Last Updated On 11 June 2026, 6:31 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
On July 3, 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency will issue the first quarterly payment under the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, and the amounts are higher under the five-year enhancement.
The one-time groceries top-up that landed on June 5 was just the opening act.
A single individual qualifying for the maximum will receive $169.75 on July 3. A couple with two children will receive up to $339.50.
Those quarterly deposits will repeat every three months for the next five years at the enhanced rate, reaching more than 12 million Canadians plus an estimated 500,000 new recipients who were not eligible under the old GST/HST credit.
The July 3 date marks the official start of a new benefit year, calculated from your 2025 tax return and running through April 2027.
It arrives alongside other major July changes, including the Canada Workers Benefit increase and recalculated Canada Child Benefit amounts.
Here is what the quarterly payments will be for every family type, how they compare to what you received under the old GST/HST credit, and the complete payment calendar through April 2027.
Table of Contents
How Much You CGEB Will Receive Every Quarter
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit quarterly amounts for the 2026–27 benefit year are based on the 2026 indexed amounts published in the CRA’s official indexation table.
These figures already include the 25% enhancement legislated under Bill C-19.
The CGEB has three components: an adult amount, a child amount, and a single supplement for individuals with no dependents.
Each of these was indexed to inflation at 2.0% for 2026 and then boosted by the 25% legislative increase.
Single individual or single-parent family
| Adjusted family net income ($) | No children ($/Year) | 1 child ($/Year) | 2 children ($/Year) | 3 children ($/Year) | 4 children or more ($/Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $11,564 | $445.00 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $14,000 | $493.72 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $15,000 | $513.72 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $20,000 | $613.72 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $25,000 | $679.00 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $30,000 | $679.00 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $35,000 | $679.00 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $40,000 | $679.00 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $45,000 | $679.00 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $50,000 | $500.60 | $945.60 | $1,179.60 | $1,413.60 | $1,647.60 |
| $55,000 | $250.60 | $695.60 | $929.60 | $1,163.60 | $1,397.60 |
| $60,000 | $0.60 | $445.60 | $679.60 | $913.60 | $1,147.60 |
| $65,000 | $0.00 | $195.60 | $429.60 | $663.60 | $897.60 |
| $70,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $179.60 | $413.60 | $647.60 |
| $75,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $163.60 | $397.60 |
| $80,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $147.60 |
| $85,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
These component amounts determine what each household type receives. The following table shows the total annual benefit and quarterly deposit for common family sizes.
Married or Common-law
| Adjusted family net income ($) | No children ($/Year) | 1 child ($/Year) | 2 children ($/Year) | 3 children ($/Year) | 4 children or more ($/Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $46,432 | $890.00 | $1,124.00 | $1,358.00 | $1,592.00 | $1,826.00 |
| $48,000 | $811.60 | $1,045.60 | $1,279.60 | $1,513.60 | $1,747.60 |
| $50,000 | $711.60 | $945.60 | $1,179.60 | $1,413.60 | $1,647.60 |
| $55,000 | $461.60 | $695.60 | $929.60 | $1,163.60 | $1,397.60 |
| $60,000 | $211.60 | $445.60 | $679.60 | $913.60 | $1,147.60 |
| $65,000 | $0.00 | $195.60 | $429.60 | $663.60 | $897.60 |
| $70,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $179.60 | $413.60 | $647.60 |
| $75,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $163.60 | $397.60 |
| $80,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $147.60 |
| $85,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
All amounts are maximums for recipients with adjusted family net income below $46,432. Above that threshold, the benefit is gradually reduced.
The quarterly payment structure is identical to the old GST/HST credit — four payments per year, tax-free, with no application required beyond filing your annual tax return. The CRA handles everything automatically.
Complete CGEB Payment Calendar for 2026–2027
The CRA has confirmed the following payment dates for the 2026–27 benefit year.
| Payment Date | Payment Type | Based On | Notes |
| June 5, 2026 | One-time top-up (50%) | 2024 tax return | Already issued — bridge payment |
| July 3, 2026 | First CGEB quarterly | 2025 tax return | First payment under new name and rates |
| October 5, 2026 | Second CGEB quarterly | 2025 tax return | Same enhanced amounts continue |
| January 5, 2027 | Third CGEB quarterly | 2025 tax return | Midpoint of benefit year |
| April 5, 2027 | Fourth CGEB quarterly | 2025 tax return | Final payment of 2026–27 benefit year |
The July 3 deposit is especially significant because it is the first payment calculated using your 2025 tax return.
