The federal government's rebranded affordability benefit, now called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), will land in eligible bank accounts on Friday, July 3, 2026. The payment replaces the traditional GST/HST credit with a 25% increase for the next five years.
Eligibility and Payment Structure
The CGEB retains the same eligibility criteria and payment framework as the GST/HST credit but offers a 25% boost. According to the Department of Finance, the benefit is designed to help low- and modest-income Canadians cope with rising costs, especially food prices. The spring top-up payment was already distributed in June 2026.
Financial Impact
The CGEB will provide $11.7 billion in additional supports over six years, indexed to inflation. A family of four can receive up to $1,890 this year and about $1,400 annually for the next four years. A single person may receive up to $950 this year and roughly $700 annually thereafter. Payments are based on the previous year's tax return and recalculated every July.
Upcoming Payments
The next and final CGEB payment for 2026 is scheduled for October 5. The legislation received royal assent earlier in 2026, transitioning the regular quarterly GST/HST payments—two of which were already paid in January and April—into the new benefit.
