Stick to the Facts
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Many Canadians could be missing out on money that legally belongs to them without even realizing it. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has revealed that billions of dollars in government-issued payments remain unclaimed because recipients never deposited or cashed their cheques.
As of July 2026, more than 10.8 million government cheques remain uncashed, representing a combined value of approximately $1.88 billion. These are genuine payments issued for tax refunds, government benefits, and provincial credits that were sent to eligible Canadians but never reached their intended destination—or simply went unnoticed.
Whether you moved to a new address, misplaced an envelope, or forgot about a small refund years ago, it’s worth checking your CRA account. The process only takes a few minutes and could result in receiving money you are already entitled to.
Why Are So Many CRA Cheques Still Unclaimed?
At first glance, it seems surprising that billions of dollars could remain untouched. However, the reasons are often far more common than most people think.
Many Canadians relocate without updating their mailing address with the CRA. Others accidentally throw away envelopes that resemble ordinary mail. Some receive a cheque for a relatively small amount and forget to deposit it, while others lose the payment during major life events such as moving, changing jobs, or dealing with family matters.
There are also situations where payments were issued to people who later passed away, and their estates were never informed about the outstanding funds.
Since the CRA issues millions of payments every year, even a small percentage of forgotten cheques eventually adds up to an enormous amount.
More Than $1.8 Billion Is Waiting to Be Claimed
According to the latest CRA figures, the agency currently has:
- More than 10.8 million uncashed cheques
- A total value of approximately $1.878 billion
- An average cheque value of roughly $173
- Some payments dating back to 1998
These aren’t estimates or potential benefits that require an application. They are actual payments that have already been approved and issued.
The CRA’s Online Search Tool Makes Finding Money Easier
Recognizing the growing number of unclaimed payments, the CRA introduced an online Uncashed Cheques service through CRA My Account in February 2020.
The online system allows eligible taxpayers to quickly determine whether any outstanding payments are linked to their tax account.
Since launching the service, millions of Canadians have successfully recovered forgotten government payments worth more than $2 billion.
Although many people have already claimed their money, new uncashed cheques continue to accumulate each year as fresh payments are issued.
Why the Number of Unclaimed Cheques Continues to Increase
Many people assume that once the CRA creates an online search tool, the problem should disappear. In reality, the total continues growing.
Every tax season produces millions of refunds, benefit payments, and credit payments. While most Canadians receive money through direct deposit, thousands still choose paper cheques or have outdated banking information.
As a result, new uncashed payments are constantly being added to the CRA’s records.
This is one reason the CRA strongly encourages taxpayers to register for direct deposit whenever possible.
Types of CRA Payments That May Be Waiting for You
Uncashed government cheques come from numerous federal and provincial programs.
Income Tax Refunds
Many forgotten payments are ordinary income tax refunds issued after filing an annual return.
If someone changes addresses shortly after filing taxes, the refund cheque may never reach them.
GST/HST Credit Payments
Quarterly GST/HST Credit payments are another common source of unclaimed money.
These credits are designed to help lower and modest-income Canadians offset sales taxes, but paper cheques can easily be misplaced.
Canada Child Benefit
Families receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) may also have old payments that were never deposited.
Even one missed payment could represent hundreds of dollars.
Canada Workers Benefit
Eligible workers sometimes receive Canada Workers Benefit payments by cheque instead of direct deposit.
These payments may remain outstanding for years if forgotten.
Ontario Trillium Benefit
Ontario residents may discover unclaimed Ontario Trillium Benefit payments, including energy, property tax, and sales tax credits.
Provincial Benefit Programs
Several provincial and territorial benefits are administered through the CRA, including child benefits, climate action credits, and low-income tax credits.
These payments can also appear as uncashed items.
Business Owners May Also Have Outstanding Payments
Individuals aren’t the only people affected.
Businesses may have outstanding:
- Corporate income tax refunds
- GST/HST remittance refunds
- Payroll overpayment refunds
- Business credit balances
Unlike personal payments, business-related cheques generally cannot be viewed through CRA My Account for individuals and usually require contacting the CRA directly.
