New Canada grocery benefit payments to hit bank accounts on Friday
Eligible Canadians should keep an eye out for the first Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) payment set to go out on Friday, July 3.
The new grocery benefit is replacing the GST/HST credit, meant to help Canadians with the rising cost of groceries across Canada. It’s separate from the one-time GST/HST credit top-up that some Canadians received on June 5, ahead of the transition.
The tax-free payments will go out quarterly to individuals and families “with low and modest incomes to help manage the rising costs of everyday essentials.”
Are you eligible?
Eltonlaw/Shutterstock
To qualify for the CGEB, you don’t need to apply separately — the CRA determines your eligibility and the amount you receive based on your tax return.
Canadians could qualify if they meet the following:
- You filed your latest tax return
- You’re a resident of Canada for income tax purposes
- You meet the family net income thresholds
- You’re at least 19 years old
- You’re under 19 years old and meet at least one of the following conditions: you have/had a spouse or common-law partner, or you are/were a parent and live/lived with your child
How much could you receive?
LarysaP/Shutterstock
Eligible Canadians can expect higher payment amounts, with quarterly payments increasing by 25 per cent for five years from 2026 to 2031.
Benefits are based on your adjusted family net income, marital status, and the number of children under 19 years old who are eligible for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), CGEB, or both.
The amount is recalculated every July, depending on the information provided in your tax returns from the previous year. According to the CRA, between July 2026 and June 2027, you could receive up to:
- $679 if you’re a single individual
- $890 if you’re married or have a common-law partner
- $234 for each eligible child under the age of 19
Check out the payments chart for more detailed information.
The next quarterly payment will go out on Oct. 5.
Several government benefits, such as the CCB and Canada Pension Plan, are set to increase in July. Here’s how much more Canadians can expect.