Appendix F. RESP provider user guide – Understanding refusal reasons

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

Disclaimer: RESP promoters

The information contained on this page is technical in nature. It is intended for Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and Canada Education Savings Program promoters. For general information, visit the RESP section.

On this page

Alternate format

A PDF version of the Registered Education Savings Plan provider user guide is available on the index page.

List of acronyms

BCTESG
British Columbia Training and Education Savings Grant
CESG
Canada Education Savings Grant
CESP
Canada Education Savings Program
CLB
Canada Learning Bond
CRA
Canada Revenue Agency
ESDC
Employment and Social Development Canada
ITS
Interface Transaction Standards
PCG
Primary caregiver
RESP
Registered Education Savings Plan
RT
Record type
RR
Refusal reasons
SAGES
Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings
SIN
Social Insurance Number
SIR
Social Insurance Registry

Introduction

The Canada Education Savings Program (CESP) is part of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The CESP is responsible for administering the following education savings incentives available to eligible beneficiaries of Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs):

  • amount of Canada Education Savings Grant (Basic CESG)
  • additional amount of Canada Education Savings Grant (Additional CESG)
  • Canada Learning Bond (CLB)
  • Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings (SAGES)
  • British Columbia Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG)

This appendix explains the refusal reasons (RR) received in response to financial requests for these education savings incentives.

For more information, refer to Appendix C for a list of acronyms and terms used in this guide.

F.1. Background information

This appendix provides information to assist RESP providers understand refusal reasons. For additional technical information, consult the Interface Transaction Standards (ITS) on the Canada.ca/RESPresources webpage under the Systems documentation tab.

F.1.1. What is a refusal reason

Refusal reasons indicate why transactions requesting grant or bond, which met all formatting rules, did not receive full grant or bond payment. Each refusal reason has a corresponding single-character code.

F.1.2. How are refusal reasons reported to promoters

The CESP system reports refusal reasons in the following 3 locations of the record types (RT) 900, 910 and 911:

  1. transaction position 67 for Basic CESG and CLB
  2. transaction position 174 for Additional CESG transactions
  3. transaction position 45 for SAGES and BCTESG transactions

F.1.3. How does a refusal reason differ from an error code

In some instances, the CESP system may reject some transactions sent by promoters. This will happen when the CESP system cannot process an RESP transaction, due to an error in the transaction information. In these cases, the promoter will receive a corresponding RT 800 transaction with an error code. This error code will indicate why the CESP system did not process the transaction. Promoters must investigate error codes and resubmit new transactions with the corrected information.

Transactions successfully processed by the CESP system will not generate error codes. However, a processed transaction can receive a refusal reason in the RT 900, RT 910 or RT 911 transactions. This would happen if the CESP does not pay the full amount of grant or bond for a transaction.

F.1.4. Using this appendix

Each incentive has its own set of refusal reasons. This appendix lists the following information for each incentive:

  • refusal reason code
  • ITS description for each refusal reason
  • a detailed explanation for each refusal reason
  • how to resolve or better understand what caused the refusal

Contact the CESP if the information provided in this appendix does not answer your questions about specific refusal reasons.

F.1.5. Transaction records

The following transaction records are referenced in this appendix for each incentive:

  • refusal reasons: recorded in the RT 900, RT 910 and RT 911. Promoters will find those refusal reasons in the transaction processing report (.pro). The CESP system returns them to the promoter at the end of each reporting period
  • Basic CESG: CESG request submitted by promoter through an RT 400-11 transaction record. Promoters will find the refusal reasons at position 67 of the RT 900 in the .pro file
  • Additional CESG: Additional CESG requests submitted by promoters along with the Basic CESG request through an RT 400-11 transaction. In addition, the promoter must provide the following information in regards to the PCG/spouse to request the Additional CESG:
    • social insurance number (SIN)
    • surname
    • given name
    • type of PCG/spouse

Promoters will find the refusal reasons at position 174 of the RT 900 in the .pro file.

