Is your Canada Child Benefit much lower, or nil, this month? You're not alone

Arabnews24.ca:Wednesday 22 March 2023 12:40 PM: Some parents who have been receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) say they were taken aback this week when they didn't get their normal payments.

Beginning this month, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) began recovering any CCB overpayments it made during the COVID-19 pandemic which in some cases it didn't collect between May 2020 and this month.

"I woke up and checked my account like most parents do on the 20th, and I had zero. It's a huge ding to us," said Jodi Waite, 43, of London, Ont. 

Waite and her partner have six children, three of whom qualify for the CCB.

The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment delivered to eligible families with children under 18. Among other things, it's based on number of children, marital status and income.

You bank on that money. Every month, it's there. To not have it, it's a real letdown. There's going to be a lot of people struggling.- Jodi Waite, London, Ont., mom of three

Waite's family usually collects $833, but her CRA account shows she owes $3.724.97. So she didn't get her normal monthly CCB payment, which was issued March 20. 

Waite says she doesn't owe the CRA  $3,724.97, and that she plans to file a dispute saying that amount is based on an incorrect date when she and her partner moved in together.

Waite said she had no idea her CCB would be held back.

"It's kind of scary because as of a week ago, I checked my CRA and it said I was still getting my March payment," said Waite, who is on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Facebook posts like this one have been popular:

Many people in a London-based Facebook group have been talking about seeing a reduction in their Canada Child Benefit payments.
Many people in a London-based Facebook group have been sharing that they're seeing a reduction in their CCB payments. (Facebook)

A CRA spokesperson confirmed to CBC that CRA overpayments are being recovered.

"The first CCB payment impacted by offsetting is the March 2023 payment," said Sylvie Branch.

"If a recalculation shows that an individual was overpaid CCB, the CRA sends a notice of redetermination that includes a remittance voucher to inform the individual of the balance owing. 

"The CRA may keep all or a portion of future CCB payments, income tax refunds, or goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credits until the balance owing is repaid."

Waite said her family relies on the CCB funds.

"If you have children, you bank on that money, every month it's there. To not have it, it's a real letdown. There's going to be a lot of people struggling, not just myself."

Jodi Waite of London, Ont., pictured with one of her son, Bodie. Waite receives the Canada child care benefit for three kids.
Jodi Waite of London, Ont., pictured with one of her sons, Bodie, says she receives the CCB for three kids. (Submitted by Jodi Waite)

We'll work with people, says CRA

Kyra-Lynn Audet, 26, of London is another parent whose family is being impacted by the government's recovery of CCB overpayments. 

"They dropped me about 60 per cent," said Audet, who usually receives nearly $800 for her two-year-old daughter. 

"They said they sent a letter and everything. I didn't receive any letter," added Audet, who doesn't have daily access to a computer and is expecting her second child in November. "I have no idea why, but now they say they overpaid me."

Audet's outstanding debt was pegged at around $1,300, but is now down to $900 after the CRA took nearly half of her March cheque.

She relies on the CCB for diapers, groceries and other bills, she said.

"I'm beyond nervous especially because I'm also preparing to have a newborn," said Audet. "How am I going to get a car seat? How am I going to get their stroller? How am I going to get all of their needs and stuff along with also making sure my daughter currently is provided for when they keep taking more and more and more?"

The CRA will work with people on a case-by-case basis, said Branch.

"If a taxpayer believes that the use of their benefits and/or credits to pay down their debt has caused significant financial hardship, they should contact the CRA directly to discuss their options at 1-888-863-8662, even if they already have a payment plan in place."

LISTEN | Two moms say clawbacks of their Canada Child Benefit payments came as a surprise:

London Morning6:37Some parents shocked to find their federal child benefit clawed back

London mothers Kyra-Lynn Audet and Jodi Waite were taken aback when their federal child care benefits were clawed back by hundreds of dollars. The two mothers tell London Morning host Rebecca Zandbergen how the benefit helps them get by, and what it means to lose that support.

Get the latest news delivered to your inbox

Follow us on social media networks

 
c 1976-2021 Arab News 24 Int'l - Canada: كافة حقوق الموقع والتصميم محفوظة لـ أخبار العرب-كندا
الآراء المنشورة في هذا الموقع، لا تعبر بالضرورة علي آراء الناشرأو محرري الموقع ولكن تعبر عن رأي كاتبيها
Opinion in this site does not reflect the opinion of the Publisher/ or the Editors, but reflects the opinion of its authors.
This website is Educational and Not for Profit to inform & educate the Arab Community in Canada & USA
This Website conforms to all Canadian Laws
Copyrights infringements: The news published here are a feed from different media, if there is any concern,
please contact us: arabnews AT yahoo.com and we will remove, rectify or address the matter.