The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sends a benefit notice each time it works out how much you’ll get from the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), which was called the GST/HST credit until July 2026. When it recalculates an amount during the year, it sends a notice of redetermination.
What it looks like and who sends it
The notice comes from the CRA, in your CRA account as online mail or by letter mail. It shows:
- how much you’ll get for the benefit year, and often how it will be paid
- the information the CRA used: your marital status, your children, and your adjusted family net income from your tax return
- for a redetermination, the new yearly amount
The CCB and CGEB have their own notices. Provincial and territorial credits that the CRA pays with the CGEB are usually included in those payments. In Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Benefit is paid separately, usually on the 10th of each month, so check your CRA account for an Ontario Trillium Benefit notice too.
What it means in plain words
The regular notice (usually in July)
The benefit year runs from July to June. Each July, the CRA uses last year’s tax return to set your amounts for the next 12 months. For July 2026 to June 2027, it uses your 2025 return.
- CCB is paid monthly, usually around the 20th.
- CGEB is paid four times a year, around the 5th of July, October, January and April. If your amount is under $50 a quarter, you get it all in July.
A notice of redetermination
The CRA recalculates your benefit, and sends this notice, when:
- your tax return, or your spouse’s, is reassessed and your net income changes
- your marital status changes
- the number of children in your care changes
- a benefit recipient dies
A redetermination can go either way. If you’re owed money you missed, the CRA pays it with your next scheduled payment. If you got too much, you’ll get a notice with the amount due. See what to do about a “you owe” notice.
Do you need to act?
Read the “information we used” part carefully. That’s where problems show up.
- Everything is right: No action needed. Keep the notice. Other government programs may ask for information from it.
- Something is wrong or out of date: Yes. If your name, marital status, spouse or child information is wrong, contact the CRA so it can recalculate. Waiting can lead to an overpayment you’ll have to repay.
- The notice says you owe money: Yes. Read the overpayment section of the notice and follow its instructions.
- You got no notice and no payments: Make sure you and your spouse filed your tax returns. Both are needed for the CCB and CGEB.
Exactly what to do
- Sign in to your CRA account and open the notice under Mail or Benefits and credits.
- Compare the details with your real situation.
- Update what’s wrong in your CRA account, or call the benefits line.
- For a marital status change, tell the CRA by the end of the month after the month your status changed. If you separated, wait until you’ve been apart for more than 90 days in a row before you report it.
If you disagree
If the information is right but you think the calculation is wrong, you can file a formal objection. Objection rights apply to CCB and CGEB determinations and redeterminations. For most individuals, the deadline is 90 days from the date of the notice, or one year after the tax filing deadline, whichever is later. Call the CRA first; many problems are fixed by updating your information.
How to check it’s real
- Real notices are in your CRA account. Sign in by typing canada.ca into your browser yourself.
- The CRA doesn’t send texts or emails about benefits with links to click, and doesn’t send payments by e-transfer or text.
- The CRA may ask for your SIN, date of birth or documents in a real letter or call, but never for gift cards, crypto or your banking password.
Who to call
- CRA benefits line (CCB, CGEB, provincial benefits): 1-800-387-1193, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time.
- Benefit overpayments and payment plans: 1-888-863-8662.
- To report a scam: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, 1-888-495-8501.