  • CLB: Canada Learning Bond request submitted by promoter through a RT 400-24 transaction record. Promoters will find the refusal reasons at position 67 of the RT 900 in the .pro file
  • SAGES: Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings request submitted by promoter through an RT 410-30 transaction record. Promoters will find the refusal reasons at position 45 of the RT 910 in the .pro file
  • BCTESG: British Columbia Training and Education Savings Grant request submitted by promoter through an RT 411-40 transaction record. Promoters will find the refusal reasons at position 45 of the RT 911 in the .pro file

F.2. Refusal reason 1 – Annual limit exceeded

1 – Annual limit exceeded

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • CLB
  • SAGES

F.2.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason 1: The CESP system has paid out the Basic CESG room available to the beneficiary for the calendar year that the contribution falls into.

Resolution: None required. Each beneficiary is entitled to $500 of Basic CESG annually ($1,000 if there was carry forward). This error code means that they have received the maximum amount of Basic CESG for the year.

F.2.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason 1: The CESP system refuses a contribution requesting Additional CESG for 1 of the following reasons:

  • the individual PCG reported on the contribution has a high income level as per the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Therefore, the CESP system cannot pay Additional CESG to the beneficiary
  • the individual PCG reported on the contribution has either a mid (10%) or low range (20%) income level. In addition, the beneficiary has received all the Additional CESG for that year based on the income level

Resolution: None required as the CESP system paid all the Additional CESG available to the beneficiary for the year.

F.2.3. CLB

Refusal reason 1: The beneficiary has already received the CLB payment for the benefit year.

Resolution: None required as the beneficiary has already received their CLB payment for the benefit year the request falls into.

F.2.4. SAGES

Refusal reason 1: The CESP system paid the maximum SAGES amount to the beneficiary for the calendar year that the contribution falls into. This includes any carry forward room.

Resolution: The SAGES annual entitlement for each beneficiary is $250 ($500 if there was carry forward). Should you feel the beneficiary has not received the maximum amount of SAGES for the year, contact CESP.

F.3. Refusal reason 2 – Lifetime contribution limit exceeded

2 – Lifetime contribution limit exceeded

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • SAGES

F.3.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason 2: The total amount of contributions for a beneficiary has reached or exceeded the $50,000 contribution limit. The CESP system will not pay grant on any subsequent contributions a subscriber makes after reaching this limit.

Resolution: The promoter should verify that the total contribution amounts submitted for the beneficiary does not exceed $50,000. He also needs to ensure that he did not report incorrectly any contribution amounts. If there is a discrepancy in the contribution amounts, reverse the incorrect contribution and resubmit the correct contribution. If all contribution amounts are correct then contact CESP for more information.

F.3.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason 2: The total amount of contributions for a beneficiary has reached or exceeded the $50,000 contribution limit or greater. Once the beneficiary has reached that limit, the CESP system will refuse to pay Additional CESG on any subsequent contributions made after.

Resolution: The promoter should verify that the total contribution amounts submitted for the beneficiary does not exceed $50,000. He also needs to ensure that they reported accurately all contribution amounts. If there is a discrepancy in the contribution amounts, reverse the incorrect contribution and resubmit the correct contribution. If all contribution amounts are correct then contact CESP for more information.

F.3.3. SAGES

Refusal reason 2: The total amount of contributions for a beneficiary has reached or exceeded the $50,000 contribution limit. The CESP system will not pay SAGES on any subsequent contributions a subscriber makes after reaching this limit.

Resolution: The promoter should verify that the total contribution amounts submitted for the beneficiary does not exceed $50,000. He also need to ensure that he did not report incorrectly any contribution amounts. If there is a discrepancy in the contribution amounts, reverse the incorrect contribution (RT 400-11) and resubmit the correct contribution (RT 400-11). If all contribution amounts are correct then contact CESP for more information.

F.4. Refusal reason 3 – Age of beneficiary

3 – Age of beneficiary

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • CLB
  • SAGES
  • BCTESG

If there is a discrepancy in the age/birth date of the beneficiary generating this refusal reason, contact CESP.

F.4.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason 3: The transaction date of the contribution is later than December 31st in the year that the beneficiary turned 17.

Resolution: None required. The beneficiary can only receive grant up until the end of the year in which they turn 17.

F.4.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason 3: The transaction date of the contribution is later than December 31st in the year that the beneficiary turned 17.

Resolution: None required. The beneficiary can only receive grant up until the end of the year in which they turn 17.

