Seniors across Canada are in for a welcome financial boost this holiday season. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has officially confirmed a $2,200 Christmas Bonus for eligible older adults, set to arrive between December 20 and 24, 2025. With rising prices on everything from food to heating, this one-time benefit is designed to ease winter and holiday expenses for low- and moderate-income seniors.
If you’re receiving government income support like OAS or GIS, there’s a good chance you’ll qualify automatically. Let’s walk through who gets this bonus, when it will be paid, and what steps—if any—you need to take.
Table of Contents
Overview
The $2,200 CRA Christmas Bonus is a non-taxable, one-time payment issued to qualifying seniors to help manage rising costs during the holiday season. With inflation continuing to affect essentials like groceries, medical supplies, and utilities, this bonus offers extra relief when it’s needed most.
The bonus will be deposited automatically for those who qualify, so there’s no application required. Just make sure your banking and tax info is up to date.
Programs
The bonus is tied directly to existing federal senior benefits. If you’re already receiving any of these, you’re on track for the $2,200 payment.
Eligible Federal Support Programs:
- Old Age Security (OAS)
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Allowance for the Survivor
- Allowance (for low-income spouses or common-law partners)
As long as you are currently enrolled in one of these programs, the CRA will review your 2024 income and determine if you qualify for the holiday payment.
Criteria
To get the $2,200, you don’t need to fill out any new forms. But there are a few requirements you still need to meet:
Key Eligibility Conditions:
- You must be a Canadian resident during the eligibility period
- You must have filed your 2024 tax return (this is how CRA verifies income)
- You must meet income thresholds for OAS, GIS, or related programs
- Your banking information must be up to date with the CRA
As long as these boxes are checked, your bonus will be deposited automatically.
Rules
This holiday benefit follows a set of clear rules to ensure consistency and fairness across Canada:
- The $2,200 amount is fixed for all eligible seniors—no variation by age or income bracket
- No application is required—CRA does the assessment for you
- Payments are made via direct deposit unless CRA does not have your banking info
- Residency in Canada is required for most of the year
- Slight deposit delays may occur due to holiday banking congestion
If you’ve moved or changed banks recently, update your MyCRA or My Service Canada account to avoid any hiccups.
Schedule
The CRA has confirmed that most deposits will be issued between December 20 and 24, 2025. This timing is meant to provide seniors with access to extra funds before Christmas Day.
CRA $2,200 Christmas Bonus Schedule:
| Payment Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bonus Amount | $2,200 (non-taxable) |
| Deposit Dates | December 20–24, 2025 |
| Eligibility Review | Based on 2024 tax return |
| Application Needed? | No |
| Payment Method | Direct deposit (preferred) |
| CRA Programs Involved | OAS, GIS, Allowance programs |
If you qualify, you don’t need to do anything—just keep your eyes on your bank account during that week.
Benefits
So how does this help seniors?
For many, December is the most expensive month of the year. You’ve got higher utility bills, extra medical needs, transportation costs, and the added pressure of holiday spending. This $2,200 bonus helps ease that burden, especially for seniors living on fixed incomes.
Real-life uses include:
- Paying for heating and utilities
- Stocking up on groceries and winter essentials
- Covering medical supplies or prescriptions
- Helping with holiday travel or visits from family
- Providing some much-needed holiday cheer
This benefit goes a long way toward making the season more affordable and less stressful.
Tips
To make sure you receive the payment without delays, do the following:
- File your 2024 taxes on time—this is how CRA verifies your income
- Update your banking details in MyCRA if anything has changed
- Check your Service Canada account to ensure you’re enrolled in OAS or GIS
- Watch for notifications from CRA if further verification is needed
The process is automatic, but if your records aren’t current, you might miss out or face delays.
FAQs
When will the $2,200 CRA bonus be paid?
Between December 20 and 24, 2025.
Do I need to apply for the Christmas bonus?
No, it will be paid automatically if you qualify.
Who is eligible for the CRA holiday payment?
Seniors receiving OAS, GIS, or Allowance benefits.
Will the payment be taxed?
No, the $2,200 bonus is tax-free.
What if my banking info is outdated?
Update it in MyCRA to avoid payment delays.
