Eligible Canadians will receive a one-time federal grocery and essentials payment this month as Ottawa moves ahead with a new benefit aimed at helping low- and modest-income households manage the rising cost of food and daily necessities.
The Canada Revenue Agency says the payment will begin going out on June 5, 2026, as part of the transition to the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which will replace the GST/HST credit in July.
Canada Grocery Benefit Payment Starts June 5
The one-time payment is a GST/HST credit top-up. It will equal 50 per cent of a recipient’s annual GST/HST credit amount for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year.
For example, someone whose annual GST/HST credit was $400 would receive an extra $200 through the top-up.
The payment will go to people who were entitled to receive the GST/HST credit in January 2026. Most eligible Canadians do not need to apply, as the CRA will assess eligibility through tax filings.
Who Qualifies for the Grocery Payment?
To receive the one-time top-up, Canadians must have filed their 2024 tax return. Spouses or common-law partners must also file, even if they had no income to report.
The amount depends on family situation in January 2026 and adjusted family net income from the 2024 tax year. The payment does not include related provincial or territorial benefit amounts.
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Begins in July
Starting July 2026, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will replace the GST/HST credit. The federal government says the structure and eligibility rules will stay the same, while quarterly payments will rise by 25 per cent for five years.
If you are a single individual or a single-parent family, you could get a maximum payment of up to:
$267 with no children
$441 with 1 child
$533 with 2 children
$625 with 3 children
$717 with 4 children
If you are married or have a common-law partner, you could get a maximum payment of up to:
$349 with no children
$441 with one child
$533 with two children
$625 with three children
$717 with four children
CRA says more than 12 million Canadians with low and modest incomes are expected to receive support through the one-time top-up and the increased quarterly payments.
