The Canadian government offers many government benefits for the elderly, such as Old Age Security (OAS) pensions. Recently, a rumor has circulated that the government will roll out a bonus payment for OAS recipients.
Since the rumor about the CRA bonus payment is circulating, the OAS recipients are now wondering if this is real or fake. The OAS recipients can check the truth behind the CRA bonus payments here.
CRA Bonus Payment 2025
The Canada Revenue Agency administers the government benefits for all the citizens, such as retirees, older people, disabled people, survivors, and others. The government offers OAS, Canada Pension Plan, and other benefits to make the life easier for the elderly people and help them cover their expenses with the rising cost of living.
Now, there is a rumor circulating in social media that the government is issuing a bonus payment for the elderly who are receiving the OAS pension from the CRA. As per the rumors, the government will roll out a $31,000 OAS bonus payment for eligible seniors.
The rumors say the CRA will release the bonus payment specifically for the OAS recipients in March 2025. Now as we are in March, the recipients are wondering if this news of bonus payment is real or not, many people are wondering about the credibility of this news.
Is CRA Bonus payment news real or fake?
The OAS recipients wondering about the CRA bonus payment that will process in March 2025, as per the rumors, should know that the government or CRA has not made any official statement about the bonus payment. The government will at least send a notice or release an official statement on the payout before releasing such payment.
The rumor of the CRA bonus payment is been circulating on social media posts or third-party websites. The recipients should know that until the CRA makes any official statement about the bonus payments, there is no such payment, so the recent news on the OAS bonus payment is fake.
Generally, such news are circulated by the scammers to get the citizens’ personal information or financial information to misuse them later. The scammers generally target the elderly group or needy people as they do not understand the digital space and believe in these posts.
Thus, the CRA always instructs the citizens to confirm the news on the official website before believing or sharing personal information on such websites or posts.
Will the Canadian government announce CRA bonus payment?
The Canadian government has not made any official statement on CRA bonus payments for the elderly people. Many people are expecting the government to announce such a bonus payment as the cost of living is increasing in the country, which is affecting the lives of the elderly, retirees, or adult people living alone.
Many people are struggling with their basic needs, hence such bonus payment news may attract them easily. According to the current inflation reports, the economy of the nation seems strong, the solid labour market seems to be in control, though some sectors are facing challenges. Currently, for a family of four, the monthly cost of living will be around $8,228, while for an individual it can be around $3,327 a month.
If the government decides to announce such a CRA bonus payment, they have to look into all aspects before announcing such payments, as it will affect the nation’s economy as well. Though such bonus payment will boost the buying power among the citizens, that will help the economy, but making such decisions would require a long legislative process.
The government would need to first present the proposal for the bonus payment, so if the government comes up with such a payment in the future, the citizens will know it.
How to report the CRA bonus payment scam?
Now that we know the CRA bonus payment news can be a scammers’ way to get confidential information that can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and others. If you come across any such CRA bonus payment text messages or posts, they are asking you to apply through the link given in their post, you should immediately report it to the CRA.
The CRA will look into the matter and can issue an official warning against the potential scam. The citizens should know the CRA will never text you via social media, or through a personal contact number, or a third-party app regarding any governmental benefit. The CRA will either contact you through official notice via official CRA handles and website.
If you come across any such messages, you can report the scam to the CRA at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/report-scam.html or you can call at 1 866 274 6627 if your Social Insurance number is stolen or someone has misused it.
You should report the potential scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center and stay vigilant of such scams. The Canadian government has not released any statement for the CRA bonus payment, so recipients anticipating the bonus payment should not believe the ongoing rumors.