F.4.3. CLB

Refusal reason 3: The CESP system is assessing an active CLB request for a payment for a new benefit year. In addition, there was an update to the beneficiary’s birth and it is now before January 1, 2004.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber to verify the beneficiary’s birth date.

F.4.4. SAGES

Refusal reason 3: The transaction date of the contribution is later than December 31st in the year that the beneficiary turned 17.

Resolution: The promoter should verify the age of the beneficiary and the accuracy of the transaction date.

F.4.5. BCTESG

Refusal reason 3: The transaction date for the BCTESG request (RT 411-40) does not fall into any of the following ranges:

  • child born in 2006: the transaction date of the BCTESG request must be between August 15, 2016 and August 14, 2019
  • child born in 2007 or 2008: the transaction date of the BCTESG request must be between August 15, 2015 and August 14, 2018
  • child born in 2009: the transaction date of the BCTESG request must be between these 2 dates:
    • August 15, 2015 or the day the beneficiary turns 6 (whichever is later), and
    • August 14, 2018 or the day before the beneficiary turns 9 in 2018 (whichever is later)
  • child born in 2010 or later: the transaction date of the BCTESG request must be between the child’s 6th birthday and the day before the child’s 9th birthday

Resolution: Verify the transaction date of the request and the age of the beneficiary.

F.5. Refusal reason 4 – PCG, spouse or beneficiary information not matched with CRA information

4 – PCG, spouse or beneficiary information not matched with CRA information

Incentives:

  • Additional CESG
  • CLB

F.5.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason 4: The PCG, spouse and/or beneficiary information submitted does not match with the corresponding information at the CRA on the contribution.

Note: The CESP system sends fields to the CRA for matching. Those fields are:

  • SIN
  • given name
  • surname of the individual PCG/spouse
  • beneficiary given name
  • surname, and
  • date of birth

Resolution: Contact the subscriber to request that the PCG call the CRA. They should confirm all relevant information is up to date and that it is the same information provided to the promoter. Once the subscriber has confirmed the CRA information is up to date, submit a correct PCG/spouse information transaction for the financial transaction that the CESP system has refused. If the promoter has not implemented the PCG/spouse information transaction, you can also reverse and resubmit the original transaction.

Note: At the end of each month, the CESP sends an excel report to each promoter. This report shows the fields that did not match with the CRA that caused this refusal reason.

F.5.2. CLB

Refusal reason 4: The PCG, spouse and/or beneficiary information submitted does not match with the corresponding information at the CRA on the CLB request.

Note: The CESP system sends fields to the CRA for matching. Those fields are:

  • SIN
  • given name
  • surname of the individual PCG/spouse
  • beneficiary given name
  • surname, and
  • date of birth

This applies to all CLB beneficiaries, children and adult.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber to request that the PCG call the CRA. They should confirm all relevant information is up to date and that it is the same information provided to the promoter. Once the subscriber has confirmed the CRA information is accurate, resubmit the CLB request with the correct PCG/spouse information.

F.6. Refusal reason 5 – Specimen plan not eligible

5 – Specimen plan not eligible

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • CLB
  • SAGES
  • BCTESG

Contact the CRA to determine the status of your specimen plan. If there are other concerns or discrepancies in the specimen plan eligibility information, contact CESP.

F.6.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason 5: The specimen plan named on the contribution is not eligible to receive grant.

Resolution: Contact the CRA to determine the status of this specimen plan.

F.6.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason 5: The specimen plan named on the contribution is not eligible to receive grant.

Resolution: Contact the CRA to determine the status of this specimen plan.

F.6.3. CLB

Refusal reason 5: The CESP system is assessing an active CLB request for a payment. However, the specimen plan named on the request is no longer eligible to receive CLB.

Resolution: Contact the CRA to determine the status of this specimen plan.

F.6.4. SAGES

Refusal reason 5: The specimen plan named on the request is not eligible to receive SAGES.

Resolution: Contact the CRA to determine the status of specimen plan and resubmit the request if required.

F.6.5. BCTESG

Refusal reason 5: The specimen plan named on the request is not eligible to receive BCTESG.

Resolution: Contact the CRA to determine the status of specimen plan and resubmit the request if required.

