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$500 Electricity Bill Rebate Approved in Canada – Check If You’re Eligible and When You’ll Get It

Despite widespread headlines, Canada has not approved a $500 electricity bill rebate. Instead, eligible residents may receive a $250 one-time relief payment and quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate payments of up to $1,344 per year. The final CCR payment was issued April 22, 2025. To qualify, file your 2024 tax return, live in a carbon-pricing province, and use CRA My Account for direct deposit.

by Saloni Uniyal

Published On: July 29, 2025

$500 Electricity Bill Rebate Approved in Canada — that phrase has been making the rounds online, grabbing attention left and right. But here’s the straight talk: there’s no such nationwide $500 electricity rebate officially approved in Canada. What does exist are credible programs like the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) and a one-time $250 relief payment that offer meaningful financial support.

$500 Electricity Bill Rebate Approved in Canada

While Canada did not approve a $500 electricity rebate, there are legitimate financial relief programs you can benefit from — if you know where to look. The Canada Carbon Rebate and the $250 one-time relief payment offer hundreds of dollars in tax-free support to qualifying Canadians. The key? File your taxes, sign up for direct deposit, and stay updated via official government channels.

What’s Actually Happening – The Real Programs

Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) – No $500, but Still Real Support

The Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) is a quarterly, tax-free benefit paid to eligible households in provinces where the federal carbon pricing applies.

Annual maximum: C$1,344 per family of four in 2025 (with rural supplement).
Applies to Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland & Labrador.
Final CCR payment was issued starting April 22, 2025, since the consumer carbon tax was eliminated April 1, 2025.

Visit the CRA’s CCR page for official details.

One-Time $250 Federal Relief Payment

In November 2024, the Canadian government passed legislation providing a $250 one-time cost-of-living payment to around 18.7 million eligible Canadians. This was not tied to electricity bills and was issued in early 2025.

Step-by-Step Guide – Checking Your Eligibility & Getting Paid

Step 1 – File Your 2024 Income Tax Return

To qualify for the CCR or any related benefit, you must file your 2024 tax return — even if you had no income. CRA recommends filing electronically by April 2, 2025.

Step 2 – Confirm Your Province

You must reside in a province where the federal fuel charge applies. That includes Alberta, Ontario, and others listed above. If you’re in BC or Quebec, different systems apply.

Step 3 – Set Up Direct Deposit

Use your CRA My Account to link a bank account. Direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to receive payments.

Step 4 – Know the Rural Supplement

Households in eligible rural communities receive an additional 20% on top of the standard CCR. You can verify your postal code eligibility on the Canada.ca rural supplement page.

Step 5 – Track Your Payments

Final CCR payment: April 22, 2025.
No more CCR after that, due to policy change.
One-time $250 payment: delivered to eligible recipients in early 2025.

Why Some Thought There Was a $500 Rebate

Here’s what likely caused the confusion:

Some families received quarterly CCR payments totaling close to $500 per quarter (especially with the rural supplement).
The one-time $250 payment may have been mistaken as a partial or pending $500.

While the numbers are real, there is no official program labeled a $500 electricity rebate.

FAQs

Is there a $500 electricity rebate in Canada?

No. There is no approved federal $500 rebate strictly for electricity bills. However, you may qualify for quarterly carbon rebates or other provincial support.