Eligible Canadians are set to receive an extra federal payment starting June 5, 2026, before Canada’s new grocery support program replaces the GST/HST credit next month. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), announced in January 2026, will begin in July as a replacement for the GST/HST credit and is designed to provide households with 25 per cent higher quarterly payments for five years. Prime Minister Mark Carney has described the measure as added support for more than 12 million Canadians facing the rising cost of everyday essentials, including groceries.
Before the new program begins, the Canada Revenue Agency says qualified individuals and families will receive a one-time top-up equal to 50 per cent of their total annual GST credit for the period from July 2025 to June 2026, as long as they were eligible for the January 2026 payment. For example, a person whose annual GST credit for that period was $400 would receive an additional $200. The size of the top-up depends on household makeup and income reported in the 2024 tax return.
To qualify, Canadians must have filed their 2024 tax return, be at least 19 years old, and be residents of Canada for tax purposes during the relevant year. Income thresholds for the GST credit vary by household size. For single individuals with no children, the maximum net income is $56,181 for the 2024 tax year. The limit rises to $63,161 with one child, $66,841 with two children, $70,521 with three children, and $74,201 with four children. For married or common-law couples, the household income limit is $59,481 with no children, and increases in the same steps depending on the number of children.
The CRA says eligible individuals could receive up to $267 with no children, $441 with one child, $533 with two children, $625 with three children, and $717 with four children. For qualifying married or common-law couples, the top-up amounts are $349 with no children, $441 with one child, $533 with two children, $625 with three children, and $717 with four children. In shared custody situations, each parent may receive half the amount for the child or children.
Payments will begin on June 5, 2026, and those registered for direct deposit will see the funds deposited automatically into their bank accounts. Canadians who still receive paper payments will get cheques by mail, although the CRA is encouraging people to enroll in direct deposit for faster and more secure delivery. Until financial institutions update their systems, the payment may still appear as the GST/HST credit, even though it is tied to the new grocery and essentials benefit program.
The CRA says people may not receive the payment if they did not file a 2024 return, were not eligible for the January 2026 GST credit, already had a spouse or partner receive the amount for the family, or had the payment applied toward an outstanding CRA balance.
