A new quarterly payment worth up to $1,826 a year started landing in Canadian bank accounts this month. It’s called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), and it replaces the GST/HST credit — with a real increase built in.
What it pays
| Household type | Maximum amount (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| Single person | $679/year |
| Couple | $890/year |
| Per eligible child under 19 | $234/year |
| Couple with 4 children | $1,826/year (max) |
That’s 25% higher than the old GST/HST credit amounts for the more than 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians who qualify.
When it’s paid
CGEB is paid quarterly — July, October, January, and April, with the first payment landing July 3, 2026. There was also a one-time top-up before the quarterly program launched: eligible Canadians got a payment on June 5, 2026 worth 50% of their full 2025-26 GST/HST credit value.
Who qualifies
You need to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, 19 years or older in the month before a payment (and at the start of the payment month). To get the full maximum amount, your adjusted family net income needs to be under roughly $46,432 for the 2026-27 benefit year. Above that threshold, the amount phases down.
Do you need to apply?
No. The CRA automatically checks eligibility when it assesses your tax return — there’s no separate application. This means filing your taxes is what actually triggers eligibility, even if you have little or no income to report.
FAQ
Q. Is this the same as the GST/HST credit?
A. It replaces it. CGEB pays out on the same quarterly cadence but at amounts 25% higher.
Q. What if my income is above $46,432?
A. You may still get a partial payment — the benefit phases down above that income threshold rather than cutting off immediately, though the exact phase-out rate wasn’t specified in this reporting.
Q. Do I need to do anything to get it?
A. Just file your tax return. The CRA determines eligibility and pays automatically — no separate application.
Q. I didn’t get the June 5 top-up. Am I still eligible for CGEB?
A. The one-time top-up and the ongoing quarterly CGEB are separate; missing the June top-up doesn’t disqualify you from the regular quarterly payments if you otherwise meet the eligibility rules.