Frequently Asked Questions

A. The Government of Canada is phasing out cheques by April 2016. Please contact the department responsible for the payment to notify them of your address change and to enrol for direct deposit. If you receive more than one federal payment by cheque, please be sure to change your address and enrol in direct deposit for each payment.

Programs and Services

• Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan ,Canada Student Loans and Employment Insurance: contact Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
• Income Tax Refunds, Goods and Services Tax Credit or Rebate, Canada Child Tax Benefit: contact the Canada Revenue Agency.
• Canada Savings Bonds: contact the Bank of Canada.
• Veterans' benefits: contact Veterans Affairs Canada - Services and Benefits.
• Public Service Pension Plan: contact the Public Service Pension Centre.

To find out how to contact other federal departments or agencies, visit the Government of Canada Web site or call 1-800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).

A. For a payment that has already been issued as a cheque, a new one can be issued, but you may have to complete legal forms. In order to receive another cheque, the recipient must contact the issuing department or agency.

The Government of Canada is phasing out cheques by April 2016. Please contact the responsible department to enrol for direct deposit. For more information please visit the Direct Deposit Web Site.

A. The superannuation program is administered by the Public Service Pension Centre of Public Works and Government Services Canada in Shediac, New Brunswick. Please go to Your Public Service Pension and Benefits Portal - Retired Member, or call 1-800-561-7930 (within Canada and the continental USA) or 506-533-5800 (from outside Canada or the continental USA - collect calls are accepted).

A. Normally, the issuing department or agency for the payment is usually identified on the cheque stub. Often, there is also a phone number to call if you have questions. If there is no stub, please contact the Payment Products and Services Directorate, of Public Works and Government Services Canada, at 819-956-1455, or by e-mailing (RequetesRG.RGEnquire@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca) the Receiver General for Canada.

A. Receiver General cheques are never stale dated, meaning you can cash them no matter how old they are. The financial institution (bank, credit union, trust company, caisse populaire) in Canada has the right, however, to validate the cheque by faxing a copy to the Cheque Redemption and Control Directorate in Matane, Quebec. For more information you can visit the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Web site

A. No. By law, a financial institution (bank, credit union, trust company, caisse populaire) in Canada cannot charge a fee for cashing a Government of Canada cheque. For more information you can visit the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Web site.

A. In most cases, money received during the month of death has to be repaid, but there are some exceptions. Please contact the issuing department or agency for details on how to stop the payments.

A. Please contact the department responsible for details on how to stop the payments. If the deceased was receiving more than one federal payment, please contact each issuing department or agency.

A. Although all payments to and from the Government of Canada are made in the name of the Receiver General, enquiries regarding taxes and tax payments should be made directly to the Canada Revenue Agency.

A. Due to mail processing, it is possible that certain cheques may be delivered by mail on a date prior to the date printed on it. Please do not attempt to deposit these payments before the date printed.

To have payments automatically deposited to your bank account on the appropriate date, please visit the Direct Deposit Web page for more information. Please note that the Government of Canada is phasing out cheques by April 2016.

A. The Receiver General issues payments on behalf of departments and agencies; for details regarding payments, the recipient must contact the issuing department or agency.

A. All departments accept payment by cheque made to the Receiver General for Canada. Cheque payments should be mailed to the issuing department of agency, or at the Cheque Redemption and Control Directorate, located at Cheque Redemption Control Directorate, P.O. Box 5000, Matane, Qc. Canada, G4W 4R6

Many departments also accept payment by credit or debit card, while others allow payment by telebanking, personal computer banking, money order or travellers cheque. To determine which options are available to you, please contact the issuing department or agency for the services/programs that you are receiving.

A. The invoice was sent to you from the issuing department or agency for the services/programs that you are receiving, and all questions should be address to this department directly.

A. In some instances the estate is required to pay the invoice. Please contact the issuing department or agency for more information on how to make the payment.

A. A direct deposit is the electronic transfer of funds that are deposited directly into your bank account rather than through the use of a paper cheque.

