If your GST/HST credit deposit didn’t show up this July, that’s not a mistake — it’s because it’s gone, replaced by a bigger benefit. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) took over in 2026, paying about 25% more than the old credit and reaching roughly 500,000 new recipients. Here’s who qualifies, how much you can get, and when the next payment lands.

What Is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The CGEB is a tax-free quarterly payment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) designed to help individuals and families with low and modest incomes manage the cost of groceries and everyday essentials. It replaced the GST/HST credit starting in 2026, with payments about 25% higher than the old credit provided. The first enriched quarterly payment went out July 3, 2026, following a one-time top-up payment in June 2026.

Who Is Eligible

You’re generally eligible for the CGEB if you meet all of the following:

• You’re a resident of Canada for income tax purposes
• You’re at least 19 years old in the month before a quarterly payment (with exceptions if you have a spouse, common-law partner, or child and are under 19)
• Your adjusted family net income is below the CRA’s maximum threshold for your household size

How Much You Can Get

Based on the enhanced 2026 amounts, eligible Canadians can receive up to:

• $402 per year for a single individual with no children
• $527 per year for a couple
• $805 per year for a couple with two children (amounts increase with additional qualifying children)

Your actual amount depends on your adjusted family net income and household size, and is recalculated every July based on your previous year’s tax return.

Do You Need to Apply

In most cases, no. The CRA automatically determines your eligibility and amount when it assesses your tax return each year — you just need to file your taxes, even if you have no income to report. New residents of Canada may need to apply for the first year they become a resident.

Payment Dates

For the 2026-27 benefit year, CGEB payments are scheduled for:

• July 3, 2026
• October 5, 2026
• January 5, 2027
• April 5, 2027

If your total benefit for the year works out to less than $50 per quarter, the CRA pays it as a single lump sum in July instead of spreading it across four payments.

FAQ

Is this the same as the old GST/HST credit?
It replaces the GST/HST credit, with a similar structure but a roughly 25% higher payment amount and an expanded pool of eligible recipients.

What if my income changed this year?
Your CGEB amount is based on your most recently assessed tax return, so a change in income will generally show up the next time your benefit is recalculated (each July).

Related reading: If you have dental expenses, check whether you also qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

This article is for general informational purposes and is not tax or financial advice. Benefit amounts and thresholds can change — always confirm current details on Canada.ca or with the CRA before making financial decisions.