Toronto 
A new federal payment aimed at easing grocery costs is set to land in Canadians’ accounts this spring, part of a plan first announced earlier in January.
Wayne Long said eligible Canadians will receive a one-time GST HST credit top-up on June 5, 2026. The payment is part of a broader shift toward the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which will replace the current credit starting July 3.
The top up is calculated at 50 percent of the existing GST HST credit for the 2025 to 2026 benefit year. For many households, that translates into a meaningful boost. A family of four could receive up to $1,890 in 2026 when combined with future payments, while a single person could receive up to $950.
The new benefit keeps the same eligibility rules but increases quarterly payments by 25 percent over the next five years. More than 12 million Canadians are expected to receive support through the combined one-time and ongoing payments.
Eligibility for the June payment is tied to 2024 tax filings. Anyone who qualified for the GST HST credit in January 2026 should receive the extra amount automatically.
The changes come as grocery prices continue to outpace inflation. Since 2020, the average household has spent an additional $782 on food.
The federal government recently announced a temporary cut to federal fuel excise taxes. Starting April 20, rates drop to zero cents per litre until September 7, a move expected to lower gas prices by about 10 cents per litre.
What to Know:
One-time GST/HST Credit:
- Eligibility: If you (and your spouse if you have one) filed your 2024 tax return and were entitled to the GST/HST credit in January 2026, you should get the one-time top-up payment on June 5. This payment may still be called the GST/HST credit in your account.
- The one-time GST/HST credit payment is based on information from your 2024 tax return.
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: The GST/HST credit will be renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
- The quarterly Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payments, which start July 3, will be based on information from your 2025 tax return. Quarterly payments will increase by 25% for the next five years.
- Example:
- A family of four with a $40,000 in net income will receive a one-time top-up of $533 on June 5, plus an increase of $272 for the 2026-27 benefit year (total increase of $805).
- A single person with $25,000 in net income will receive a one-time top-up June 5 of $267 plus a longer-term increase of $136 for the 2026-27 benefit year (total increase of $402).
