With the holiday season and the end of 2025 approaching, many Canadians are searching for information regarding a rumored one-time payment to help manage rising costs. While the Government of Canada continues to provide essential benefit payments like the Canada Child Benefit and the GST/HST tax credit, there has been significant disinformation online about a new $680 or $2,000 relief check.
This post clarifies the official payment dates, explains current eligibility criteria, and provides a CRA warns alert to help you avoid disinformation about government benefits.
CRA Confirms Truth Behind the One-Time Payment
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has recently addressed the rumors circulating on social media regarding a new 680 one-time payment. CRA confirms that while they continue to administer various federal benefits, there is no new, separate $680 or $2,000 relief payment scheduled for December 2025.
Much of the information found on unofficial websites is disinformation, often used to lure taxpayers into sharing personal data.
To stay safe, always refer to official government sources. The official Government of Canada web pages, specifically canada.ca, are the only places where new legislation or benefit payments are officially announced. If you see a claim about a “new grocery rebate” or an “inflation relief payment” that isn’t on the official CRA site, treat it as false information.
Protecting Yourself from the $680 Payment Scam
A common scam currently targeting a senior or low-income individual involves fraudulent text messages or emails claiming a one-time payment is ready for deposit. These messages often feature the Government of Canada logo and ask you to click a link to “claim your refund.” Clicking these links can lead to fake CRA login pages designed to steal your CRA My Account credentials or banking details.
The CRA warns that they will never send an e-transfer or ask for personal information via text. If you receive a message about a 680 dollar payment that requires you to click a link, it is a scammer attempt. Always verify the status of your benefits or payments by logging directly into your CRA account through the official government of Canada portal.
Official 2025 Benefit Payment Dates
Despite the false information online, there are several legitimate benefit payments that eligible Canadians will receive. These income-tested benefits are calculated based on your recent tax filings, specifically your tax return from the previous year. For many, these payments provide the necessary payment for eligible expenses during the winter months.
| Benefit Type | Upcoming Payment Dates (Late 2025 / Early 2026) |
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | December 12, 2025; January 20, 2026 |
| GST/HST Tax Credit | January 5, 2026 |
| Canada Carbon Rebate | January 15, 2026 |
| Advanced Canada Workers Benefit | January 12, 2026 |
| Old Age Security (OAS) | December 22, 2025; January 28, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for Federal and Provincial Benefits
To receive the payment for any legitimate federal program, you must meet specific eligibility requirements. Most federal and provincial credits, such as the Canada workers benefit or the disability tax credit, require you to have filed your tax return on time. The CRA has confirmed that your 2021 adjusted family net income was used for past rebates, but 2025 payments rely on more recent filings.
For a senior receiving the Old Age Security pension or the Guaranteed Income Supplement, payments are usually issued in the last week of the month. These are income-tested benefits, meaning the payment amount is adjusted based on your earnings. If you are eligible, the funds are sent via direct deposit or cheque delivered by Canada Post.
How to Avoid Disinformation and Fake Tax Returns
The rise of disinformation on websites claiming new benefits has made it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Some sites suggest you need to apply for a new grocery rebate or a special inflation tax credit, but in reality, most of these are applied automatically when you file your taxes. False information about a “one-time payment” can lead to people filing fake tax returns in hopes of getting a payout that doesn’t exist.
To ensure you are getting the correct CRA payment, check the government of Canada web pages frequently. If there is an alert regarding a new program, it will be clearly listed under the “Benefits” section. Remember, a legitimate payment will not affect your other credits, and the CRA and banking institutions will never collaborate to send you unsolicited links for cheque payments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the $680 one-time payment for 2025 real?
No, the CRA has confirmed that the $680 one-time payment is disinformation online. There is no such payment being issued by the Canada Revenue Agency at this time. Always check canada.ca for a list of valid benefit payments.
2. When is the next GST/HST tax credit payment?
The next scheduled payment dates for the GST/HST tax credit is January 5, 2026. This is a quarterly payment intended to help low-to-modest income Canadians offset sales taxes.
3. What should I do if I receive a text about a CRA refund?
Treat it as a scam. The CRA warns that they do not use e-transfer or text messages to issue refunds. Do not click any links; instead, log in to your CRA My Account to check your official mail and payment status.
