Have you missed a Benefit cheque in Ontario?

If you’ve applied and qualified for government benefit cheques sent out monthly or quarterly and haven’t received a payment, your immediate response may be to contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

However, as per the CRA’s guidelines, there’s a suggested waiting period before reaching out to them regarding missing or undeposited cheques.

Child Tax Credit

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) oversees the tax-free monthly Child Tax Credit benefit, designed for eligible families supporting children under 18. The CCB may incorporate the child disability benefit along with relevant provincial and territorial programs.

The monthly payment dates for the Child Tax Credit are:

• January 19
• February 20
• March 20
• April 19
• May 17
• June 20
• July 19
• August 20
• September 20
• October 18
• November 20
• December 13

The Ontario Child Benefit offers up to $1,607 annually per child, depending on an individual’s family net income and the number of children under 18 years of age in their care.

How long to wait: Five working days from the payment date.

Goods and services tax / harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit

The quarterly payment dates for the GST and HST refunds are:

• January 5
• April 5,
• July 5,
• October 4,

For individuals who are single, may receive an annual amount of $496.

Those who are married or have a common law partner are eligible to receive $650.

Parents with a child under the age of 19 could get $171 per child.

How long to wait: Ten working days from the payment date.

Ontario Trillium Benefit

The Ontario Trillium Benefit, disbursed on a monthly basis, includes the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. The payment dates are as follows:

• January 10
• February 9
• March 8
• April 10
• May 10
• June 10
• July 10
• August 9
• September 10
• October 10
• November 8
• December 10

Individual between the ages of 18 – 64 could receive an annual amount of up to $1,194. For those 65 years old and over may receive up to $1,360 per year

How long to wait: Ten working days from the payment date.

Climate Action Incentive

Other benefits, such as the GST/HST credit and the Climate Action Incentive Payment Credit, are sent out quarterly, each on separate days. The Climate Action Incentive serves as a carbon tax refund for taxpayers. Here are the quarterly dates when the payments will go out:

• January 15
• April 15
• July 15
• October 1

The annual payment for a family of four in Ontario could be up to $976.

How long to wait: Ten working days from the payment date.