Benefits, credits and financial support: CRA and COVID-19

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Benefits, credits, and financial support: CRA and COVID-19


Financial support is available to Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, including new benefits and credits and changes to existing ones. You may be eligible for support via other financial programs.


Benefits, credits and support


Home office expenses for employees

Claim a deduction for certain home office expenses on your personal income tax return.

Benefit reviews by the CRA

The CRA validates eligibility to various benefit programs. A CRA officer may contact you to request further information in order to validate and approve your application.

Canada child benefit (CCB)

If you didn’t file your 2018 tax return, you didn’t receive the one-time increase to the CCB payment in May 2020. But it’s not too late! If you are late in filing your 2018 tax return, we encourage you to file as soon as possible. You may be eligible for retroactive benefits and credit payments. The only way to get your benefits and credits, including the one-time increase to the CCB payment, is by filing your 2018 tax return.

GST/HST credit

If you didn’t file your 2018 tax return, you didn’t receive the one-time additional GST/HST credit payment in April 2020. But it’s not too late! If you are late in filing your 2018 tax return, we encourage you to file as soon as possible. You may be eligible for retroactive benefits and credit payments. The only way to get your benefits and credits, including the one-time additional GST/HST credit payment, is by filing your 2018 tax return.

Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs)

The minimum required withdrawal for RRIFs has been reduced by 25% for 2020.

Old Age Security Return of Income (OASRI)

Old Age Security payments to non-resident seniors have been temporarily extended even if their 2019 OASRI has not been assessed. Submit your 2019 OASRI before October 1, 2020 to continue your payments.


Sign up for Direct Deposit

Direct deposit is the quickest and most reliable way to get benefit and credit payments. Sign up through My Account or through your financial institution. This includes banks, credit unions and trust companies.

Sign in to My Account
or your Financial institution



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Date modified:
2022-06-09