NWT Cost of Living Offset Payment Dates 2026 (Status: Cancelled)

If you are checking your bank account for the Northwest Territories Cost of Living Offset (COLO) in 2026, there is some significant news you need to know. For years, the COLO provided quarterly checks to help residents manage the sting of the carbon tax. However, following a major territorial policy shift in 2025, the consumer carbon tax was effectively set to zero.

Because the tax was removed at the pump and on heating bills, the offset payment also disappeared. The final NWT COLO payment was issued in April 2025.

While the loss of a quarterly check is frustrating, the 2026 budget has shifted those funds toward massive increases in targeted support, specifically for seniors and families. If you are a senior in the NWT, you can now access a Home Heating Subsidy worth up to $6,000, which far exceeds the old COLO payments.

As part of our Senior Benefits in Canada 2026: The Complete "Top-Up" List, this guide explains the cancellation of the COLO, provides the updated 2026 schedules for the NWT Child Benefit, and reveals the "Street Hacks" to unlock the highest heating subsidies in the country.

1. The Death of the COLO: Why the Checks Stopped

The NWT government made a strategic decision to scrap the consumer portion of the carbon tax to lower prices "at the source."

• The Trade-off: Gas prices at the pump dropped by roughly 17 to 20 cents per litre in 2025, but the quarterly COLO checks (which were around $120–$250 per person) were cancelled to pay for it.
• The Final Date: No COLO payments will be issued in January, April, July, or October 2026.
• The Exception: Large industrial emitters still pay a version of the tax, but for the average resident in Yellowknife or Inuvik, the program is officially closed.

2. NWT Child Benefit Payment Dates 2026

While the COLO is gone, the Northwest Territories Child Benefit (NWTCB) remains active and essential. This is a monthly, tax-free payment for low-to-middle income families.

Official 2026 Deposit Calendar

The NWTCB is combined with your federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

NWT Survival Hacks

This deep dive identifies the high-value programs that NWT residents often overlook now that the COLO is gone. These "Street Hacks" focus on the massive 2026 increases to the Senior Home Heating Subsidy.

1. The $6,000 Zone 3 Heating Hack

NWT senior home heating subsidy rates."

• The Street Angle: Most provinces give seniors $200 or $400 for heating. The NWT gives up to **$6,000**.
• The Hack: The subsidy is based on where you live.
• The Strategy: * Zone 1 (Yellowknife/Hay River): $460/month ($3,680 total).
  • Zone 2 (Inuvik/Fort Simpson): $560/month ($4,480 total).
  • Zone 3 (Tuktoyaktuk/Paulatuk): $750/month ($6,000 total).
• The Move: If you are 60+ (not 65!), you qualify. This is a 5-year age advantage over federal benefits. Apply before March 15, 2026 at any ECE Service Centre.

2. The Age 60 Early Access Rule

Many residents search for "NWT seniors benefits age eligibility."

• The Hack: The NWT is one of the most generous regions for "Pre-Seniors."
• The Strategy: Both the Senior Home Heating Subsidy and Income Assistance for Seniors start at age 60.
• The Move: If you are 61 and living in a remote community, you can access the full $6,000 heating subsidy and dental/optical coverage four years before your federal OAS starts.

3. NWT Seniors Dental & Optical: The $1,000 Win

A rising search in 2026 is "NWT seniors dental and optical 2026 coverage."

• The Hack: Low-to-modest income seniors (60+) receive 100% coverage for many services.
• The Move: This includes up to $1,000 every two years for dentures and $200 every two years for eyeglasses.
• The Strategy: Always present your NWT Health Care Card at the pharmacy or dentist. Unlike the Federal Dental Plan, the NWT provincial plan is often more comprehensive for Northern-specific costs.

4. The "Income Assistance for Seniors" Top-Up

If you are over 60 and your only income is a small pension, search for "NWT income assistance for seniors."

• The Hack: The NWT provides a monthly "Basic Needs" allowance that is higher than most southern provinces to account for northern food prices.
• The Strategy: If your income is below the threshold, the territory can pay your actual cost of utilities (power and water) on top of your food allowance. This is the ultimate "Safety Net" now that the COLO is gone.

5. The Shared Custody NWTCB Rule

Following our Shared Custody CCB Rules, the NWT Child Benefit is also split 50/50.

• The Move: If you share custody, both parents will see a smaller monthly amount, but the payments are issued on the same day as the CCB. Ensure your 2025 tax return correctly reflects your custody status to avoid an overpayment debt in July 2026.

4. NWT Benefit Summary Table 2026

NWT COLO 2026

What happened to the NWT Cost of Living Offset (COLO) for 2026? The NWT Cost of Living Offset was cancelled in April 2025 after the territorial government set the consumer carbon tax to zero. Residents no longer receive quarterly checks. Instead, support has been shifted to the Senior Home Heating Subsidy, which provides between $3,680 and $6,000 per year to eligible residents aged 60 and over, depending on their community zone. The NWT Child Benefit continues to be paid monthly on the 20th of each month.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I still get the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) in the NWT?

A: No. Residents of the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut do not receive the federal Canada Carbon Rebate. The territories have their own systems (or in the NWT's case, have scrapped the consumer tax and rebate entirely).

Q: Why is the senior age 60 in the NWT?

A: To encourage residents to stay in the North as they age, the GNWT offers many "Senior" programs starting at age 60, five years earlier than the national standard of 65.

Q: How do I apply for the Heating Subsidy if I rent?

A: You are eligible if you pay for your own heating. You must provide a copy of your tenancy agreement and a recent heating bill to your local ECE Service Centre.

Q: What is the income limit for the NWT Child Benefit?

A: The benefit is targeted at families with a net income under $80,000. The amount is highest for those earning under $30,000 and gradually phases out as income rises.

About the Author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.

Sources

1. Government of the NWT: Senior Home Heating Subsidy Rates and Zones 2025-2026
2. CBC North: N.W.T. scrapping consumer carbon tax and offset payments
3. CRA: Northwest Territories Child Benefit - Payment Dates 2026

Note

Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.