These benefit cheques are coming next to Ontario residents
Published April 18, 2024 at 3:08 pm
As Ontario residents struggle with the latest hike at the gas pumps, knowing when the next benefit cheques are coming could be useful.
Ontario saw a 14-cent hike at the pumps today (April 18) causing “chaos” at gas stations last night.
While many people blame the high gas prices on the April 1 federal carbon tax increase, unrest in the Middle East and the switch over from winter to summer gas formula are also factors.
Most people will get the carbon tax funds back through the Canada carbon rebate, previously called the climate action incentive payment.
Approximately 90 per cent of fuel charge proceeds go back to residents through the quarterly cheque or direct bank deposit. Eight out of 10 households get more money back than they spend on the fuel charge, according to the federal government.
The idea behind the carbon tax is to reduce gas consumption and therefore carbon pollution.
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Residents must file income taxes to be eligible for the payment as the amount each person gets depends on their current family situation and where you live in Canada.
The 2023 payments were $140 for an individual plus $70 for a spouse and $35 per child. The rural supplement was $28.
Ontario residents who filed their income taxes electronically by March 15, should have got their payment this week on April 15.
If you file after March 15, generally, you can expect the payment six to eight weeks after your tax return has been assessed, likely around June or July. The deadline to file income taxes is April 30.
People entitled to the carbon tax rebate should get the next payments on July 15, Oct. 15 and Jan. 15.
The GST/HST credit is another payment that requires people to file their income taxes in order to be eligible.
The tax-free quarterly payment is meant to help individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset the GST or HST that they pay, according to the federal government. It may also include payments from provincial and territorial programs.
For the payment period from July 2023 to June 2024, single residents could get up to $496 a year, $650 if you are married or have a common-law partner and $171 for each child under the age of 19.
The next date for the GST/HST credit is July 5.
Other payments coming soon include the Ontario trillium benefit, which is the combined payment of the Ontario energy and property tax credit, the Northern Ontario energy credit, and the Ontario sales tax credit.
The trillium benefit should arrive on May 10 and can be up to $1,194 a year for eligible individuals divided into monthly payments. Those 65 years old and over may receive up to $1,360 per year.
For more information and to see if you are eligible, see the Canadian government website here.
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