If your income changed meaningfully between 2024 and 2025, your CGEB amount may be noticeably different from what you received under the GST/HST credit last year.
If the CRA determines your quarterly amount is less than $50, the full annual benefit will be paid as a single lump sum in the July payment rather than split across four quarters.
Seniors who rely on both the CGEB and federal pension income should note that the quarterly deposit schedule runs on a different calendar from the CPP and OAS payment dates.
The CGEB pays on the 5th of each quarter, while CPP and OAS deposit near the end of each month.
What Actually Changed From the GST/HST Credit
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is not a brand new program built from scratch. It is the GST/HST credit under a new name with three specific changes.
- Higher amounts: Quarterly payments are 25% larger than the old GST/HST credit, on top of the standard 2.0% inflation indexation. The combined effect is approximately 27.5% higher payments.
- Expanded eligibility: Ottawa estimates that approximately 500,000 additional individuals and families will now qualify who were previously above the income cutoff under the old program.
- Five-year commitment: The 25% enhancement is legislated to remain in place from 2026 through 2031, covering five consecutive benefit years.
Everything else remains the same. The eligibility rules, the income-testing formula, the quarterly payment schedule, and the CRA delivery infrastructure are identical to the GST/HST credit framework.
You do not need to apply, register, or fill out any new forms. If you filed your 2025 tax return, the CRA will automatically calculate your entitlement and deposit the payment on July 3.
The official CGEB page on Canada.ca confirms this process.
Income Thresholds and Phase-Out
The CGEB uses the same income-testing structure as the former GST/HST credit. Your payment starts to shrink once your adjusted family net income passes the phase-out threshold.
| Threshold | 2025–26 (Old GST/HST Credit) | 2026–27 (New CGEB) |
| Phase-out begins at | $45,521 | $46,432 |
| Single supplement phase-in at | $11,337 | $11,564 |
| Reduction rate above threshold | 5% | 5% |
The higher phase-out threshold of $46,432 means that households earning between $45,521 and $46,432 who previously received no GST/HST credit may now qualify for at least a partial CGEB payment.
This is part of how the government expects to reach 500,000 new recipients.
The same income-testing approach applies across all CRA benefit programs, from the Canada Child Benefit to the Canada Workers Benefit.
Real Payment Calculations at Different Income Levels
The following examples show how the CGEB quarterly payment changes at different income levels for the 2026–27 benefit year.
Single individual earning $25,000
Adjusted net income of $25,000 is below the $46,432 phase-out threshold.
Annual CGEB: $679. Quarterly deposit: $169.75. Under the old GST/HST credit, the same person received $533 per year ($133.25 per quarter). That is $146 more annually.
Couple with two children earning $40,000 combined
Adjusted family net income of $40,000 is below the $46,432 threshold.
Annual CGEB: $1,358. Quarterly deposit: $339.50. Under the old credit, this family received $1,066 per year ($266.50 per quarter). That is $292 more annually, or $73 extra per quarterly payment.
Single individual earning $50,000
Adjusted net income of $50,000 exceeds the $46,432 phase-out threshold by $3,568.
Reduction: 5% × $3,568 = $178.40. Benefit: $679 − $178.40 = $500.60 annually, or $125.15 per quarter.
This person still receives a meaningful payment because the higher CGEB amounts and slightly raised threshold keep them eligible. Under the old GST/HST credit, the same income would have produced a smaller entitlement or none at all.
Couple with two children earning $55,000 combined
Adjusted family net income of $55,000 exceeds the $46,432 threshold by $8,568.
Reduction: 5% × $8,568 = $428.40. Benefit: $1,358 − $428.40 = $929.60 annually, or $232.40 per quarter.
Annual CGEB: $929.60. Quarterly deposit: $232.40. Even at $55,000 in combined family income, a family of four still receives a substantial quarterly payment.
These calculations show the practical impact of the 25% enhancement. Families at every income level below the full phase-out ceiling are receiving materially larger deposits than they did a year ago. The same dynamic is playing out across the federal benefit landscape.
Who Qualifies for the July 3 Payment
Eligibility mirrors the former GST/HST credit. You qualify if you meet all of the following conditions.
