Toronto 
A new federal payment aimed at easing grocery costs is set to land in Canadians’ accounts on June 5, part of a plan first announced earlier in January.
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, from 2026 to 2031. 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.
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.
- Single individuals and single-parent families may receive different maximum payments depending on the number of children. The maximum is $267 with no children, $441 with one child, $533 with two children, $625 with three children, and $717 with four children, with amounts increasing as household size grows.
- Married or common-law individuals may receive up to $349 with no children, $441 with one child, $533 with two children, $625 with three children, and $717 with four children. For shared custody, each parent receives half of the amount they would have received with full custody of the child
- You may not receive the one-time GST/HST credit top-up if you did not file your 2024 tax return, were not eligible for the GST/HST credit in January 2026, or your spouse or common-law partner received the family payment. The CRA may also apply the amount to any outstanding balance you owe.
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.
- Payments from July 2026 to June 2027 will be based on 2025 tax returns.
- Maximum annual amounts are $679 for a single individual, $890 for couples or common-law partners, and $234 for each eligible child under 19.
