The first Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment is June 5, 2026

The first Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment is June 5, 2026

The Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions) announced that eligible Canadians will receive a one-time GST/HST credit top-up on June 5, 2026. The payment is part of the transition to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit which will replace the GST/HST credit in July 2026. This top-up will be equal to 50% of the GST/HST credit for the 2025-26 benefit year.

Starting July 3, 2026, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will offer higher payment amounts while keeping the eligibility and structure of the GST/HST credit. Quarterly payments will increase by 25% for the next five years.

Together, the one time and quarterly payments will offer ongoing financial support to more than 12 million recipients.

• A family of four could receive up to $1,890 in 2026, including the top-up.

• A single person could receive up to $950 in 2026, including the top-up.

Who is Eligible?

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.

For more information, see this news release.

Quick Facts:

• The one-time GST/HST credit payment is based on information from your 2024 tax return.

• The GST/HST credit will be renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit July 3, 2026.

• The quarterly Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payments, which start July 3, will be based on information from your 2025 tax return.

• Examples of how the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will be issued:

  • A family of four with $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).