What to know
- The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment is going out Oct. 5.
- Eligible recipients could receive up to $679 for a single person, $890 for a couple and $234 per child.
- The benefit replaced the GST/HST credit in July, with the federal government increasing payments by 25 per cent.
- You don’t need to apply if you file your taxes; the CRA automatically determines eligibility.
You could be seeing a payment hit your bank account today if you’re eligible for Canada’s new groceries and essentials benefit.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) payment is going out Monday, Oct. 5, marking the second quarterly payment under the new program.
The benefit replaced the GST/HST credit in July, but the eligibility rules, payment structure and calculation remain the same.
The federal government increased the benefit by 25 per cent starting in July, with the increase set to remain in place for five years.
How much could you get?
The CGEB is a tax-free payment for Canadians with low and modest incomes, with the amount depending on factors including income, marital status and the number of children in your family.
For the current payment period, which runs from July 2026 to June 2027, eligible recipients could receive up to:
- $679 for a single person
- $890 for a married or common-law couple
- $234 for each eligible child under 19
Actual payments could be lower depending on your income and family situation.
The CRA recalculates the benefit every July using information from a recipient’s previous year’s tax return.
When are the payments going out?
The CGEB is paid four times a year. The payment dates for the current benefit period are:
- July 3, 2026
- Oct. 5, 2026
- Jan. 5, 2027
- April 5, 2027
The January and April payments earlier this year were still issued as GST/HST credit payments, before the benefit was replaced by the CGEB in July.
Do you need to apply?
Recipients do not need to apply.
If you file your taxes, the CRA automatically considers you for the benefit and related provincial and territorial programs.
You can check whether you’re eligible and see your payment information through your CRA My Account.
