If you get your Canada Revenue Agency payments by paper cheque, wildfire-related mail disruptions could hold them up. The CRA has confirmed that mail delays tied to wildfires may slow the delivery of paper cheques for some benefit and credit recipients across affected regions.
The fix the agency points to is straightforward: sign up for direct deposit so your money lands in your bank account regardless of what’s happening with the post. Below is what the CRA says is going on and how to make the switch.
Why are CRA benefit cheques delayed by wildfires?
Wildfires can force evacuations, close roads, and interrupt regular postal service in and around affected communities. According to the CRA, those mail disruptions can delay paper cheques that would normally arrive on their usual payment date.
The delay affects how a payment is delivered, not whether you’re entitled to it. If you receive benefits or credits by cheque and live in or near a fire-affected area, your payment may simply take longer to reach you because it depends on the mail. Electronic payments are not held up the same way.
How do I switch to CRA direct deposit?
Direct deposit sends your CRA payments straight into your bank account, so mail delays no longer matter. The CRA offers several ways to enrol:
- Online through CRA My Account: Sign in and update your direct deposit details in your profile.
- Through your financial institution: Many Canadian banks and credit unions let you sign up for CRA direct deposit through their online banking or mobile app.
- By phone or paper form: Contact the CRA directly if you cannot use the online options.
To register, you’ll generally need your bank’s institution number, transit number, and account number, along with your personal CRA information. Once your direct deposit is active, future payments should arrive electronically on the scheduled date.
Which CRA payments does this affect?
The disruption applies to payments the CRA sends by paper cheque through the mail. That can include benefit and credit payments many households rely on month to month. If you already receive your money by direct deposit, you should not see a wildfire-related delay.
The CRA has not, in this notice, published a specific list of affected postal codes or a set of dates for when normal cheque delivery resumes. If that detail matters for your situation, check directly with the agency rather than assuming a timeline.
What should I do if my cheque hasn’t arrived?
If you’re waiting on a paper cheque and it’s overdue, a few practical steps can help:
- Confirm your address is current: Make sure the CRA has your correct mailing address, especially if you’ve been evacuated or relocated.
- Switch to direct deposit now: This is the most reliable way to avoid future mail delays.
- Contact the CRA: If a payment is significantly late, reach out so the agency can check the status and, if needed, arrange a replacement.
Because evacuations can also change where your mail is delivered, keeping your contact and banking information up to date is the single best safeguard during fire season.
Where can I get official CRA information?
The guidance here comes from the CRA’s own advisory on wildfire-related mail delays, as reported by MSN. For the most current details on your payments, sign in to CRA My Account or contact the agency directly. If you’re in an evacuation zone, updating your address and enrolling in direct deposit are the two actions most likely to keep your money arriving on time.
