Is the Canadian Government Giving $500 to Everyone? Fact Check

The Canadian Government is providing $500 as a temporary top-up payment to citizens who need extra money in addition to their income. The Finance Department of Canada has issued a new notification aiming to support the rent expenses borne by the citizens. The offered amount can be used to purchase groceries, pay important bills, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Previously, people used to borrow money from others and take loans to pay the rent, which is increasing considering how expensive everything is getting due to the rise in inflation. The government wants to ease the financial burden faced by citizens. The question that comes to every person’s mind is, Is the Canadian Government Giving $500 to Everyone?

So, please note that not everyone will get the amount offered by the government. The people who are getting a burden on rent in Canada will be eligible to get the payment. The Federal Government will transfer the amount to eligible ones. Scroll down the page to get more updates.

Is the Canadian Government Giving $500 to Everyone?

All people who are earning very low wages for the services they are providing or people who are facing challenges in paying the rent in Canada can get $500. It has been noticed that the earning amount which a normal person earns is comparatively lower than the average amount required for a person to live in the country as the cost of living is getting higher day by day. Landowners who offer rooms or houses on rent have specific morns that must be fulfilled to get the land.

These morns are especially gender-related, which is causing many women to be homeless. After seeing these kinds of situations in the country, the Canadian Government decided to control them by offering financial aid. Many people will think that the amount offered by the government is very low. Therefore, no changes can be made. However, it must be noted that small help can make a huge difference. People can use the amount to buy groceries or even pay half of the rent if not in full.

Eligibility Criteria to get $500 from the Canadian Government

Please note that the government was providing $500 through the one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit. It is an eight-year plan that has been prepared to provide financial assistance that will help citizens cover the rise of inflation. The government of Canada does not want the citizens of Canada to be in a situation where they will have to borrow money or live life without getting even the necessities.

The government has set the eligibility criteria for the program, which will ensure that people who require money the most can become a part of the program. The following is the mentioned eligibility:

• Interested ones must have been born on or before 1st December 2007 (at least 15 years old on 1st December 2022)
• The principal residence of the candidates must be in Canada as of 1st December 2022.
• Applicants must have been residents of Canada in 2022 for tax purposes.
• Citizens must have filed their 2021 income tax return or even the statement of income by 31st March 2023.
• In case applicants had a spouse or common-law partner, then they must have also filed their 2021 income tax return or statement of income by 31st March 2023.
• Interested ones must have adjusted their family net income to:
  • $35,000 or less for families
  • $20,000 or less for individuals
• The rent paid by candidates in 2022:
  • Must be paid in the 2022 year.
  • Must have paid for any qualifying principal residences in the 2022 year.
  • The rent paid by candidates should be a minimum of 30% of the family net income adjusted in the 2021 year.

Fact Check

• Canadian Government is Giving $500 to everyone who fulfills all the eligibility conditions set for the Housing Benefit program.’
• By 2027-28, the same program would have helped in making the rent more affordable for more than 300.00 households having low income.
• The previous year, the federal government provided more than 800,000 tax-free $500 amounts through a one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefits.
• Around $99 Million has been spent by the government on the benefit.
• The federal government contributed by implementing the Canada Housing Benefit of $325 million in 2023-24. The amount will flow directly to low-income families through provincial and territorial rent support programs.

Frequently Asked Questions