The federal and provincial governments have intensified their efforts to provide targeted financial relief to low-income renters as housing costs continue to rise across Canada. The Canada Housing Benefit (CHB), a vital program giving direct financial aid to eligible Canadians, is one such effort.
This is now the best time to discover the eligibility requirements and how to apply for the one-time top-up benefit of $500 which will be available in April 2025.
So here’s what you should know in order not to lose any of this funding.
Waiting for rental support in 2025? Several provinces continue providing monthly housing assistance into 2025 with the $500 one-time Canada Housing Benefit having ended in 2023.
Get Your $500 Canada Housing Benefit:
It has been a lifesaver for many low-income renters across Canada. Knowing whether you qualify for this benefit and how to apply for it is more crucial than ever in 2025, as housing costs continue to rise. This exhaustive step-by-step guide describes who qualifies, how to apply, and what programs are currently running under the larger Canada Housing Benefit umbrella.
Effectively, what is the $500 Canada Housing Benefit?
The federal government and the provinces and territories have come together to promote the Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) for low-income renters having difficulty paying for housing. It reinstated a one-time top-up of $500 on eligible households in April 2025 on account of inflation and the housing affordability crisis.
This payment without taxes is meant to support rent-burdened people-who-are, thus more than thirty percent of their income goes for rent-by augmenting already available housing support programs.
Who is Eligible to Claim the $500 for the Canada Housing Benefit in April 2025?
To qualify for the $500 top-up in April 2025, the applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement
Minimum age should be 15 years as of December 01, 2024. - Residency
The applicant should have stayed in Canada as a resident for purposes of income tax during the year 2024. - Rent Paid
The applicant would also have to have made payments for rents in excess of 30 percent of adjusted net income for the calendar year 2024. - Income Limits
An individual should have earned at most $35,000 in the year 2024. - For families or couples, the combined income of a family should be $55,000 or less.
- Lease of Residence
A written tenancy agreement/lease must exist and corresponding rents should be paid for the principal residence in Canada. - Tax Filing Requirement
For eligibility, the applicant and their spouse/common law partner (if applicable) must have filed tax returns for the year 2024.
How to apply for the $500 Canadian Housing Benefit in April 2025
It’s a simple process; you can either do it online or over the phone.
1. Online Application
- To apply, use the CRA My Account portal. Here’s how:
- Log in to your CRA My Account: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency
- Select the Apply for Canada Housing Benefit option.
- Provide all the necessary information including
- Your income in 2024
- Total rent paid in 2024
- Landlord name and contact information; and
- address related to renting.
- You will also have to confirm that your rent exceeds 30% of your income for 2024.
2. Phone application
If you do not have online access, call CRA directly at 1-800-282-8079. Agents will be available to assist you with the application procedure.
How Long Does It Take in Canadian Dollars to Get the Payment ?
for Transferring to Your Account?
- your application be approved, within a range of five to ten working days,
- a check or direct deposit will be made to you.
- For a faster payment process, ensure that the direct deposit information in your CRA profile is up-to-date.
Will the $500 CHB Payment Affect Your Tax Obligations?
No, this $500 CHB payment is not taxable. Your receipt of it will not, in any way, affect your eligibility for other benefits like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST/HST credit, or any provincial/territorial social assistance.
Even if you already get other assistance with housing, you can still apply. That is so. The top-up of $500 CHB is in addition to the various provincial rent assistance schemes or support to access affordable housing.
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What Would Happen If You and Others Rent a House Together?
If you live along with family or roommates, only your share of the rent paid can be claimed by you. The amount contributed personally by you to the total rent has to be specified in your request. Each individual can apply directly if eligible to do so.
Application Duration
The application session for the $500 payment is expected to be opened for three to four months, starting from April 2025. Apply as early as possible to avoid delays and for timely payment of the application.
Some documents will be requested.
- Most of the application relies on self-attestation, but supporting documents may include:
- A rental agreement or lease
- rent receipts
- any evidence of rent payment-viz: bank statements or electronic transfers
- Keep those documents, in case yours gets chosen for post-payment verification.
Importance of the said benefit-
The $500 housing subsidy comes at a time when inflation is at its peak and has made almost anything-and-basic housing-needs out-of-reach for low-income renters. To many, and perhaps in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, the difference could mean paying rent or falling behind.
In these provinces, like localized housing authorities, similar housing assistance programs exist:
- The Alberta Rent Supplement Programs (read on)
- Rent Assist in Manitoba (details here)
- Saskatchewan: Supplementary Rental Housing (program website)
- Every province has its own standards based on household size, rent, and income.
conclusion
In case you have difficulty paying your rent and satisfy all qualifying and income requirements do not miss the chance to receive a $500 payment under the Canada Housing Benefit in April 2025. This is an aid that could provide some easy breathing room in your monthly budget and is targeted as well as tax-free.
So keep the application ready for submission as soon as the portal opens, stay informed, and don’t forget to keep your CRA account updated. Every penny adds up; this one could do wonders.
