Eligible Canadians will begin receiving quarterly payments today for the federal government's boosted Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. This initiative, introduced to help Canadians cope with economic uncertainty and the rising cost of living, particularly for groceries, is a revamped version of the former GST/HST credit.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit provides tax-free payments to lower-income households every three months. In addition to the regular quarterly installments, eligible households received a one-time payment in early June, representing 50 per cent of the benefit's annual value. The current quarterly payments are also set to receive a 25 per cent boost for the next five years, running from 2026 to 2031.
Annual benefit amounts can vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars per family, depending on factors such as marital status and the number of dependent children. Prime Minister Mark Carney has highlighted the program as a key measure to support Canadians facing affordability challenges. Eligibility is determined automatically based on information from annual tax returns, meaning individuals do not need to apply separately if they qualify.
Payments are issued quarterly, with subsequent installments expected in October, January, and April. The benefit amounts are recalculated each July based on the previous year's tax return information. For the payment period of July 2026 to June 2027, individuals can receive up to $679, couples up to $890, and an additional amount for each eligible child under 19.
