Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit 2026: 25% Increase, Payment Dates and Top-Up
What changed in 2026, payment dates, benefit amounts, eligibility and the one-time top-up
The Canada Groceries Benefit is a new name for the former GST/HST credit, with higher payments starting in July 2026. If you receive this benefit, here’s what you need to know about the 25% increase, 2026 payment dates, eligibility, and the one-time June top-up.
The federal government replaced the GST/HST credit with the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) in July 2026. However, the basic eligibility rules and quarterly payment structure remain the same.
In addition, eligible Canadians received a one-time top-up on June 5, 2026. So, let’s look at what changed and how the new benefit could affect your payments.
What is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is the new name for the former GST/HST credit. You can also learn more about the benefit on the Canada Revenue Agency website.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) replaced the GST/HST credit with the CGEB in July 2026. As a result, eligible individuals and families with low and modest incomes can continue to receive tax-free quarterly payments.
The government kept the main eligibility rules and payment structure from the GST/HST credit. However, it increased the benefit amount by 25% starting in July 2026.
Furthermore, the government plans to keep the increased rate for five years, from 2026 through 2031.
What changed with the GST/HST credit in 2026?
Three major changes took place in 2026.
1. The GST/HST credit has a new name
The GST/HST credit is now called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
Fortunately, you do not need to submit a new application because of the name change. When you file your tax return, the CRA automatically checks whether you qualify for the benefit.
In other words, the name changed, but eligible Canadians do not need to start a new application process.
2. Benefit amounts increased by 25%
Starting with the July 3, 2026 payment, the government increased CGEB payments by 25%.
In addition, the government plans to keep this higher rate for five years.
Your actual payment depends on your income, marital status, and number of eligible children. Therefore, two households may receive different amounts even when they receive the benefit on the same date.
The CRA recalculates your benefit every July using information from your previous year’s tax return.
3. Eligible Canadians received a one-time top-up
The CRA issued a one-time GST/HST credit top-up on June 5, 2026.
The top-up provided an amount equal to 50% of the annual GST/HST credit for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year.
To determine eligibility, the CRA used information from your 2024 tax return and your January 2026 GST/HST credit entitlement.
Who received the June 2026 top-up?
You qualified for the one-time top-up if you:
- Filed your 2024 tax return
- Qualified for the GST/HST credit in January 2026
- Met the other eligibility requirements
The CRA issued the payment automatically. Therefore, you did not need to submit a separate application.
Also, the payment may still appear as a GST/HST credit in your CRA account or bank statement. The CRA issued the top-up before the new CGEB officially started in July.
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment dates for 2026
The CRA pays the CGEB every quarter.
Here are the 2026 payment dates:
| Payment date | Benefit |
|---|---|
| January 5, 2026 | GST/HST credit |
| April 2, 2026 | GST/HST credit |
| July 3, 2026 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit |
| October 5, 2026 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit |
The January and April payments used the old GST/HST credit. Meanwhile, the July and October payments use the new CGEB.
For this reason, the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit period uses information from your 2025 tax return.
Which tax return does the CRA use for the 2026 benefit?
The CRA uses different tax returns for different payment periods.
First, the January and April 2026 GST/HST credit payments used your 2024 tax return.
Next, the July and October 2026 CGEB payments use your 2025 tax return.
After that, the CRA will continue to recalculate your benefit every July using the previous year’s tax information.
This makes filing your tax return each year important. Even if you had little or no income, filing can help the CRA determine whether you qualify for benefits.
If you receive other government benefits, check our guide to CPP and OAS payment dates for 2026 to keep track of upcoming payments.
How much can you receive from the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
Your payment depends on your personal and family situation.
For the July 2026 to June 2027 payment period, the CRA says eligible people could receive up to:
- $679 for a single individual
- $890 for a married or common-law couple
- $234 for each eligible child under 19
However, these are maximum amounts. Your actual payment may differ because the CRA considers your adjusted family net income and other details when it calculates your benefit.
The government also says that, when the one-time June top-up is included, a single person could receive up to $950 in 2026. Similarly, a family of four could receive up to $1,890.
Therefore, do not assume that every eligible person will receive the maximum amount.
What happens if your quarterly payment is less than $50?
The CRA has a special rule for smaller benefit amounts.
If your CGEB entitlement works out to less than $50 per quarter, the CRA will not send four separate payments.
Instead, the CRA will pay your full annual entitlement as one payment in July.
As a result, some people may receive one larger payment instead of four smaller quarterly deposits.
Do you need to apply for the new benefit?
No.
You do not need to submit a new application because the government changed the GST/HST credit to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
Instead, the CRA automatically checks your eligibility when it processes your tax return.
For this reason, make sure you file your tax return every year. This applies even if you have no income to report.
What happens if you file your tax return late?
The CRA recalculates the CGEB every July using your previous year’s tax information.
If you file your tax return after July, the CRA must first assess your return before it can determine your benefit amount.
After the CRA processes your return, you may receive any missed benefit amounts through a later payment.
What should you do if you did not receive your payment?
If you expected a CGEB payment but did not receive it, check your CRA account first.
Your CRA account can show:
- Your next payment date
- Your expected payment amount
- Your payment history
- Your benefit statement
- Your current benefit entitlement
In addition, make sure your personal information remains up to date.
If you still cannot find the reason for a missing payment, the CRA recommends waiting 10 business days after the expected payment date before contacting the agency.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GST/HST credit now called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
Yes. The federal government replaced the GST/HST credit with the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026.
However, the new benefit keeps the same basic eligibility and payment structure.
Did the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit increase in 2026?
Yes. The government increased CGEB amounts by 25% starting in July 2026.
Furthermore, the government plans to keep the higher rate for five years, from 2026 to 2031.
Was there a GST/HST credit top-up in June 2026?
Yes. The CRA issued a one-time top-up on June 5, 2026.
Specifically, the top-up equaled 50% of the annual GST/HST credit amount for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year.
Do I need to apply for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
No. The CRA automatically considers you for the benefit when you file your tax return.
Therefore, you do not need to submit a separate application simply because the program has a new name.
Which tax return does the CRA use for the July 2026 payment?
The CRA uses information from your 2025 tax return to calculate the July 2026 to June 2027 CGEB payment period.
When is the next Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment?
The next scheduled CGEB payment after July 3, 2026 is October 5, 2026.
After that, the CRA will continue the quarterly payment schedule.
What if I did not receive the June 2026 top-up?
First, check your CRA account and payment history.
The CRA issued the top-up to people who filed their 2024 tax return and qualified for the GST/HST credit in January 2026.
If you believe you qualified but did not receive the payment, review your CRA account before contacting the agency.
The bottom line
The GST/HST credit changed in 2026, but the government made more than a simple name change.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit now provides a 25% increase in benefit amounts. In addition, eligible Canadians received a one-time top-up in June 2026.
You do not need to submit a new application because of the change.
Most importantly, file your tax return every year. The CRA uses your tax information to determine your eligibility and calculate your benefit.
Finally, if you want to check your exact payment amount or upcoming payment date, sign in to your CRA account and review your benefits and credits.
