All the benefit cheques you should have received in 2024 in Ontario so far

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Ontario Works or emergency assistance

For those facing financial difficulties, like buying essentials such as food and paying for shelter, the Ontario government offers assistance known as Ontario Works or social assistance.

Additionally, emergency assistance provides short-term financial support during crises or emergencies.

Eligibility is based on household income, ownership, and family size, and only one application is needed per family.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old, Ontario residents with Canadian status, and willing to participate in employment-related activities.

Emergency assistance is available for those in crisis, such as those affected by COVID-19, facing eviction, leaving an abusive situation, or experiencing a natural disaster.

Applicants must be Ontario residents with Canadian status, not currently receiving social assistance, and have ongoing income. Here are the payments that were sent out:

• December 29
• January 31
• February 29
• March 28
• April 30

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Tax assistance for residents

Low-income seniors (65+ years) or individuals with disabilities who have owned and resided in their homes for at least one year can apply for an annual property tax rebate if they meet specific criteria.

To be eligible, every property owner must receive benefits under the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Program or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Alternatively, the spouse of an owner receiving GIS or ODSP benefits also qualifies.

Some instances include:

• If a married couple owns the property, either one must receive GIS or ODSP.
• If a married couple, along with a sibling, owns the property, the sibling and either spouse must receive GIS or ODSP.
• If two siblings own the property, both must receive GIS or ODSP.

Qualifying for the tax rebate automatically makes you eligible for a Stormwater Charge Subsidy.

Single-family homes receive subsidies on their Region of Peel water bill, while condominiums receive a mailed cheque from the City of Mississauga.

Applications must be submitted by December 31 of the current tax year, but submission is possible at any point in the year if all required documentation is available.

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Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security

The maximum monthly payment for the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) for residents over 65 is $1,306.57.

For the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, individuals between the ages of 65 and 74 with an annual income of less than $142,609 are eligible for a monthly payment of up to $707.68. Those between the ages of 75 and over with an annual income of less than $148,179 may receive up to $778.45 monthly.

The Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security payments are sent out monthly. The dates for these payments are:

• January 29
• February 27
• March 26
• April 26

How to apply: Residents looking to apply for the program can visit the website here for details on the requirements and follow the four-step application process.

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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 child disability benefits and relevant provincial and territorial programs.

The dates for the Child Tax Credit are:

• January 19
• February 20
• March 20
• April 19
• May 17

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 to apply: Parents or guardians can apply using birth registration, their online CRA account, or opt for mail submission. Individuals can apply in various situations, including when the child is born, starts living with them, returns after a temporary period away, or if custody arrangements change. To check for eligibility requirements and other information, applicants can visit the website here. 

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Grocery Rebate

The 2023 Grocery Rebate is twice the amount of an individual’s GST/HST credit payment. The calculation considers a person’s family situation and the 2021 adjusted family net income.

The lump sum payment date is as follows:

• July 5

A family of four will receive up to $628 by direct deposit or cheque from the Canada Revenue Agency, while single people without children will get up to $234, and seniors will see a rebate of up to $225.

How to apply: Individuals who filed their tax return are eligible for the payment. More information on the grocery rebate can be found here. 

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Ontario Trillium Benefit

The Ontario Trillium Benefit, disbursed every month, 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

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

How to apply: According to the website, individuals interested in this benefit must apply annually. They must submit their personal Income Tax and Benefit Return. Additionally, they must complete and include the ON-BEN Application Form provided in their tax return package. The CRA says residents must file their tax return, even if there’s no income to report.

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Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly Climate Action Incentive)

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

• January 15
• April 15

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

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GST/HST refund

Individuals who file their taxes are eligible for this benefit. The first two of the quarterly payment dates for the GST and HST refunds are:

• January 5, 2024
• April 5, 2024

Single individuals may receive an annual amount of $496.

Those married or with a common-law partner can receive $650.

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

These cheques can all be cashed at any bank in Canada.

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Advanced Canada Workers Benefit

The Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) is a refundable tax credit to help low-income individuals and families who are working. The benefit consists of a basic amount and a disability supplement.

The payment dates for these benefits are:

• January 12

As per the CRA’s website, the maximum basic amount for the CWB is $1,428 for single individuals and $2,461 for families. Single individuals with an adjusted net income exceeding $33,015 are not eligible for the basic amount, while for families, the adjusted net income is $43,212.

The disability supplement offers a maximum of $737 for singles and families. Ineligibility applies to individuals if their net income exceeds $37,932, and for families, it’s a household income between $48,124 and $53,037, depending on spouse eligibility.

How to apply: Individuals can claim the CWB when they file their income tax return. More information on eligibility requirements can be found here. 

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If you’ve missed some payments, here’s how you can get them

Residents who have applied for any of these benefits can check the status of their payments online in their “My Account” if they have created an account on the CRA website.

The Canadian government emphasizes that these cheques never expire.

The CRA cannot void the original cheque and reissue a new one unless requested by the account holder. This process involves verification, potentially requiring the completion of forms, and the issuance of a replacement cheque if deemed necessary.

If you haven’t received a payment or missed some, the CRA suggests waiting ten days from the payment date before reaching out. Those without a CRA account or who do not have email notifications set up can check on uncashed cheques or missed payments by calling 1-800-959-8281.