F.7. Refusal reason 6 – Transaction requested no grant

6 – Transaction requested no grant

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • CLB

If there are any concerns or discrepancies in the information submitted, contact CESP.

F.7.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason 6: The grant requested flag is set to “No” for a contribution.

Resolution: Verify if the promoter should have made a request for the grant. If yes, reverse the contribution and resubmit the contribution with the grant requested flag set to “Yes”.

F.7.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason 6: The promoter did not provide the 4 PCG/spouse information fields for a contribution requesting Additional CESG.

Resolution: Verify if the promoter should have made a request for the Additional CESG on the contribution. If yes, you could add the missing PCG/spouse information on a PCG/spouse information transaction. You could also reverse and resubmit the contribution transaction with the missing PCG/spouse information.

F.7.3. CLB

Refusal reason 6: The grant requested flag is set to “No” therefore, the system considers it a stop CLB request.

Resolution: Confirm that you were supposed to submit this request has a stop CLB. If not, resubmit the CLB request with the grant requested flag set to “Yes”.

F.8. Refusal reason 7 – Failed 16/17 year rule

7 – Failed 16/17 year rule

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • SAGES

If there is any discrepancy in the contributions by the client, contact CESP.

F.8.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason 7: A contribution falls into a year in which the beneficiary turns 16 or 17. In addition, the beneficiary does not meet the conditions for the 16/17 rule as per the CESP system. These conditions are:

  • contributions totaling $100 in 4 different years, or
  • a total of $2,000 in lifetime contributions up to and including the beneficiary’s 15th year

Resolution: No action unless the promoter made an error. Review the contribution history and determine if you have reported accurately all contributions under the beneficiary. If you determine that you did not make an error, you must contact the subscriber to inform them of the refusal. It could happen that the beneficiary has multiple plan and an error occurred at another promoter. If so, they will need to have the other promoter fix the error. Once they confirm the other promoter made correction, you can resubmit the transaction.

F.8.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason 7: A contribution falls into a year in which the beneficiary turns 16 or 17 and the beneficiary does not meet the conditions for the 16/17 rule as per the CESP system. These conditions are:

  • contributions totaling $100 in 4 different years, or
  • a total of $2,000 in lifetime contributions up to and including the beneficiary’s 15th year

Resolution: No action unless the promoter made an error. Review the contribution history and determine if you have reported accurately all contributions under the beneficiary. If you have determined that you did not make an error, you must contact the subscriber to inform them of the refusal. It could happen that the beneficiary has multiple plans and an error occurred at another promoter. If so, they will need to have the other promoter fix the error. Once they confirmed the other promoter made correction, you can resubmit the transaction.

F.8.3. SAGES

Refusal reason 7: A contribution falls into a year in which the beneficiary turns 16 or 17 and the beneficiary does not meet the conditions for the 16/17 rule as per the CESP system. These conditions are:

  • contributions totaling $100 in 4 different years, or
  • a total of $2,000 in lifetime contributions up to and including the beneficiary’s 15th year

Resolution: No action unless the promoter made an error. Review the contribution history and determine if you have reported accurately all contributions under the beneficiary. If you have determined that you did not make an error, you must contact the subscriber to inform them of the refusal. It could happen that the beneficiary has multiple plans and an error occurred at another promoter. If so, they will need to have the other promoter fix the error. Once they confirmed the other promoter made correction, you can resubmit the transaction.

F.9. Refusal reason 8 – CLB will not be paid for this benefit year

8 – CLB will not be paid for this benefit year

Incentive:

  • CLB

If there are any discrepancies in the income levels reported for the year, resulting in this refusal reason, contact CESP for assistance.

F.9.1. CLB

Refusal reason 8: The beneficiary is not eligible for a CLB payment for the benefit year for which the subscriber made the request.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber and advise them that the beneficiary will not receive the CLB for that benefit year. This refusal reason indicates that, according to the income information at the CRA, the income level of the PCG is too high to qualify for the CLB. With this refusal reason, the request will remain active for subsequent years. If the PCG believes that they should qualify, the PCG should contact the CRA at 1-800-387-1193 for further information. If the CESP receives updated Canada Child Benefit (CCB) information from the CRA for that benefit year, the CESP system will reassess the request and the CLB will automatically be paid if the beneficiary is now eligible.

