What is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is a federal, tax-free cash benefit designed to help low- and modest-income Canadians offset the cost of GST/HST on everyday necessities like groceries, household goods, and essentials.
It replaces the existing GST/HST Credit starting in the 2026–2027 benefit year. The eligibility rules, calculation structure, and quarterly payment schedule remain largely the same — but the amounts are meaningfully higher.
Bill C-19 received Royal Assent on February 12, 2026, making the change official.
How much will you receive?
The CGEB comes in two forms: a one-time special payment and ongoing quarterly payments.
One-time special payment — June 5, 2026
Anyone who received the GST/HST Credit in January 2026 will automatically receive a lump-sum payment equal to 50% of their annual credit amount. No application needed.
Quarterly payments — July 2026 onward (25% increase for 5 years)
The 2026–2027 maximum annual amounts are:
| Household type | Max annual amount |
|---|---|
| Single individual | $679 |
| Married / common-law couple | $890 |
| Each child under 19 | +$234 |
| Family of 4 (couple + 2 children) | Up to $1,358/year |
A family of four that previously received around $1,100 per year could receive up to $1,890 in 2026 when the June one-time payment is included.
When are payments sent?
CGEB payments follow the same schedule as the existing GST/HST Credit:
| Quarter | Payment date |
|---|---|
| Q1 | July 5 |
| Q2 | October 5 |
| Q3 | January 5 |
| Q4 | April 5 |
The first CGEB quarterly payment goes out July 5, 2026. The one-time special payment goes out June 5, 2026.
Who qualifies?
Eligibility mirrors the GST/HST Credit. You qualify if you are a Canadian resident for tax purposes and at least one of the following applies:
| Condition |
|---|
| You are 19 years of age or older |
| You have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner |
| You are a parent living with your child |
The CRA determines your eligibility automatically based on your tax return. No separate application is required — you just need to file your taxes.
New immigrants and permanent residents are eligible as soon as they become Canadian residents for tax purposes and file a return.
What do you need to do?
- 1File your 2024 tax return to qualify for the June 2026 one-time special payment.
- 2File your 2025 tax return to receive the increased quarterly payments starting July 2026.
- 3Register for direct deposit with the CRA via My Account — payments arrive faster and more reliably.
You don't need to do anything. The CRA will automatically transition you to CGEB — same payment dates, same bank account, more money.
Can you receive CGEB alongside other benefits?
Yes. CGEB is fully stackable with other federal programs:
A note for Quebec residents
Quebec has its own provincial sales tax (QST) in addition to the federal GST. The CGEB offsets the federal GST portion only. Quebec does administer its own solidarity tax credit (crédit d'impôt pour solidarité) at the provincial level, which covers QST and housing costs. If you live in Quebec, filing both your federal and provincial tax returns ensures you capture benefits from both programs.
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