Are you experiencing homelessness? Make sure you’re getting your payments

If you are staying in a shelter, in between homes, or don’t have a place to live, the Government of Canada can provide financial support by getting you access to available benefit and credit payments.

Benefit and credit payments you could get

• Payment - Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit
  • How often - July, October, January, and April
  • Helps to - offset the cost of GST or HST paid on products and services
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year
• Payment - Advanced Canada workers benefit (includes a disability supplement if you’re eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC)**)
  • How often – July, October and January
  • Helps to - reduce the cost of living for individuals and families who are working and earning a low income
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year and be eligible for the Canada workers benefit
• Payment - Canada child benefit (CCB)
  • How often – Monthly
  • Helps to - support the needs of children under 18
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year and apply using Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application
• Payment - Child disability benefit
  • How often - Monthly
  • Helps to - support the needs of a child under 18 who is living with a disability and is eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC)**
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year and be eligible for the CCB
• Payment - Provincial and territorial benefit and credit payments
  • How often - Varies
  • Helps to - offset certain costs by province and territory (payments calculated based on your tax return)
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year

* In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria

** More information on the DTC: canada.ca/disability-tax-credit

What you need to do your taxes

Social insurance number (SIN)

To work in Canada or access certain government programs and benefits, you need a SIN. If you do not have a SIN or have lost it, contact Service Canada at 1-866-274-6627 or go to an office near you.

Tax slips

At the beginning of the calendar year, you should receive tax slips with the information you need to do your taxes.

If they are missing, get them online in My Account or call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281.

Keep your personal information up to date: Changes to your address, marital status, or bank account can affect your payments. If you don’t have a permanent home, you can use a temporary address, such as a shelter, to continue receiving your payments and mail.

Do your taxes by April 30 each year to keep getting your payments: If you are married or in a common-law relationship, both you and your partner need to file. In Quebec, you also need to file a separate provincial tax return with Revenu Québec. Find more information at canada.ca/taxes-get-ready

Protect yourself from scams

Beware of scammers pretending to be the CRA. When in doubt, call the CRA. Learn about what to expect if the CRA contacts you, go to canada.ca/taxes-fraud-prevention

Get more information

Online

Before calling, check Canada.ca! You may be able to find what you need at canada.ca/benefits-credits-hi

To order CRA publications in alternate formats, including large print and braille, go to canada.ca/cra-multiple-formats

Free tax help: You may be eligible to get your tax return filed for free by a volunteer. Find out if you are eligible at canada.ca/get-tax-help

By phone

Questions about benefits:1-800-387-1193

Residents of the territories with an 867 area code: 1-866-426-1527

General questions or to get forms: 1-800-959-8281

TTY (teletypewriter): 1-800-665-0354

Canada Video Relay Service (VRS): 1-800-561-6393

Questions about social insurance numbers (SIN): 1-866-274-6627 (Service Canada)

Questions about doing taxes in Quebec: 1-800-267-6299 (Revenu Québec)