Over the past few weeks, social media has been buzzing with claims that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will distribute a \$250 cost-of-living relief payment to all Canadians in August 2025.
The news spread quickly, sparking excitement among households struggling with rising costs of groceries, rent, and utilities. However, after closer inspection, it becomes clear that the \$250 payment is not real. Instead, it originated from an earlier proposal that was cancelled before rollout.
So, what’s the truth? And what legitimate benefits can Canadians actually expect this month? Let’s break it down.
The Origin of the \$250 Payment Rumour
The \$250 payment rumour can be traced back to the Working Canadians Rebate, a one-time relief plan announced in late 2024.
- Purpose: To provide tax-free relief to workers dealing with rising living costs.
- Amount: \$250 per eligible worker, based on 2023 income.
- Administration: CRA was expected to handle payments.
But before implementation, the program was cancelled, and no money was ever distributed.
Despite this, misleading posts began circulating online in 2025, claiming that CRA would automatically send \$250 to Canadians in August. These claims are false.
The Truth About the \$250 Relief Payment
Here’s the reality:
- Announced: November 2024
- Status: Cancelled before rollout
- Amount: \$250 (never paid)
- Current Situation: No federal \$250 payment is scheduled for August 2025
The CRA has not issued any updates suggesting the revival of this program or the introduction of a similar benefit.
What Canadians Can Actually Expect in August 2025
While there will be no \$250 relief cheque, Canadians are still entitled to legitimate federal benefits that continue to provide real financial support.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
- Next Payment Date: August 20, 2025
- What It Is: A tax-free monthly benefit that helps parents and guardians with the cost of raising children under 18.
- Eligibility:
- Must be a Canadian resident.
- Must live with and be primarily responsible for the child.
- Must have filed the 2024 tax return.
- Amount: Varies based on income, family size, and age of children. For 2025, families can receive up to \$7,997 annually per child under 6 and \$6,748 per child aged 6–17.
The CCB remains one of the most important benefits for families across the country.
GST/HST Credit
- Next Payment: October 2025 (no payment in August).
- What It Is: A quarterly, tax-free credit to help offset sales taxes for low- and moderate-income Canadians.
- Eligibility: Determined by family net income and number of dependents. Calculated automatically once taxes are filed.
- Typical Annual Amount: Up to \$520 for a single adult, \$589 for couples, plus \$231 per child.
If you received your last credit in July 2025, your next payment will arrive in October 2025.
Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR)
- Status: Ended in March 2025 for individuals.
- What It Was: A quarterly rebate designed to return federal fuel charge revenues to households.
- Final Payment: March 2025.
Anyone referencing the CCR for August payments is sharing outdated information.
August 2025 Payment Schedule Overview
| Program | Status in August 2025 | Payment Date | Who Qualifies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | Yes | Aug 20, 2025 | Parents/guardians of children under 18 | Amount based on 2024 tax return & family income |
| GST/HST Credit | No | Next in Oct 2025 | Low/moderate-income Canadians | Automatically issued |
| Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) | No | Ended March 2025 | — | Discontinued |
| \$250 Relief Payment | No | — | — | Cancelled before rollout |
How to Check Your Benefit Eligibility
To ensure you’re not missing legitimate CRA benefits in August 2025:
- File your taxes annually – Filing ensures the CRA has your income details to calculate CCB, GST/HST credits, and other benefits.
- Update your CRA My Account – Keep details like marital status, dependents, and address current.
- Set up direct deposit – Payments are faster and safer through direct deposit than mailed cheques.
Beware of Scams Linked to the \$250 Payment
The false \$250 rumour has unfortunately been used by scammers. Common tactics include:
- Emails or texts with links asking you to “claim your \$250.”
- Requests for banking details to “secure your payment.”
- Fake websites mimicking CRA login pages with unofficial URLs.
Protect yourself: Access CRA only through the official site at canada.ca or your CRA My Account. Never share personal information through suspicious links.
Preparing Financially for August 2025
Even without the \$250 relief cheque, households can take steps to manage finances this month:
- Check your CCB payment date and plan expenses accordingly.
- Budget around known benefit schedules, such as October’s GST/HST Credit.
- Avoid payday loans based on misinformation about relief programs.
- Track benefit adjustments, as many are indexed for inflation each July.
5 FAQs
Q1: Is the \$250 cost-of-living payment real?
No. The program was cancelled before it started. No \$250 payment is being issued in August 2025.
Q2: What payments are available in August 2025?
Families will receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) on August 20, 2025.
Q3: When is the next GST/HST Credit payment?
The next credit will be issued in October 2025.
Q4: Has the Canada Carbon Rebate ended?
Yes. The final CCR payment was made in March 2025.
Q5: How can I avoid scams about fake CRA payments?
Only check benefit details on canada.ca or CRA My Account. Avoid clicking on third-party links.