Secure – Direct deposit is fast, reliable and safe. There is virtually no risk of your payment being lost, stolen or damaged.
Reliable – Your payment will always be on time, and your money can begin to earn interest right away.
Cost Efficient – With fewer cheques to print and mail, we are saving Canadian taxpayers’ money. The cost to produce a cheque is approximately 82 cents while a direct deposit payment costs about 13 cents.
Convenient – Faster access to your money. There is no risk of your money being held up as a result of unforeseen delivery issues.

A. You can enrol for direct deposit payments in the following ways:

1. Enrolment forms are available on various government Web sites and in some cases, electronic enrolment is also available. Please visit the following Web sites for instructions on completing the forms.
   • Canada Revenue Agency for Individuals (Income Tax, Child Tax Benefit, GST/HST Credit, etc.) and for Businesses (GST/HST Refunds and Rebates)
   • Service Canada (For Employment Insurance, apprenticeship grants, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security payments)
   • Bank of Canada (Canada Savings Bonds, Canada Premium Bonds, etc.)
   • Receiver General for Canada (for general enrolment)
   • Veterans Affairs Canada (Veterans Affairs Pension, Veterans Affairs Financial Benefits)
2. By contacting the issuing department or agency.
3. By consulting your Financial Institution.

If you require assistance during the completion of a Direct Deposit Enrolment Form for Government of Canada payments, please call the Receiver General enquiries line at 1-800-593-1666 (toll free) Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

A. Enrolment forms for Canadians residing in foreign countries are available on the Foreign Direct Deposit Web Site.

A. If you are receiving a payment that is included on our enrolment form, please complete a new form providing your new banking information. If the payment you receive is not included on the form, please contact the issuing department or agency for the payment. It is recommended that you do not close your old bank account until your first payment has been deposited to your new bank account. If you receive more than one federal payment by direct deposit, please contact each department responsible for that payment.

A. Manual processing of enrolment forms can take longer than enroling electronically. For a list of departments that offer electronic enrolment , visit the Direct Deposit Web Site. If after several payments you are still receiving cheques, you should contact the government issuing department or agency for the program for which you have applied for direct deposit. For example, if you have completed an enrolment form for Old Age Security or Canada Pension Plan, you would contact Service Canada. For the Canada Child Tax Benefit or the Goods and Services Tax Credit, you would contact the Canada Revenue Agency. There are other departments that administer programs that offer Direct Deposit as a payment method. Whichever department is responsible for the payment in question should be contacted for enrolment verification. For more assistance with direct deposit enrolment, call 1-800-593-1666 (toll free) Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

A. If you don’t want all payments to be deposited in the same bank account, you will need to fill out a separate enrollment form identifying the services you wish deposited in a different bank account.

For example, you can have your Canada Pension Plan payments deposited into one account and your Old Age Security payments deposited into another account. In this example you will need to complete an enrolment form for Canada Pension Plan and another enrolment form for Old Age Security.

There are some department programs where this is not permitted. Income Tax refunds and GST/HST credits issued by Canada Revenue Agency must be deposited into the same bank account.

A. The branch number, the financial institution number and account number are found at the bottom of the cheque as shown in the diagram below. You can also take the enrolment form to visit your financial institution for assistance with your enrolment form.

A. You can visit your financial institution and they will assist you with determining your bank account information and in completing your enrolment form.

A. Yes, depositing money into your bank account using a direct deposit payment is no different than any other deposit made into your joint account.

A. For more assistance with direct deposit enrolment, call 1-800-593-1666 (toll free) Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). You may also visit your financial institution for assistance in completing the form.

A. You will find the mailing address on the back of the enrolment form.

A. Most government payments are available through direct deposit. The main payments available via direct deposit are listed below. Please contact the issuing department or agency, or call 1-800-593-1666 (toll free) Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). For more information on Direct Deposit, please visit the Web Site www.directdeposit.gc.ca

• Canada Pension Plan
• Canadian Forces Pension
• Child Tax Benefit
• Employment Insurance
• Government Annuities
• GST/HST Refunds
• Income Tax Refunds
• Old Age Security
• Public Service Pension
• RCMP Pension
• Universal Child Care Benefit
• Veterans Affairs Financial Benefits
• Veterans Affairs Pension
• War Veterans Allowance
• Working income tax benefit (WITB) Advance Payments

A. If you do not receive a payment, please contact your financial institution. If your financial institution is unable to assist you, please contact the Receiver General Enquiry line at 1-800-593-1666 (toll free) Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

A. If you receive a payment and it is not in the correct amount, please contact the issuing department or agency for the payment.

