Direct deposit
Get payments from the Government of Canada deposited directly into your bank account.
You can:
- Set up direct deposit
- Change your banking information
If you are receiving multiple payments, you may need to contact more than one government department to set up direct deposit or change your banking information.
Services and information
Individuals in Canada
How to set up direct deposit or change your banking information for one or more payments you receive
Individuals outside of Canada
Check available countries and eligible direct deposit payments, set up direct deposit or change your banking information
Businesses, suppliers and other organizations
Direct deposit for business payments, government supplier invoice payments or grants and contributions
Help with direct deposit
How to find your banking information
You can find your banking information at the bottom of a cheque. You can use a void paper cheque or you can get an electronic void cheque using your online banking.
Make sure that the cheque is for the same bank account as where you want your direct deposit payments to go.
Reading your cheque
The digits at the bottom of your cheque are described below.
- The first set of digits are a cheque number: not required
- The second set of digits (5 digits) are the Branch number: required
- The third set of digits (3 digits) are the Institution number: required
- The last set of digits (various lengths) are the Account number: required
If you are not able to get a void cheque, contact or visit your financial institution. They can provide the bank account information for you.
Using a power of attorney to set up direct deposit
You can sign up for direct deposit for another person if you have power of attorney. Submit your power of attorney or trusteeship forms to each department or agency responsible for the person’s payments before trying to sign up for direct deposit on their behalf.
Getting payments in a joint bank account
You can get direct deposit payments in a bank account that is shared by two people. Make sure that the account is in the names of each person receiving payments from the government.
Getting payments in multiple bank accounts
If you receive multiple payments from the government, you can usually ask that those payments be deposited in different bank accounts. However, you must use the same bank account for your tax refund and for most credits and benefits that you receive from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Reporting a late, incorrect or unexpected payment
Contact the department or agency responsible for your payment if you:
- Continue receiving cheques after setting up or changing your direct deposit information
- Did not receive your payment when you expected
- Receive a payment you were not expecting
- Believe your payment amount is incorrect
Find the right contact information:
Reporting a change of address
If you have moved, be sure to change your address by contacting all of the government departments and agencies that you receive payments from. Even if your bank account information hasn’t changed, it is important to keep your address up to date.
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