What to do if you haven't gotten your $200 Ontario rebate cheque yet (and other answers)
Still waiting on your $200 Ontario rebate cheque? You're not alone. The provincial government started mailing out Ontario Taxpayer Rebate payments to eligible residents two weeks ago, but not everyone has received theirs yet.
If you're wondering when yours will arrive — or what to do if it never does — we've got answers.
The one-time $200 rebate is aimed at helping Ontario taxpayers deal with rising costs. All Ontario residents who were at least 18 at the end of 2023, filed their 2023 tax return by the end of 2024 and were not bankrupt or incarcerated last year are eligible for the $200 government payment. Plus, parents who have applied for the Canada Child Benefit can get an additional $200 per child.
But since the payments are being sent out as cheques (yep, no direct deposit), delays and delivery issues are bound to happen. So, what can you do if yours hasn't shown up yet? We got all the details.
When will I get my Ontario rebate cheque?
Ministry of Finance spokesperson Scott Blodgett told Narcity that cheques are being mailed out in the order of when residents filed their 2023 taxes. If you submitted your return early, your payment should be on its way. If you filed later, you might need to wait a bit longer.
As of January 29, Blodgett says approximately 8.15 million rebate payments had been sent out.
"While we can't provide an exact date for when the final checks will arrive, over two-thirds have been sent and we expect the rest to be sent/arrive by mid-February," Cam Vidler, another Ministry of Finance spokesperson, told Narcity.
How do I track the status of my Ontario rebate?
The Ontario government has an online tracking tool where you can check on the status of your rebate. In order to track your cheque, you'll need a ServiceOntario account login (you can create one if you don't already have one), the last four digits of your SIN, your birthday and the postal code you used on your 2023 tax return.
If you're eligible, you'll be able to see whether your cheque has been mailed yet and what address it's being sent to.
What if I've moved?
If your cheque was sent to an old address, don't panic — you can update your mailing address online by the same method as above, or by calling ServiceOntario at 1-833-351-0409 (just don't try doing it in person at a ServiceOntario location — they won't be able to help you).
Once the change is processed, a new cheque will be mailed to you, and the old one will be cancelled.
Keep in mind that an address change can take up to 10 business days to process, and during this period, the online tracking tool may still show your old address. Blodgett says that's normal and you should refrain from submitting any additional address changes while you wait.
What if I don't have a fixed address?
For those without a permanent address, the Ministry of Finance says cheques will be sent to whatever address was listed on your 2023 tax return. Blodgett confirmed that can include a local shelter, an Ontario Works office or an Ontario Disability Support Program office.
You can also update your delivery address to any mailing address that works better for you by the same method as above.
Why is the Ontario rebate being sent by mail?
If you're wondering why this isn't just an easy direct deposit, you're not alone. While Ontarians seem to have many different theories, we may never know the full answer.
When asked why the province opted for mailed cheques over direct deposit, Blodgett simply said that "cheques are an effective way to deliver payments to eligible recipients."
I still haven't gotten my cheque — what now?
If the end of February rolls around and your cheque still hasn't arrived, your best bet is to check its status online or call ServiceOntario for an update. And if you're worried about scams, remember: The government will never text, email or call you asking for banking info related to this rebate.
For more details, you can visit Ontario.ca/TaxpayerRebate. Hopefully, your cheque is just around the corner!
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