F.10. Refusal reason 9 – Other

9 – Other

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • SAGES

F.10.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason 9: The contribution amount is below the minimum amount of $0.03. This is a requirement to attract grant.

Resolution: None required as contributions must be greater than $0.02 in order to attract grant.

F.10.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason 9: The contribution amount is below the minimum amount of $0.03. This is a requirement to attract grant.

Resolution: None required as contributions must be greater than $0.02 in order to attract grant.

F.10.3. SAGES

Refusal reason 9:

  1. the contribution amount is below the minimum amount of $0.05. This is a requirement to attract grant
  2. the promoter submits a SAGES request to the CESP system for processing in February 2018 or later

Resolution:

  1. none required as contributions must be greater than $0.04 in order to attract grant
  2. none required. For the duration of the SAGES suspension period, the CESP system will refuse all SAGES requests processing in February 2018 and onwards. The CESP system will continue to process the requests, but will not pay SAGES

F.11. Refusal reason A – Specimen plan not approved for CLB

A – Specimen plan not approved for CLB

Incentive:

  • CLB

F.11.1. CLB

Refusal reason A: An active CLB request is being assessed for a new benefit year. However, the specimen plan submitted on the CLB request is no longer approved for CLB in the CESP system.

Resolution: Since the specimen plan on the CLB request is not approved for CLB, the promoter should contact the CESP to confirm.

F.12. Refusal reason B – Invalid beneficiary

B – Invalid beneficiary

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • CLB

F.12.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason B: The beneficiary’s SIN reported on the contribution has become invalid in the CESP database because it is linked to another SIN.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber and determine if the beneficiary got a new SIN. If the beneficiary did get a new SIN, submit a beneficiary information transaction record. This will associate the beneficiary’s new SIN to the specimen plan. The promoter must then reverse the contribution and resubmit using the new valid SIN.

F.12.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason B: The beneficiary’s SIN reported on the contribution has become invalid in the CESP database because it is linked to another SIN.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber and determine if the beneficiary got a new SIN. If the beneficiary did get a new SIN, submit a beneficiary information transaction record. This will associate the beneficiary’s new SIN to the specimen plan. The promoter must then reverse the contribution and resubmit using the new valid SIN.

F.12.3. CLB

Refusal reason B: The beneficiary’s SIN reported on the CLB request has become invalid in the CESP database because it is linked to another SIN.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber and determine if the beneficiary got a new SIN. If the beneficiary did get a new SIN, submit a beneficiary information transaction record. This will associate the beneficiary’s new SIN to the specimen plan. The promoter must also submit a new CLB request with the new SIN in order to continue receiving the CLB.

F.13. Refusal reason C – Request not designated to attract CLB for the beneficiary

C – Request not designated to attract CLB for the beneficiary

Incentive:

  • CLB

F.13.1. CLB

Refusal reason C: CLB request is no longer active in the CESP system.

Resolution: Submit a new CLB request to restart the CLB payments. Restarting the CLB payments will also depend upon satisfying other business rules such as income levels, age of beneficiary etc.

F.14. Refusal reason D – Late transaction

D – Late transaction

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • CLB
  • SAGES
  • BCTESG

If unable to submit within this deadline due to exceptional circumstances, contact CESP.

F.14.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason D: There is an issue with the transaction date of the contribution transaction. The transaction requesting Basic CESG has a date that is more than 3 years before the date in the header record (001) of the submitted transaction file.

Resolution: None

Explanation: The promoter must successfully process Basic CESG requests with the CESP system within 3 years. If the promoter submits transactions after 3 years, the CESP system will process them but it will refuse the payment of grant.

F.14.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason D: There is an issue with the transaction date of the contribution transaction. The transaction requesting Additional CESG has a date that is more than 3 years before the date in the header record (001) of the submitted transaction file.

Resolution: None

Explanation: The promoter must successfully process Additional CESG requests with the CESP system within 3 years. If the promoter submits transactions after 3 years, the CESP system will process them but it will refuse the payment grant.

F.14.3. CLB

Refusal reason D: There is an issue with the transaction date of the CLB request transaction. The transaction requesting CLB has a date that is more than 3 years from the date in the header record (001) of the submitted transaction file.

