Frequently Asked Questions
Payments from the Government of Canada
Payments to the Government of Canada
Questions from Financial Institutions
It is recommended that financial institutions refer to the Canadian Payments Association G Rules for information on handling Government of Canada payments.
Questions from Businesses
Questions from Recipients of Foreign Payments
Other
Payments from the Government of Canada
Q. I have moved and want to make sure I receive my Government of Canada cheque at my new address. How do I inform the federal government of the new address?
A. Please get in touch with the department responsible for the payment. If you receive more than one federal payment by cheque, please be sure to change your address for each.
Examples
To find out how to contact other federal departments or agencies, go to the Canada Site at http://canada.gc.ca/main_e.html or call 1-800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).
Q. How do I enroll for direct deposit?
A. Please contact the department responsible for the payment or, for general direct deposit information, call 1-800-593-1666. If you want to have more than one federal payment made by direct deposit, please get in touch with the department responsible for each.
Q. I receive my payment by direct deposit and plan to change my bank account. How do I make sure the payment will be deposited to my new account?
A. Please contact the department responsible for the payment. It is recommended that you not close your old account until the payment has been deposited to your new one. If you receive more than one federal payment by direct deposit, please get in touch with the department responsible for each.
Q. What do I do if my Government of Canada cheque is lost, destroyed or stolen, or if my direct deposit was not made?
A. Please contact the department responsible for the payment. There may be legal forms you will have to complete.
Q. Where can I, as a former federal public servant, get information about my superannuation pension?
A. The superannuation program is administered by the Superannuation Directorate of Public Works and Government Services Canada in Shediac, New Brunswick. Please go to the Superannuation Website at http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/superannuation/, or call 1-800-561-7930 (within Canada and the continental USA) or 1-506-533-5800 (from outside Canada or the continental USA - collect calls are accepted).
Q. I received a cheque from the Government of Canada, but don't know what it's for. How do I find out?
A. Normally, the department responsible for the payment is identified on the cheque stub. Often, there is also a phone number to call if you have questions. If there is no stub, please contact the Payment Products and Services Directorate, of Public Works and Government Services Canada, at (819) 956-1455, or by e-mailing the Receiver General for Canada.
Q. Can I cash a Government of Canada cheque that is dated more than six months ago?
A. Receiver General cheques are never stale dated, meaning you can cash them no matter how old they are. The financial institution (bank, credit union, trust company, caisse populaire) in Canada has the right, however, to validate the cheque by faxing a copy to the Cheque Redemption and Control Directorate in Matane, Quebec.
Q. Do I have to pay a fee to cash a Government of Canada cheque at a financial institution (bank, credit union, trust company, caisse populaire) in Canada?
A. No. By law, a financial institution (bank, credit union, trust company, caisse populaire) in Canada cannot charge a fee for cashing a Government of Canada cheque.
Q. I am the executor of a deceased relative's estate, and a payment for the deceased was recently received from a federal department. What do I do with the cheque, or with the money deposited directly in the deceased's account? Does it have to be repaid?
A. In most cases, money received during the month of death has to be repaid, but there are some exceptions. Please contact the responsible department for details. If more than one federal payment was received, please get in touch with the department responsible for each.
Q. I am the executor of a deceased relative's estate, and I want to make sure the government stops making payments to the deceased. How do I do that?
A. Please contact the responsible department for details on how to stop the payments. If the deceased was receiving more than one federal payment, please get in touch with the department responsible for each.
Payments to the Government of Canada
Q. How do I pay money I owe to the Government of Canada?
A. All departments accept payment by cheque. Make it payable to the Receiver
General for Canada and send it to the department to which the money is owed.
Many departments also accept payment by credit of debit card, while others allow
payment by telebanking, personal computer banking, money order or travellers
cheque. To determine which options are available to you, please get in touch
with the appropriate department.
Q. I have received an invoice asking me to make a payment to the Receiver General, but I don't know what it's for. How do I find out?
A. The invoice was sent to you by a specific department, not by the Receiver General. The name of the department should be indicated on the invoice or envelope, so you should contact that department to discuss the invoice.
