The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced a one-time $300 federal payment scheduled for November 29, 2025 — intended to help eligible Canadians manage rising living costs by offering a short-term financial boost.
This is a non-recurring, standalone support payment: it is not part of ongoing benefit programs like GST/HST credits or the Old Age Security (OAS), but instead serves as a temporary relief for those who qualify.
Who Qualifies for the Payment?
Eligibility Criteria
To receive the $300 payment, you need to meet the following conditions:
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes — residing in Canada during the eligibility assessment period.
- Have filed your 2024 tax return. The CRA uses your most recent tax information to verify eligibility.
- Fall under low to modest income levels (similar to the thresholds used for GST/HST credits), which means single individuals or families with lower combined incomes are most likely to qualify.
- Be in compliance with CRA’s benefit-related rules — for example, you should have no unresolved tax issues and have up-to-date direct deposit or mailing information.
Who Is Most Likely to Benefit
While CRA determines eligibility automatically, the payment is designed to help those under financial strain — such as:
- Low-income workers
- Seniors living on fixed incomes
- Single parents or single-adult households
- Individuals already receiving benefits like GST/HST credit
- Families earning below national median income
- Households facing high living costs
How and When You Will Receive the Payment
- Deposit date: November 29, 2025.
- If you have direct deposit set up with CRA, funds should arrive in your bank account that same day.
- If you rely on mailed cheques, delivery may be delayed — possibly by up to 10 business days depending on your location.
Because this is being treated as a separate payment, recipients do not need to apply — CRA will issue it automatically for eligible individuals.
Does This Payment Affect Other Benefits?
No — the $300 payment will not interfere with existing benefits such as GST/HST Credit, OAS, Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Canada Child Benefit (CCB), or any provincial/territorial supports. It is treated as a non-taxable, standalone benefit and doesn’t need to be reported as income.
Why Is CRA Issuing This Payment?
Amid rising inflation, increased prices for essentials like food, utilities, rent, and other household costs, the government recognizes that many Canadians — particularly seniors and low/modest income households — are under financial pressure.
The $300 payment aims to offer immediate, short-term relief, helping households manage cost-of-living spikes during late 2025.
What You Should Do to Get the Payment
To avoid delays or missing out on the payment, it’s advisable to:
- Confirm that your direct deposit information with CRA is current (bank account, routing, etc.).
- Ensure that you have filed your 2024 tax return — this is critical for eligibility verification.
- Update your mailing address, especially if you rely on cheques.
- Monitor your account on CRA My Account for deposit notifications or mail-out alerts.
The upcoming $300 federal payment from the CRA represents a timely measure to provide financial relief to seniors and low/modest-income Canadians as they navigate rising living costs in late 2025.
Because it’s a one-time, non-taxable payment that doesn’t affect other benefits, it serves as a practical support boost ahead of year-end.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and have your banking and tax details up to date, this extra help should arrive automatically — offering welcome breathing room for many households.
FAQs
Do I need to apply to receive the $300 payment?
No — eligible recipients will get the payment automatically based on their CRA records.
Will this $300 boost affect my existing benefits like OAS or GST credit?
No — the payment is standalone and will not impact ongoing benefits.
Is the $300 payment taxable or do I need to declare it on my tax return?
No — the payment is non-taxable and does not need to be reported as income.