Resolution: The promoter must submit another CLB request for the beneficiary. He must use a transaction date that is within 3 years of the file submission date.

Explanation: The promoter must successfully process CLB requests with the CESP system within 3 years. If the promoter submits transactions after 3 years, the CESP system will process them but it will refuse the payment of the bond.

F.14.4. SAGES

Refusal reason D: There is an issue with the transaction date of the SAGES request. The transaction requesting SAGES has a date that is more than 3 years before the date in the header record (001) of the submitted transaction file.

Resolution: None

Explanation: The promoter must successfully process SAGES requests with the CESP system within 3 years. If the promoter submits transactions after 3 years, the CESP system will process them but it will refuse the payment grant.

F.14.5. BCTESG

Refusal reason D: There is an issue with the transaction date of the BCTESG request. The transaction requesting BCTESG has a date that is more than 3 years before the date in the header record (001) of the submitted transaction file.

Resolution: None

Explanation: The promoter must successfully process BCTESG requests with the CESP system within 3 years. If the promoter submits transactions after 3 years, the CESP will process them but it will refuse the payment of grant.

F.15. Refusal reason E – Lifetime limit exceeded

E – Lifetime limit exceeded

Incentives:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • CLB
  • SAGES
  • BCTESG

F.15.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason E: The beneficiary has received the maximum lifetime allowable amount of CESG (Basic and Additional combined) of $7,200.

Resolution: None required as the beneficiary has received the maximum amount of $7,200.

F.15.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason E: The beneficiary has received the maximum lifetime allowable amount of CESG (Basic and Additional combined) of $7,200.

Resolution: None required as the beneficiary has received the maximum amount of $7,200.

F.15.3. CLB

Refusal reason E: The beneficiary has received the maximum lifetime allowable CLB based on the number of benefit years they were entitled to, up to a maximum of $2,000.

Resolution: None required as the beneficiary has received all CLB payments he could receive based on his entitlements.

F.15.4. SAGES

Refusal reason E: The beneficiary has received the maximum lifetime allowable amount of $4,500.

Resolution: None required as the beneficiary has received the maximum amount of $4,500.

F.15.5. BCTESG

Refusal reason E: The beneficiary has received the maximum lifetime allowable amount of $1,200.

Resolution: None required as the beneficiary has received the maximum amount of $1,200.

F.16. Refusal reason F – Anti-churning rule violation

F – Anti-churning rule violation

Incentive:

  • Additional CESG

F.16.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason F: The beneficiary named on the contribution requesting Additional CESG is tainted. A beneficiary becomes tainted when a grant repayment for a contract the beneficiary is associated to, is submitted with:

  • a transaction date on or after March 22, 2004 and
  • with a repayment reason of contribution withdrawal, and
  • a grant amount is greater than 0

Resolution: Contact the subscriber to determine if they have previously withdrawn contributions from an RESP. If so, this could be the cause the beneficiary is tainted.

F.17. Refusal reason G – Contribution transaction date earlier than January 1, 2005

G – Contribution transaction date earlier than January 1, 2005

Incentive:

  • Additional CESG

F.17.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason G: A contribution requesting Additional CESG has a transaction date that is earlier than January 1, 2005.

Resolution: The CESP system will only pay Additional CESG on contribution transactions dated on or after January 1, 2005. It could happen that the promoter made a mistake regarding the transaction date of the contribution. If that is the case, reverse the previous contribution and resubmit the new contribution with the correct transaction date.

F.18. Refusal reason H – PCG/spouse information is missing

H – PCG/spouse information is missing

Incentive:

  • Additional CESG

F.18.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason H: 1 or more of the following fields do not contain information:

  • SIN
  • surname
  • given name, and
  • type of PCG/spouse

Resolution: In order to receive the Additional CESG, the promoter needs to include the PCG/spouse SIN, given name, surname, and type. If the promoter did not provide this information, he can use an update PCG/spouse information transaction to add the missing information. He could also reverse the contribution and resubmit with the missing information.

F.19. Refusal reason I – The PCG/spouse SIN is not numerically valid

I – The PCG/spouse SIN is not numerically valid

Incentive:

  • Additional CESG

F.19.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason I: The individual PCG/spouse SIN is not numerically valid. ESDC uses a mathematical formula to determine the validity of the composition of a SIN.

