The Canada Revenue Agency is providing an update on the payment schedule for Canadians who did not receive scheduled benefit payments the first week of April.
The original payment for the GST/HST credit (GSTC) was scheduled for April 5, with the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) due April 6.
The CRA confirms in correspondence with BayToday that the vast majority of missed direct deposit payments were issued April 14, with the remainder made Monday. Those not registered for direct deposit will receive a cheque "in the next few days," if they haven't already.
See related: CRA confirms how many are impacted by payment 'glitch'
A technical issue led to payments not being issued to some Canadians either by cheque or direct deposit. According to the CRA, "Approximately 217,000 or 2 per cent of the more than 13 million GST/HST credit and Ontario Trillium benefit recipients have been impacted by this interruption."
Asked the total amount of the payments delayed by the technical issue, the CRA replies, "The total dollar value is not readily available."
There will be no interest paid out for those who have been waiting over 10 days for the payments, states the CRA. "In accordance with subsection 164(3) of the Income Tax Act, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does not pay interest on late issued benefit program payments (e.g. GSTC, CCB, OTB) nor does the CRA charge arrears interest on benefit program overpayments."
Readers contacted BayToday in advance of the Easter long weekend saying they had not received payments due to what they had been told is a government "glitch."
See also: CRA 'working around the clock' on late government payments
The CRA states, "We are committed to informing and being transparent with Canadians and will post updates to the Tax credits and benefits for individuals on the Canada.ca web page, to our portal, and through social media as more information becomes available. We regret any inconvenience that this situation may cause and encourage anyone experiencing significant financial hardship as a result of this situation to contact the CRA immediately at 1-800-387-1193 (1-866-426-1527 in Yukon, NWT and Nunavut) to discuss their options. The CRA is here to help."
