payment Date Now

In recent weeks, headlines and social media posts have been buzzing about a $1,306 cost of living payment supposedly hitting Canadians’ bank accounts in October 2025. Thousands of users have shared videos and posts claiming a new lump-sum payout is on the way for everyone.

But here’s the reality: there is no single universal $1,306 payment from the Government of Canada.
Instead, several federal benefit programs are issuing scheduled payments in October — including the GST/HST Credit, Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), Canada Child Benefit (CCB), and regular payments for seniors such as Old Age Security (OAS) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

For some Canadians who qualify for more than one program, their combined payments could total around $1,306 — but the exact amount depends entirely on individual eligibility and income.

This article breaks down what’s actually coming, who qualifies, and how to protect yourself from misinformation and scams circulating online.

What the $1,306 Cost of Living Payment Actually Means

The idea of a $1,306 one-time government payment is partly true and partly misleading.
The figure likely comes from combining several legitimate benefits that happen to fall in the same month — October 2025.

While some provinces and targeted groups (like seniors and persons with disabilities) may receive supplementary cost-of-living relief, there is no nationwide $1,306 cheque being sent to every Canadian.

If you receive multiple benefits — for example, GST/HST, CCB, and OAS — the total amount of your October deposits could add up to roughly $1,306, depending on your income and household size.

Overview: Key Benefits Scheduled for October 2025

Payment Type	Details	Payment Date (October 2025)
GST/HST Credit	Quarterly tax-free payment for low- and middle-income Canadians	October 3, 2025
Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)	Advance payment for working individuals and families with modest incomes	October 10, 2025
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)	Monthly support for families with children under 18	October 20, 2025
Old Age Security (OAS)	Monthly payment for seniors aged 65+ (includes inflation adjustment)	October 29, 2025
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)	Monthly retirement or disability benefit	October 29, 2025
Targeted Senior/Disability Payment	Possible one-time top-up for low-income seniors or CPP Disability recipients	Date TBA (if confirmed)

Each of these payments is separate, governed by its own eligibility criteria, and handled by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or Service Canada.

GST/HST Credit – Helping With Everyday Costs

The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment aimed at helping low- and moderate-income individuals offset sales tax expenses.
If you filed your 2024 taxes and qualify based on your income, you’ll automatically receive the next payment on October 3, 2025.

Typical amounts vary by income and family size, but a single adult may receive around $234, while a family with two children could see up to $500.

You don’t need to apply separately — eligibility is determined automatically from your tax return.

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) – Support for the Working Class

The Canada Workers Benefit provides financial relief for lower-income workers.
Eligible individuals who opted for advance quarterly payments will receive their October installment on October 10, 2025.

This benefit is especially important for part-time and low-wage employees who are feeling the pinch from inflation.
Depending on your income and family situation, you could receive $350 to $600 in October.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) – Support for Families

Families across Canada will receive their monthly CCB payment on October 20, 2025.
The Canada Child Benefit supports parents or guardians raising children under 18 and adjusts based on income.

A family with two young children could receive up to $1,200 monthly, depending on their income level and age of children.
While not new, the CCB remains one of the largest ongoing support programs for families facing rising childcare and food costs.

Payments for Seniors: OAS and CPP

October 2025 is an important month for Canadian seniors, as both the Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments are set for October 29, 2025.

The OAS payment will include an inflation-linked adjustment, ensuring retirees maintain purchasing power amid higher living costs.
Meanwhile, CPP provides monthly retirement or disability support to eligible recipients, with average payments ranging from $600 to $1,300, depending on your contribution history.

Combined, a typical senior could receive between $1,200 and $1,500 from OAS and CPP in late October — which is where much of the “$1,306” speculation originated.

Possible One-Time Cost-of-Living Support for Seniors and Disabled Canadians

While not officially confirmed at the national level, targeted cost-of-living payments for seniors and people on CPP Disability (CPP-D) are under discussion.

If implemented, this would likely be a one-time supplement for vulnerable individuals struggling with inflation.
These payments, if approved, would be automatically issued to those already enrolled in OAS, GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement), or CPP-D.

Recipients wouldn’t need to apply — the funds would appear in their accounts automatically through Service Canada.

Why There’s So Much Confusion About the $1,306 Figure

The rumour of a $1,306 government payout started when multiple benefit dates aligned in October.
Misinformation spread quickly on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, where creators incorrectly claimed a single lump-sum payment was coming to all Canadians.

In reality, what they were describing is a combined total of separate benefits — not a new federal program.

Financial experts warn Canadians to verify any claims of unexpected payments through official government sources, as scam activity often spikes around real benefit dates.

How to Verify Legitimate Government Payments

1. Use Official Government Websites

Always check benefit schedules and program details through Canada.ca or the CRA’s official website.
Any confirmed cost-of-living payments will be publicly announced through government press releases, not social media rumours.

2. Log In to Your CRA MyAccount

Your CRA MyAccount provides real-time updates on upcoming payments, direct deposit details, and eligibility.
If you’re expecting a GST/HST, CCB, or CWB payment, your portal will show exact dates and amounts.

3. Beware of Scams

The CRA and Service Canada will never ask for personal details, passwords, or banking information via text or email.
If you receive a message promising a $1,306 payment in exchange for verification, do not respond — report it through antifraudcentre.ca.

How to Maximise Your Benefit Eligibility

Even though there’s no universal $1,306 payment, Canadians can still increase total support by ensuring they qualify for every available program.

Steps to take:

• File your taxes on time. Most benefits, including GST/HST and CCB, are calculated from your annual return.
• Keep your information updated. Report changes in income, marital status, or number of dependents to the CRA.
• Check if you qualify for provincial top-ups. Some provinces offer additional cost-of-living credits or energy rebates that complement federal programs.

By doing this, many households could indeed receive combined payments close to — or even exceeding — the $1,306 total often mentioned online.

What to Expect This October

If you’re eligible for several benefits, here’s how October might look:

• October 3: GST/HST Credit (approx. $250–$500)
• October 10: Canada Workers Benefit (approx. $350–$600)
• October 20: Canada Child Benefit (up to $1,200 depending on family size)
• October 29: OAS + CPP (approx. $1,200 combined for seniors)

While not everyone will receive all of these, millions of Canadians will see at least one deposit this month — offering real help during a period of rising food, rent, and energy costs.

Why the Government Is Issuing Multiple Benefits in October

The fall period often aligns with quarterly benefit cycles and inflation adjustment updates.
October 2025 is especially active because:

• It marks the new quarter for GST/HST and CWB.
• Seniors’ benefits (OAS/CPP) will reflect updated inflation rates.
• Additional targeted relief programs for vulnerable groups are expected to be finalised before winter.

This clustering of payments explains why social media posts exaggerated the total into one “lump-sum” figure.

FAQs

1. Is there a $1,306 payment coming to everyone in Canada this October?
No. There is no single universal payment of $1,306. That amount reflects the combined total of multiple scheduled benefits for eligible Canadians.

2. What payments are actually happening in October 2025?
The GST/HST credit, Canada Workers Benefit, Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security, and Canada Pension Plan are all being paid in October.

3. Who could receive around $1,306 in total?
Someone eligible for multiple programs (for example, a low-income working parent or senior receiving CPP and OAS) could receive around that combined amount.

4. How can I verify if I qualify?
Check your CRA MyAccount or visit Canada.ca for official eligibility criteria and benefit calculators.

5. Are there scams related to this rumour?
Yes. Fraudsters are using fake messages promising a $1,306 payout. The CRA will never contact you by text or email asking for personal or banking details.