Some benefits cheques are bouncing in Ontario

There’s a “technical glitch” stopping some Ontario residents from cashing their $200 tax rebate cheques just days after receiving them in the mail, the province says.

The $200 rebate payments intended to help Ontario families struggling with the high cost of living started being mailed in January, with a government spokesperson confirming to INsauga.com that cheques are being mailed out according to when an individual filed their taxes.

But some recipients have run into “a technical glitch” that could stop the payment from clearing, according to the province.

“We are aware of an issue with a small number of cheque deposits due to a technical glitch affecting clearing activities with the bank,” the province’s rebate website reads.

Last week some residents were unable to cash their $200 rebates, with more than two dozen bounced deposits according to reports on CP24 and CBC.

Some 11.45 million rebates have been issued but some recipients have had issues ranging from issues using online banking apps to deposit the cheques to ATMs not accepting the rebate payments, and some RBC and TD Bank customers ran into roadblocks that led to delays in their deposits, the reports read.

Anyone who has been unable to cash their rebate cheque will have a credit issued to their account “and any associated charges will be reimbursed,” the province says.

The $200 taxpayer rebate is being sent to Ontario residents who were 18 years or older at the end of 2023, lived in Ontario on Dec. 31, 2023, filed their 2023 Income Tax and Benefit Returns by Dec. 31, 2024 and are not bankrupt or incarcerated in 2024.

Children under 18 will also get a $200 taxpayer rebate that “in most situations” will be made “to the person(s) who receives the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) in respect of the child and is a resident of Ontario.”

Earlier this week the government’s rebate webpage included a “scam alert,” saying the province will not contact residents by text, email, or phone to ask for personal information like a Social Insurance Number (SIN) or bank account information, offer money or a reward, or “sign you up for a rebate program.”

“The Government of Ontario will only contact you directly in response to a question or query about the rebate you initiated,” the scam warning reads.

While Premier Doug Ford has been accused by critics of using the rebates to grab the attention of voters ahead of a snap election, the province’s website says the money “will give immediate relief for Ontario families in the face of high interest rates and the federal carbon tax.”

Last week the Ministry of Finance confirmed to INsauga.com that some 7.5 million payments had been issued, representing around half of the rebates.

To confirm eligibility and also cheque status, taxpayers can visit Ontario.ca/TaxpayerRebate or call ServiceOntario at 1-833-351-0409/ 1-888-821-9056.