How to Discover if You Have an Unclaimed Government Cheque in Canada
Millions of dollars in government funds are waiting to be claimed by Canadians across the country. According to recent data, there are approximately 3.9 million uncashed government cheques that have never been deposited or cashed by their intended recipients. These cheques can include tax refunds, benefit payments, and other disbursements from federal agencies like the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
What Types of Cheques Go Unclaimed?
The uncashed cheques typically originate from various government programs and departments. Common examples include:
- GST/HST credit payments
- Canada Child Benefit payments
- Old Age Security supplements
- Tax refund cheques
- Provincial benefit payments in some cases
Many of these cheques become stale-dated after six months, meaning financial institutions may refuse to cash them, but the funds remain payable by the government.
How to Search for Unclaimed Cheques
Canadians have several options to check whether they have outstanding government cheques:
- Check Your CRA My Account: The most direct method is to log into your CRA My Account online portal. Under the "Benefits and Credits" section, you can view any uncashed cheques issued to you.
- Review Your Mail: Sometimes cheques are sent but never received or misplaced. Ensure your address is current with the CRA to prevent delivery issues.
- Contact the CRA Directly: You can call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to inquire about any outstanding payments. Be prepared to verify your identity.
- Check with Your Bank: Some financial institutions can help determine if you have stale-dated cheques that need reissuing.
What to Do if You Find an Unclaimed Cheque
If you discover an uncashed cheque in your name, the process to claim it is straightforward:
- Request a replacement cheque from the issuing agency (typically the CRA).
- Ensure your banking information is up-to-date for direct deposit to avoid future issues.
- Cash or deposit the cheque promptly once received.
The CRA does not charge fees for reissuing uncashed cheques, and there is no time limit for claiming these funds—they remain payable indefinitely.
Why So Many Cheques Go Unclaimed
Several factors contribute to the accumulation of uncashed government cheques:
- Address Changes: Canadians who move without updating their information with the CRA may never receive mailed cheques.
- Banking Changes: People who close bank accounts without arranging for cheque redirection.
- Overlooked Payments: Some recipients, particularly those receiving multiple benefits, might overlook smaller payment amounts.
- Elderly or Vulnerable Individuals: Those with cognitive issues or limited mobility may struggle with financial management.
To reduce uncashed cheques, the government encourages Canadians to switch to direct deposit, which ensures payments arrive securely and immediately in bank accounts.
Additional Resources and Considerations
Beyond federal cheques, some provinces maintain their own unclaimed property programs for various assets. While this article focuses on federal payments, Canadians should also check provincial resources if they suspect other unclaimed funds.
Regularly monitoring your CRA account and keeping contact information current are the best practices to ensure you receive all government payments owed to you. With billions potentially waiting in unclaimed funds, taking a few minutes to check could put unexpected money back in your pocket.