A. The Government of Canada considers privacy and security of utmost importance in the issuance of payments. Any information you provide to the Government of Canada in support of Direct Deposit is protected under the Government of Canada Privacy Act. Access to your account is governed by your account agreement with your financial institution. Please consult with your financial institution for more information regarding security measures for accessing your account.

A. Receiver General cheques are never stale dated, as stated in Canadian Payments Association Rule G2, General Rules Pertaining to Government of Canada Paper Instruments.

A. First, look for the two most prominent security features, the watermark and the fibres.

You should then refer to Canadian Payments Association Rule G7 Verification and Collection Procedures for Receiver General Warrants. For more information, you can visit the Automated Clearing Settlement System Web Page of the Canadian Payments Association, e-mail them at info@cdnpay.ca, or call them at 613-238-4173

For more information you can visit the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Web site

A. Receiver General cheques are never stale dated, as stated in Canadian Payments Association Rule G2 General Rules Pertaining to Government of Canada Paper Instruments.

For tips on how to validate a Government of Canada cheque or warrant, look for the two most prominent security features, the watermark and the fibres. You should then refer to Canadian Payments Association Rule G7 Verification and Collection Procedures for Receiver General Warrants Web Page of the Canadian Payments Association, e-mail them at info@cdnpay.ca, or call them at 613-238-4173.

A. For tips on how to recognize a valid cheque, please consult the article entitled, "Message to Businesses - Security Features on Government of Canada Cheques"; contact the department listed on the cheque or visit the Government of Canada Web site or call 1-800 O Canada (1 800 622 6232).

A. It is recommended that you first contact the issuing department or agency where you submitted your invoice for the product or service you provided. Payment is normally made within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. If needed, you could also contact the official responsible for the project or contract to follow up on your behalf. To reach the right department, please refer to your contract.

A. Please contact the Operations Division of Payment Products and Services Directorate at RCNLDOPSDPSP.NCRDLPPSDOPS@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca, for information on how to process an Assignment of Crown Debt.

A. Through a competitive process, the Bank of America® was awarded a contract to manage the Government of Canada's foreign banking requirements.

A. For most recipients, their payment will be in the currency of the country where they live; therefore they should be getting a better exchange rate. Although cashing cheques may result in lower fees, direct deposits payments are not subject to postal disruptions.

A. The cheques will continue to display the Canada wordmark and logo on the top portion. The remainder of the cheque will be designed and signed by a Bank of America® official and may change depending on the requirements of the country.

A. No. As a result of this contract, you should benefit from a better exchange rate and may see a reduction in banking fees.

A. Exchange rates fluctuate over time, so it is impossible to pre-determine the rate. However, the Bank of America® will be able to offer a competitive rate. The fact that program payments are usually made on the same day for all recipients allows for the use of pooled conversion rates advantageous to the recipients.

A. Where the cheque has been requisitioned in Canadian currency and converted to local currency the amount on the cheque stub reflects the Canadian dollar value of the payment before it was converted to local currency.

A. The first direct deposit may take approximately three months after receipt of the completed enrolment form. Direct Deposit is available for recipients living in Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Europe (includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain), Finland, Hong Kong, India, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapor, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

If you reside outside of one of these countries, please check the Receiver General Web site Direct Deposit to see when direct deposit will be available to your country.

