The Government of Canada has a one-time top-up rent support for low-income families and individuals.

The one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit program consists of a tax-free payment of $500 to provide direct support to low-income renters—those most exposed to inflation—who are experiencing housing affordability challenges.

The federal benefit is available to renters with adjusted net incomes below $35,000 for families, or $20,000 for individuals. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would deliver the money through an attestation-based application process.

To check if you are eligible for this one-time payment, check these criteria.

In order to determine eligibility, the CRA will verify the applicant’s income, age, and residency for tax purposes.

Co-op members may apply. Non-profit housing co-operatives act are considered as ‘the landlord’; as members of a co-op are unable to purchase this property, CRA considers their housing charges are to be ‘rent’. (According to the CRA website, an eligible rent is “payments you made in 2022 under a lease, licence or similar arrangement to occupy a principal residence in Canada in 2022”.)

You can submit an application between December 12, 2022 and March 31, 2023.