Cancelling CCB/UCB benefit payments

[CAMama3 1]

I haven't checked our Canadian bank accounts for a while and today I did because I got a letter in the mail about CCB and UCB (child benefit payments). I was pretty confused since I shouldn't be getting these anymore (including some lump sum backpay from the new system?), so I checked our accounts and they are still getting put in. I had told them we left already, so I am utterly confused. I will call again on Monday, but wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this. Will I just have to cut them a cheque for the total?

BTW, I'm the USC and a Canadian permanent resident. Husband is Canadian and because we are married, I maintain my Canadian permanent residency. Not sure if any of that makes a difference.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I had the same problem. What I was told to do was just to do an online bill payment to them. Faster and safer than a cheque

[CAMama3 1]

Phew, sounds easy enough. Thanks for the quick reply!

[NikLR 13,227]

There are two numbers to call directly to make sure you do not have them deposit anymore. Without those phone calls you will get the money and then when you file your exit taxes, they will want it all back! Don't spend a dime! If you have a CRA account then you can make sure you do not get direct deposits.

[CAMama3 1]

Two numbers? I think I just called the child benefit line before. (Honestly, it's a blur now) That's who I was going to call on Monday. Is the other one the non-resident line or the overpayment line?

[NikLR 13,227]

No there is a number for CCTB and a number for GST cheques (and probably a separate number for UCB).

So you have to make sure you cancel any GST cheques too.

I continued to get the GST cheques and had to pay back all the money. I kept it in a Canadian account (they mailed me the cheques... I had to mail them to my bank... ARGH!)

When I tried mailing them back to them, with a note saying I was no longer in Canada and couldn't receive them, they sent me a new cheque. How daft can ya get?

[CAMama3 1]

No there is a number for CCTB and a number for GST cheques (and probably a separate number for UCB).

So you have to make sure you cancel any GST cheques too.

I continued to get the GST cheques and had to pay back all the money. I kept it in a Canadian account (they mailed me the cheques... I had to mail them to my bank... ARGH!)

When I tried mailing them back to them, with a note saying I was no longer in Canada and couldn't receive them, they sent me a new cheque. How daft can ya get?

Bah. What a gong show!

I just read some other threads about others having trouble stopping payments too, so I'll be sure to keep tabs on it now.

Thanks for the info! Found all the numbers to call. Didn't call GST/HST the first time...

[NikLR 13,227]

Yay! Can you list them here? We might be able to add them to a stickied topic.

[CAMama3 1]

Of course!

CCTB and UCCB: 1-800-387-1193

GST/HST: 1-800-959-1953

I haven't called them yet... was waiting for at least one of my children to nap... and now the phone isn't charged! I will report back once I do.

[NikLR 13,227]

Thanks so much!

[CAMama3 1]

I called CCTB/UCCB today and they said it did show up that we were out of the country, but it didn't update in their system until July 2.... oooookay. Anyway, I was then transferred to the international line. He said that it showed our address change from back in February and didn't know why we kept getting paid. He asked when we moved exactly and I assume inputted that somewhere. He said they will mail me a form with instructions about how to pay back the money and that I should no longer be receiving payments. He said I didn't have to call GST/HST and it was all taken care of. Hopefully that is the end of that!