Q. I am the executor of a deceased relative's estate, and I recently received an invoice from the Government of Canada in the deceased's name. Does the estate have to pay it?
A. Yes, the estate has to pay. Please contact the responsible department for information on how to make the payment.
Questions from Financial Institutions
It is recommended that financial institutions refer to the Canadian Payments Association G Rules for information on handling Government of Canada payments.
Q. I work in a financial institution and have been presented with a Government of Canada cheque that is dated more than six months ago. Is it stale-dated?
A. Receiver General cheques are never stale dated, as stated in Canadian Payments Association Rule G2, General Rules Pertaining to Government of Canada Paper Instruments.
Q. I work in a financial institution, and have a Government of Canada cheque presented to me for cashing. How do I know if it is valid?
A. First, look for the two most prominent security features, the watermark and the fibres.
You should then refer to Canadian Payments Association Rule G7, Verification and Collection Procedures for Receiver General Warrants.
Q. I work in a financial institution and I have been presented a Government of Canada cheque dated after May 1, 2000, printed on the old design. Should I accept it?
A. Receiver General cheques are never stale dated, as stated in Canadian Payments Association Rule G2, General Rules Pertaining to Government of Canada Paper Instruments.
As for the design of the cheque, all federal government cheques dated May 1, 2000, and after, with the exception of Employment Insurance (EI) warrants issued by Human Resources Development Canada, are printed on the new design. All EI warrants dated March 21, 2001, and after are of the new design.
For tips on how to validate a Government of Canada cheque or warrant, look for the two most prominent security features, the watermark and the fibres. You should then refer to Canadian Payments Association Rule G7, Verification and Collection Procedures for Receiver General Warrants.
Q. I work in a financial institution, and we lost an encashed Government of Canada cheque en route to our data centre. How do we make a claim for settlement?
A. The procedures to claim settlement for a lost cheque are explained in Canadian Payments Association Rule G3, Rules Pertaining to the Redemption and Settlement of Government of Canada Paper Instruments.
Questions from Businesses
Q. I am a merchant who has been presented a Government of Canada cheque for cashing. How do I know if the cheque is valid?
A. For tips on how to recognize a valid cheque, please consult the article
entitled, "Message to Businesses - Security Features on
Government of Canada Cheques".
Q. I am a merchant who has lost a Government of Canada cheque I cashed for a customer. How do I recover the amount from the Receiver General?
A. You must first determine which department issued the cheque, then contact it to explain the situation. You will be asked to provide information to help identify the cheque. The department will then send you the form to complete so you can request reimbursement.
Q. My company recently did some work for a federal department and we haven't been paid yet. How do I find out when we will be paid?
A. It is recommended that you first contact the office where you submitted your invoice for the product or service you provided. Payment is normally made within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. If needed, you could also contact the official responsible for the project or contract, who should follow up on your behalf. To reach the right department, please refer to your contract, or consult the Canada Site at http://canada.gc.ca/main_e.html or call 1-800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).
Q. What legal procedures are involved in processing an Assignment of Crown Debt?
A. Please contact the Payment Standards Division of Public Works and Government Services Canada, at (819) 956-2885, for information on how to process an Assignment of Crown Debt. You may also send an e-mail to the Receiver General for Canada.
Questions from Recipients of Foreign Payments
Q. Why has the Government of Canada awarded a contract to the Bank of America® for foreign banking services?
A. Through a competitive process, the Bank of America® was awarded a contract to manage the Government of Canada's foreign banking requirements.
Q. What kinds of payments will the Bank of America® make on behalf of the Government of Canada?
A. The contract includes provisions for all Government of Canada payments to recipients outside of Canada. These payments include, for example, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Public Service Superannuation, GST Visitor Rebates and Accounts Payable.
Q. What are the benefits to recipients?
A. Recipients should see some improvement in service. Their cheques will be in the currency of the country where they live, so they should get a better exchange rate. They may see lower fees for cashing cheques.
Q. What are the benefits to the Government of Canada?
A. The Government of Canada can take advantage of the Bank of America® 's international banking network and expertise to provide recipients with better service at a lower cost.
