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Overview

Are you eligible?

Do you need to apply?

When are payments made?

How much will you get?

How will you get your payment?

More information

Overview

The Northwest Territories (NWT) cost of living offset is a tax-free benefit paid to individuals and families living in the NWT to help offset the cost of the NWT carbon tax.

The Canada Revenue Agency will be issuing all payments on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Are you eligible?

You will receive the NWT cost of living offset if you are a NWT resident for at least three months before the payment date and you have filed an income tax and benefit return for the previous year. Even if you have no income or your income is tax-exempt, you must file a return every year to receive the benefit payments.

There are two benefit levels: one for adults aged 18 or older and one for children under the age of 18.

Only one payment will be issued per family.

Do you need to apply?

No. You do not need to apply to receive the payments. The Canada Revenue Agency will determine your eligibility and issue payments to all entitled individuals.

When are payments made?

Two interim payments will be made: one in October 2019 and one in April 2020.

If you are eligible but have not received your first NWT cost of living offset interim payment by November 15, 2019, call 1-800-387-1193.

If you live in the Territories, and your area code is 867, you can also call the dedicated individual and benefit enquiries telephone service for territorial residents at 1-866-426-1527.

Starting in July 2020, regular quarterly NWT cost of living offset payments will be issued in July, October, January and April. These payments will be combined with the quarterly payments of federal GST/HST credit.

How much will you get?

The two interim payments will be $52.00 per adult and $60.00 per child. For example, a family of 2 adults and 2 children will get two interim payments of $224.00.

If parents share custody of a child, each parent will receive an amount of $30.00 for the child.

How will you get your payment?

Payments will be issued by cheque or direct deposit based on the information and preferences you have on file with the Canada Revenue Agency. If you get your federal GST/HST credit payment by direct deposit, you will also get your NWT cost of living offset payment by direct deposit.

More information

If your address changes, you need to tell the Canada Revenue Agency as soon as possible. Be sure to tell us the exact date of your move. You can change your address online by going to My Account. For more information, see when should you contact us?

To get the forms you need to file your 2018 income tax and benefit return, download the Northwest Territories income tax and benefit package or call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-8281.