Resolution: Verify that the individual PCG/spouse SIN is 9 digits in length. If required, contact the subscriber to advise that the individual PCG/spouse SIN provided is not correct. If the subscriber provides a new individual PCG/spouse SIN, you will need to update the information. To do so, use either an update PCG/spouse information transaction to change the information or reverse the contribution and resubmit with the new information.

F.20. Refusal reason J – Contract is not an individual/sibling only contract

J – Contract is not an individual/sibling only contract

Incentive:

  • Additional CESG
  • CLB

If there are any errors in the designation of the contract, contact CESP.

Note: For CLB (RT 400-24) or SAGES (RT 410-30), the contract reported on these transactions needs to be individual/sibling only. Therefore, the flag needs to be set to “Yes”. If the flag is not set to “Yes”, the CESP system will reject the transaction with an error code 1010.

F.20.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason J: The promoter did not designate the contract as an individual/sibling only contract.

Resolution: The contract reported on the contribution transaction must have the individual/sibling only flag set to “Yes” in the CESP system. To set this flag to Yes, submit a contract information transaction with the individual/sibling only flag set to “Yes”. Once done, reverse and resubmit the previously refused contribution transaction to receive the Additional CESG.

F.20.2. CLB

Refusal reason J: The promoter did not designate the as an individual/sibling only contract.

Resolution: The contract reported on the CLB request has had the individual/sibling only flag updated to “No” since the CESP processed the initial CLB request. The promoter should verify that the contract is not an individual/sibling only contract.

F.21. Refusal reason L – PCG/spouse SIN or agency BN not matched by the CRA

L – PCG/spouse SIN or agency BN not matched by the CRA

Incentives:

  • Additional CESG
  • CLB

If there are any concerns or discrepancies in the information, contact CESP.

F.21.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason L: The CRA is unable to find the individual PCG/spouse SIN or agency BN information provided on the contribution transaction requesting Additional CESG.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Notify them that the individual PCG/spouse’s SIN or agency’s BN reported on the contribution transaction does not match the information on file with the CRA. Confirm the correct PCG/spouse information with the subscriber. Then, if required, use the update PCG/spouse information transaction to change the PCG/spouse information. You can also reverse the contribution transaction and then resubmit with new PCG/spouse information. Please note that this refusal reason will only apply to CLB requested for beneficiaries under 18 years of age.

F.21.2. CLB

Refusal reason L: The CRA is unable to find the individual PCG/spouse SIN or agency BN reported on the CLB request.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Notify them that the individual PCG/spouse’s SIN or agency’s BN reported on the CLB request does not match any PCG/spouse SINs or agency BNs on file with the CRA. If they provide new PCG/spouse information, submit a new CLB request.

F.22. Refusal reason M – PCG custody not confirmed by the CRA

M – PCG custody not confirmed by the CRA

Incentive:

  • Additional CESG
  • CLB

If there are any other concerns or discrepancies in the information, contact CESP.

F.22.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason M: According to CRA, the PCG or the PCG associated to the spouse reported on the contribution is not the designated PCG for the beneficiary during the month and year of the transaction date.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Notify them that according to the CRA, the PCG reported on the contribution does not have custody of the beneficiary in the year and month the contribution transaction falls. The PCG should then contact the CRA to verify the information they have on record. If they provide a new PCG/spouse information, use an update PCG/spouse information (511-12) transaction to change the PCG/spouse information. You could also reverse the contribution transaction and resubmit with new PCG/spouse information.

F.22.2. CLB

Refusal reason M: According to CRA, the PCG or the PCG associated to the spouse reported on the CLB request is not the designated PCG for the beneficiary for all months from the transaction date of the CLB request to the end of the CLB benefit year it falls into.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Notify them that according to the CRA, the PCG reported on the CLB request does not have custody of the beneficiary required for payment. The PCG should then contact the CRA to verify the information they have on record. If required, resubmit the CLB request. If they provide you with new PCG/spouse information, then submit a new CLB request. Please note that this refusal reason will only apply to CLB requested for beneficiaries under 18 years of age.

