Extra benefit cheques expected in April 2024 for Ontario residents

Many Ontario residents can expect a few extra benefit cheques in April.

The federal government’s quarterly payments such as the GST/HST refunds should arrive in April for those who qualify.

Many benefits are only sent to those who file their income tax return.

So, as tax time quickly approaches — the deadline to file income taxes is April 30, 2024 — this is a good reminder to file this year’s return.

RELATED: 4 benefit cheques coming in February and March 2024 in Ontario

Here are the benefit cheques eligible residents will receive in April:

Ontario Trillium Benefit

The Ontario Trillium Benefit is the combined payment of the Ontario energy and property tax credit, the Northern Ontario energy credit, and the Ontario sales tax credit programs. The payments are designed to help low- to moderate-income Ontario residents with the sales tax on energy and property taxes.

Residents between 18 and 64 years old could receive an annual amount of up to $1,194. Those 65 years old and over may receive up to $1,360 per year.

The next payments are on March 8 and April 10.

GST/HST refund

The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset the GST or HST that they pay.

The maximum a single person would get for the entire 2023/24 payment year (July 2023 to June 2024) is $496. Couples can get up to $650, plus an additional $171 for each child under the age of 19.

This quarterly benefit should arrive on April 5.

Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly known as Climate Action Incentive payment)

The Canada Carbon Rebate is a tax-free amount paid to help individuals and families offset the cost of federal pollution pricing. The payment is $140 for an individual plus $70 for a spouse or common-law partner, and $35 per child under 19 and $70 for the first child in a single-parent family.

Rural residents also get an additional $28 for an individual, $14 for a spouse or common-law partner plus $7 per child under 19 years old, and $14 for the first child in a single-parent family.

Starting in April 2024 for the 2023 base year, the rural supplement will be increased to 20 per cent of the base amount, pending Royal Assent.

Like the GST/HST credit, this cheque is sent quarterly and should arrive on April 15 for eligible residents.

Canada Child Benefit

The Canada Child Benefit is a monthly benefit for eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The benefit may include the child disability benefit and related provincial and territorial programs.

Eligible families will receive payments on April 19.

Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security

Canada Pension Plan benefits are monthly retirement pensions paid out to people at least 60 years old. The payments are not automatic, people must apply. Service Canada may automatically enrol people for the Old Age Security pension when they are 65 years of age or older.

The next payment should arrive on April 26.

For more information, see the Government of Canada website here.