Ontario Rebate Cheque Delay? Address Changes Could Be the Reason Why

Some colleagues discussed Ontario’s $200 rebate cheques recently. Two people hadn’t received theirs yet. They realized they both moved in the last year. Their cheques were mailed to their old addresses. Luckily, it’s an easy problem to fix.

First, check your cheque’s status online using the tracking tool. You need your account login, the last four digits of your SIN, your birth date, and tax return postal code. This information helps locate your cheque.

If the cheque went to your old place, update your address so they will cancel the old cheque and send a new one to your new address. This could take six to eight weeks. Update your address online or call ServiceOntario, but don’t visit a physical location.

Address changes may take ten days to show, so do not submit another change during that time. To get the money, you must be eligible; being in prison in 2024 or having declared bankruptcy last year disqualifies you. You must have been 18 by the end of 2023 and lived in Ontario on Dec. 31, 2023.

Also, you must have filed your 2023 taxes by the end of 2024. Even eligible deceased people can get it; the payment goes to their estate.

Some people have had cheque issues. There was a technical glitch with some deposits, and the province will credit your account if affected, and reimburse any charges. Some cheques had the wrong name, so call ServiceOntario to update your name.

ServiceOntario will reissue a cheque in three to four weeks, and simultaneously cancel the previous cheque. Be aware that scammers are trying to steal the money. The Ontario government will only contact you after you reach out.

They won’t text, email, or call you to sign you up. They also won’t ask for personal information. If they do, you’re probably being scammed.