How to Check Whether You Have an Uncashed CRA Cheque
Checking for outstanding payments is straightforward.
Step 1: Sign Into CRA My Account
Access your secure CRA My Account using your preferred login method.
Step 2: Open the Uncashed Cheques Section
After signing in, navigate to the Overview page or Accounts and Payments section.
If you have any eligible uncashed payments older than six months, they will appear there.
Step 3: Review Your Outstanding Payments
The portal displays available information about each payment, allowing you to determine whether a replacement should be requested.
The online service only shows eligible personal payments and does not include every payment type.
What If You Don’t Have a CRA My Account?
If you have never registered, creating an account is relatively simple.
You’ll generally need:
- Your Social Insurance Number
- Your date of birth
- Information from a recent tax return
Once your account is verified, you can access tax information, benefit payment details, notices of assessment, and uncashed cheque records.
How to Request a Replacement Cheque
Finding an outstanding payment is only the first step.
If the original cheque has been lost or cannot be deposited, you’ll need to request a replacement.
The CRA requires eligible individuals to complete a personalized undertaking form before reissuing payment.
This process protects taxpayers by ensuring that duplicate payments cannot be fraudulently issued.
Once the completed form has been reviewed, the CRA will cancel the original cheque and issue a replacement.
Direct Deposit Is Usually the Fastest Option
Canadians who have direct deposit registered with the CRA generally receive replacement payments much faster than those waiting for a paper cheque.
Direct deposit also reduces the likelihood of future payments being lost or delayed.
Keeping banking information current is one of the simplest ways to avoid missing future refunds.
Government Cheques Never Expire
One of the most surprising facts is that Government of Canada cheques do not expire.
Unlike many personal or business cheques that become stale after six months, federal government cheques remain valid regardless of how old they are.
Even a cheque issued decades ago may still be eligible for deposit or replacement.
That means Canadians should never assume an old government cheque has lost its value.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Cheques
If a government cheque has been lost, stolen, or damaged, it should not simply be ignored.
Instead, taxpayers can request that the original payment be cancelled and replaced.
If a stolen cheque has already been fraudulently deposited, additional verification may be required before a replacement can be issued.
Reporting the issue promptly helps protect both the taxpayer and the government from potential fraud.
What Happens if the Recipient Has Passed Away?
Outstanding payments don’t automatically disappear when someone dies.
If an uncashed cheque belongs to a deceased individual, the executor or legal representative of the estate may be able to arrange for the funds to be properly reissued according to CRA procedures.
Why July 2026 Is a Good Time to Check
July is an important month for many government benefit programs.
Several federal and provincial benefits are recalculated annually based on the latest tax returns.
Because payment amounts are updated and new benefit cycles begin, it’s an ideal opportunity to ensure your CRA account is accurate and free of outstanding issues.
Checking for forgotten payments now could result in additional funds arriving alongside your regular government benefits.
Common Reasons Canadians Miss Government Payments
There are many situations that lead to forgotten CRA cheques, including:
- Moving to a new home
- Changing banks
- Forgetting to update personal information
- Losing mail during relocation
- Misplacing tax documents
- Overlooking small benefit payments
- Estate administration delays
- Business closures
- Damaged or destroyed cheques
Most of these situations are completely unintentional.
Should You Switch to Direct Deposit?
For most Canadians, enrolling in direct deposit offers significant advantages.
Benefits include:
- Faster payment processing
- Reduced risk of lost mail
- Improved payment security
- Immediate access to refunds
- Automatic deposits for future benefits
The majority of CRA payments are now delivered electronically, making direct deposit the preferred option for both convenience and security.
Final Thoughts
Billions of dollars in legitimate government payments remain unclaimed across Canada, and a portion of that money could belong to you.
Whether it’s an old tax refund, a forgotten GST/HST Credit payment, the Canada Child Benefit, or another provincial benefit, checking your CRA account takes only a few minutes and could uncover money that has been waiting for years.