Eligible Canadians can now get some extra relief on their rent payments. The federal government is giving out a one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit and you only have a few more days to apply.

You have until March 31st, 2023 to apply for the Canada Housing Benefit. It’s designed to help low-income renters with their housing payments.

This one-time top-up will provide a tax-free payment of $500 to those who qualify, and the money will go towards rent relief.

The payments are distributed by the Canada Revenue Agency and there are several requirements you’ll have to meet to get the payment.

First, you must be at least 15 years old as of December 1st, 2022, and reside in Canada. And yes, students who pay rent and meet requirements are also eligible for this benefit.

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You must also have an adjusted net income of $20,000 or less as an individual and $35,000 or less as a family in 2021. In 2022, the eligible rent that you paid had to be equal to at least 30% of your 2021 net income.

Plus, only those who have filed their 2021 income tax return will be eligible. You must meet all of the criteria to be accepted.

The federal government has a step-by-step guide to preparing your application and sending it off for review.

To get the one-time payment, you do not need to be receiving other housing benefits like the Canada Housing Benefit.

The government is also accepting applications for the Canada Dental Benefit. Right now, this benefit is designed for children under 12 years old who are receiving dental care between October 1st and June 30th, 2023.

According to the CRA, two tax-free payments (across two pay periods) of $260, $390, or $650 are available for each eligible child.

Times are tough right now, and these benefits are sure to provide some much-needed relief.

Karen Doradea

Karen Doradea

Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Netflix, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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