The federal government has renamed the quarterly GST/HST credit as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) and increased it by 25 per cent for five years starting in July 2026. The first payment under the new name will be issued on July 3, 2026.
What is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
Announced on Jan. 26, 2026, the government said it would increase benefits under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit and rename the program the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Bill C-19, tabled in the House of Commons two days later, included a one-time payment equal to 50 per cent of the GST credit's annual 2025-26 value, and an increase of the annual credit by 25 per cent for five years starting in July 2026.
Who is eligible?
Despite the new name, eligibility, payment calculation and structure remain the same as the previous GST/HST credit. Residents of Canada who are 19 years or older and live in the country the month before a payment and at the start of the payment month are eligible within certain income thresholds.
How much is the payment?
Payment varies by income and family size. The maximum annual amount for a single individual is $679, and for a single individual with four or more children it is $1,826. For married or common-law couples, the maximum is $890, and for couples with four or more children it is $1,826. The government provides an online calculator to estimate payments.
When do payments go out?
The first CGEB payment is July 3, 2026. Previous payments on Jan. 5 and April 2, 2026 were classified as GST/HST credit payments. A fourth quarterly payment will be made on Oct. 5, 2026.
Why was there a June payment?
A one-time top-up payment was sent to individuals who received the GST credit for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit period. It was valued at 50 per cent of the annual amount. The Parliamentary Budget Office estimated 12.1 million recipients with an average one-time payment of $252. Starting in July, the benefit amount increases by 25 per cent.
What if someone didn't receive a payment?
Payments under $50 per quarter are delivered as a single payment in July. If you do not receive your benefit on the expected date, the Canada Revenue Agency recommends checking the payment status in your CRA account and contacting them if necessary.
What is this costing the government?
On Feb. 2, 2026, the Parliamentary Budget Office estimated the new program would cost almost $12.4 billion from 2025-26 to 2030-31. This includes $3.1 billion for the initial top-up payment and nearly $1.8 billion in the first year, rising to $1.92 billion annually by 2030.