Q. Will my cheque look different now that the Bank of America® is issuing payments?
A. The cheques will continue to display the Canada wordmark and logo on the top portion. The remainder of the cheque will be designed and signed by a Bank of America® official.
Q. Can I continue to have my benefits issued in Canadian currency?
A. No. Overwhelmingly, Canadians living abroad have asked the Government of Canada to provide cheques in the local currency of their country of residence. The benefits of this option include lower administrative fees and better rates of exchange. You may still receive your payment in Canadian currency if you direct it to a Canadian location.
Q. Receiving my benefits in local currency is not the best for me. Can I have my benefits issued in US dollars?
A. No. Overwhelmingly, Canadians living abroad have asked the Government of Canada to provide cheques in the local currency of their country of residence. The benefits of this option include lower administrative fees and better rates of exchange.
Q. When can I have my benefits deposited directly to my bank account?
A. Currently direct deposit is available for most program payments if you are living in the United States. To determine if direct deposit is available for the program for which you are receiving benefits you may call the department that issues your cheque. The numbers are as follows:
- War Veterans Allowance (WVA)
Inquiries Ontario Regional Office-Benefit Administration Collect calls will be accepted at 1-705-567-9571 ext. 4371
If you are living outside of United States, direct deposit is not yet available. However, you will be informed when this option will be available.
If you receive non-recurring payments (for example, accounts payable), direct deposit is not available.
Q. Will there be any change to the date of delivery of my monthly benefit now that Bank of America® is issuing my cheque?
A. No. The Government of Canada and the Bank of America® are working together to ensure that socio-economic payments continue to be delivered in the same timeframe that you are currently receiving your cheque.
Q. Should I expect additional banking fees because Bank of America® will be issuing my cheque?
A. No. As a result of this contract, you should benefit from a better exchange rate and may see a reduction in banking fees.
Q. I am getting a good exchange rate when I cash my cheque now. What will the exchange rate be when the Bank of America® converts my cheque to local currency?
A. Exchange rates fluctuate over time, so it is impossible to pre-determine the rate. However, the Bank of America® will be able to offer a competitive rate.
Q. Will I continue to receive payment information on my cheque stub now that the Bank of America® is issuing the cheques?
A. Yes, you will continue to receive the same stub information as you are currently receiving.
Q. Why does the amount on the cheque stub differ from the actual cheque amount?
A. Where the cheque has been requisitioned in Canadian currency and converted to local currency the amount on the cheque stub reflects the Canadian dollar value of the payment before it was converted to local currency.
Q. You told me that effective January, 2004, I would be receiving my benefits from Bank of America® and in local currency. However, I am still receiving a Canadian government cheque. When will I start receiving a Bank of America® cheque and the benefits you described?
A. Please contact the department that issues your cheque to rectify the situation.
- War Veterans Allowance (WVA)
Inquiries Ontario Regional Office-Benefit Administration Collect calls will be accepted at 1-705-567-9571 ext. 4371
Other
Q. Where can I read the Public Accounts of Canada?
A. The Public Accounts of Canada are normally tabled in the House of Commons each fall. Copies are available in most libraries, or you can read them at http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/recgen/text/pub-acc-e.html.
Q. What is the rate of interest the Government of Canada pays on late payments?
A. The Payment on Due Date rate is based on the average Bank of Canada discount rate for the previous month plus 3 percent. Complete information is available at http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/recgen/text/podd-e.html.
Q. How do I find out if I have money in dormant bank accounts?
A. If your account has been inactive for less than ten years, contact your
financial institution. When there has been no owner activity in relation to
the balance for more than 10 years, and the owner cannot be contacted by the
institution holding it, the balance is turned over to the Bank of Canada, which
acts as custodian on behalf of the owner. You can search for an unclaimed balance
by using the search form from the Bank of Canada at the following URL: http://ucbswww.bank-banque-canada.ca/scripts/search_english.cfm.
If you haven't found the information you need, you can contact the Receiver General for Canada by e-mail(ncr.rgenquire@pwgsc.gc.ca) or by regular mail at:
Place du Portage
Phase III Core 15A2
11 Laurier Street, Hull, QC
K1A 0S5
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