F.23. Refusal reason N – SIN has been flagged by SIR

N – SIN has been flagged by Social insurance registry (SIR)

Incentive:

  • Basic CESG
  • Additional CESG
  • CLB
  • SAGES
  • BCTESG

If there are any other concerns or discrepancies in the information, contact CESP.

F.23.1. Basic CESG

Refusal reason N: The SIN reported on the contribution requesting CESG has been flagged as “not useable” by the SIR.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Verify the status of the beneficiary’s SIN. If the SIN has been cancelled and they received a new SIN, submit a beneficiary information transaction record. This will associate the beneficiary’s new SIN to the specimen plan. Once you complete this, reverse the previous contribution transaction and resubmit the contribution using the new SIN.

F.23.2. Additional CESG

Refusal reason N: The SIN reported on the contribution requesting Additional CESG has been flagged as “not useable” by the SIR.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Verify the status of the beneficiary’s SIN. If the SIN has been cancelled and got a new SIN, submit a beneficiary information transaction record. This will associate the beneficiary’s new SIN to the specimen plan. Once you complete this, reverse the previous contribution transaction and resubmit the contribution using the new SIN.

F.23.3. CLB

Refusal reason N: The SIN reported on the CLB request has been flagged as “not useable” by the SIR.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Verify the status of the beneficiary’s SIN. If the SIN has been cancelled and they got a new SIN, submit a beneficiary information transaction record. This will associate the beneficiary’s new SIN to the specimen plan. Once you complete this, submit a new CLB request.

F.23.4. SAGES

Refusal reason N: The SIN reported on the contribution requesting SAGES has been flagged as “not useable” by the SIR.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Verify the status of the beneficiary’s SIN. If the SIN has been cancelled and they got a new SIN, submit a beneficiary information transaction record. This will associate the beneficiary’s new SIN to the specimen plan. Once you complete this, reverse the previous contribution transaction and re submit the contribution using the new SIN. You also need to resubmit a new SAGES request transaction for this contribution.

F.23.5. BCTESG

Refusal reason N: The SIN reported on the BCTESG request has been flagged as “not useable” by the SIR.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Verify the status of the beneficiary’s SIN. If the SIN has been cancelled and they got a new SIN, submit a beneficiary information transaction record. This will associate the beneficiary’s new SIN to the specimen plan. Once you complete this, submit a new BCTESG request.

F.24. Refusal reason O – Late SAGES request

O – Late SAGES request

Incentive:

  • SAGES

F.24.1. SAGES

Refusal reason O: The transaction date of the SAGES request compared to the contribution transaction date is greater than 3 years.

Explanation: The subscriber must request SAGES within 3 years after making a contribution. The transaction date of a SAGES request can be 1 of 2. It can be:

  • the most recent of the SAGES application form date, or
  • the contribution transaction date for which SAGES is being requested

A SAGES request with a transaction date that is more than 3 years after the corresponding contribution date will be processed the CESP system will refuse it.

Resolution: Contact CESP if you are unable to comply with this rule due to exceptional circumstances.

F.25. Refusal reason P – Spouse not in an active relationship

P – Spouse not in an active relationship

Incentive:

  • Additional CESG
  • CLB

F.25.1. Additional CESG

Refusal reason P: The spouse is not in an active relationship with the PCG at the time of the contribution. This is based on the transaction date of the contribution.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Notify them that according to the CRA, the spouse reported on the contribution is not in an active relationship with the PCG at the time of the contribution. The PCG should then contact the CRA to verify the information they have on record. If the subscriber provides new PCG/spouse information, you can send the information either with:

  • an update PCG/spouse information (511-12) transaction to change the PCG/spouse information, or
  • reverse the contribution transaction and resubmit with new PCG/spouse information

F.25.2. CLB

Refusal reason P: The spouse reported is not in an active relationship with the PCG at the time of the CLB request. This is based on the transaction date.

Resolution: Contact the subscriber. Notify them that according to the CRA, the spouse reported on the CLB request is not in active relationship with the PCG at the time of the CLB request. The PCG should then contact the CRA to verify the information they have on record. If required, resubmit the CLB request. If the subscriber provides new PCG/spouse information, then submit a new CLB request. Please note that this refusal reason will only apply to CLB requested for beneficiaries under 18 years of age.

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