Currently direct deposit is available for most program payments. To determine if direct deposit is available for the program for which you are receiving benefits you may call the department that issues your cheque. The numbers are as follows:

• War Veterans Allowance (WVA)
  • Inquiries Ontario Regional Office-Benefit Administration Collect calls will be accepted at 705-567-9571 ext. 4371.
• Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)
  • Inquiries Foreign Countries Operations 00-1-800-996-22421 (toll free from UK, Germany, France, Belgium) 1-888-996-2242 (toll free from US) Other countries 613-996-2242 (collect).
• Income Security Program (ISP)
  • Inquiries Clients from the US can call 1-800-277-9914 (English) or 1-800-277-9915 (French) Foreign clients can call 613-957-1954 (this call is at their expense) Clients can also fill out a feedback page at Contact Old Age Security (OAS) or Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Programs.
• Visitor Rebate Program
  • 1-800-668-4748 (in Canada) 902-432-5608 (outside Canada). Clients can send e-mail to: Canada Revenue Agency - Visitors to Canada. Clients can write to:
  • Visitor Rebate Program
    Summerside Tax Centre Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
    275 Pope Road, Suite 104
    Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada
    C1N 6C6

A. A claim of right is a right which entails responsibilities, duties, or obligations on other parties regarding the right-holder. For example: the right to have a name, the right to have a home, etc.

A. Pursuant to the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) Act, the Receiver General for Canada has no mandate to address claims of right. Also, claims of right do not impose any legal obligation on this Department. We recommend that you consult with a lawyer of your own choosing in order to be informed of your legal rights regarding claims of right.

A. You are not two people for tax purposes. For more information, see Canada Revenue Agency warns Canadians about tax protester schemes.

A. False. This myth is based on the faulty argument that the Canadian Constitution gives the power of direct taxation exclusively to the provinces. For more information, see Debunking tax myths.

A. False. Pursuant to the Financial Administration Act (FAA), all funds held in the CRF are managed by the Receiver General on behalf of the Government of Canada, and as per s.26 of the FAA, no payments shall be made out of the CRF without authority of Parliament. Therefore, you are not entitled on obtaining shares. We recommend that you consult with a lawyer of your own choosing in order to be informed of your legal rights regarding this matter.

A. In accordance with the Bills of Exchange Act, a bill of exchange is an unconditional order in writing, requiring the person to whom it is addressed to pay, on behalf of the person demanding it a sum certain in money to a third party.

A. The Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), which includes the Receiver General for Canada, has no mandate to address bills of exchange. Also, bills of exchange do not impose any legal obligation on this Department. We recommend that you consult with a lawyer of your own choosing in order to be informed of your legal rights regarding bills of exchange.

A. The birth certificate is not a property of the Government of Canada and it is not an instrument to request payment by the Government of Canada of any Debt incurred under your name. It is an official document issued by a Provincial Government giving details of a person's birth. For any information or to voice any concerns regarding a birth certificate, please consult the Provincial Government where the birth certificate was issued.

A. A social insurance number is not an account number. By law, Canadian citizens, newcomers to Canada or temporary residents must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada, to receive certain federal/provincial government benefits and service, to pay income tax and receive a tax refund, and to provide to banks and institutions where interest is earned. For further information regarding your SIN, you should consult Service Canada. Please note Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) is responsible for the issuance of Social Insurance Numbers.

A. Pursuant to the Privacy Act, no personal information can be collected by a federal government institution unless it relates directly to an operating program or activity of the institution. With respect to the Receiver General, there is no program or activity specific to the allocation of funds located within the consolidated revenue fund for an individual by way of their SIN.

A. It is not in the mandate of the Receiver General to pay the debts contracted by an individual.

A. The Public Accounts of Canada are tabled in the House of Commons each fall. Copies are available in most libraries, or you can read them at Public Accounts of Canada 2012.

A. The Payment on Due Date rate is based on the average Bank of Canada discount rate for the previous month plus 3 percent. Complete information is available at Payment on Due Date (PODD).

A. If your account has been inactive for less than ten years, contact your financial institution. When there has been no owner activity in relation to the balance for more than 10 years, and the owner cannot be contacted by the institution holding it, the balance is turned over to the Bank of Canada, which acts as custodian on behalf of the owner. You can search for an unclaimed balance by using the search form from the Bank of Canada.

If you haven't found the information you need, you can contact the Receiver General for Canada.