- You are a Canadian resident for income tax purposes in the month before the CRA issues a payment and at the start of the payment month.
- You filed your 2025 income tax return. The CRA calculates your July 2026 payment using your 2025 return data.
- Your adjusted family net income is below the level where the benefit fully phases out based on your family size.
- You are 19 or older, or you have or had a spouse or common-law partner, or you are or were a parent living with your child.
Newcomers who arrived in Canada during 2025 or 2026 and have not yet received a GST/HST credit payment should complete Form RC151 through CRA My Account to register for the CGEB.
This applies to permanent residents, work permit holders navigating immigration changes, and anyone else who established tax residency after their most recent filing.
International students and temporary residents with valid tax residency can also qualify.
The new permanent residents may have filed their first full-year Canadian return this year and will also be becoming eligible for the CGEB for the first time.
What to Do Before July 3
- File your 2025 tax return immediately if you have not already. The CRA uses your 2025 return to calculate the July payment. Late filers may receive a delayed or retroactive deposit.
- Verify your direct deposit details in CRA My Account. The same banking information used for your June 5 top-up and other CRA benefits will be used for the CGEB.
- Update your marital status and dependent information if it changed in 2025. Family size directly affects your CGEB calculation.
- Check CRA My Account after July 3 to confirm the amount deposited matches your expected entitlement. The CGEB may still appear under the GST/HST credit label during the transition.
These same preparation steps apply before every CRA benefit payment date throughout the year.
Keeping your information current prevents gaps, delays, and overpayment situations that require reconciliation later.
Watch for Scams Around the July Payment
The Canadian government has publicly warned about disinformation circulating online claiming that a new $2,000 relief payment is being issued. That claim is false.
The CRA will never ask you to provide personal banking information by email, text message, or phone to receive a benefit payment.
If you receive a message asking for your SIN or banking details tied to the CGEB, it is a scam.
Verify all payment information through CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefits line at 1-800-387-1193.
July 3, 2026 is the day the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit officially replaces the GST/HST credit as a permanent quarterly program.
The 25% higher payment amounts are not temporary and are not a one-time bonus — they are legislated to continue through 2031.
For a couple with two children, that means an extra $292 per year compared to what the old program provided, adding up to $1,460 in additional support across the five-year enhancement period.
For households also receiving the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Workers Benefit, and provincial credits like the Ontario Trillium Benefit, the combined federal support available to low-income families in the 2026–27 benefit year is the highest it has ever been.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment dates for 2026 and 2027?
The new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment dates for the 2026–2027 benefit year are July 3, 2026, October 5, 2026, January 5, 2027, and April 5, 2027. The July 3 payment is the first quarterly deposit under the new benefit name and enhanced payment amounts. Eligible recipients do not need to apply separately because the CRA calculates payments automatically after processing their tax return.
Is July 3 the first payment under the new Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
Yes, July 3, 2026 is the first official quarterly payment issued under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit name with the enhanced 25% payment amounts. The June 5 deposit was a one-time top-up that served as a transition bridge.
How much will a single person receive per quarter?
A single individual with no dependents qualifying for the maximum will receive $169.75 per quarter, totaling $679 for the 2026–27 benefit year. This is $146 more annually than the $533 maximum under the old GST/HST credit.
Do I need to apply separately for the CGEB?
No, filing your annual tax return is the only requirement. The CRA automatically determines eligibility and calculates your payment. Newcomers to Canada who have not previously received the GST/HST credit should submit Form RC151 through CRA My Account. Our guide on travel rules for Canadians in 2026 includes additional tips for managing cross-border tax obligations.
Will the July 3 payment appear under the old GST/HST credit name?
Possibly, the CRA has confirmed that the legacy label may continue to appear in CRA My Account statements and bank deposits during the transition period. The payment amount will reflect the new enhanced CGEB rates regardless of how the label displays.
What if I did not receive the June 5 Groceries top-up payment?
Missing the June 5 top-up does not disqualify you from the quarterly CGEB payments starting July 3. The top-up was based on your 2024 return, while the July quarterly payment is based on your 2025 return. If your circumstances changed or you filed late, you may still qualify for the ongoing quarterly program. Check your entitlement through CRA My Account or review our CRA benefit payment overview for June 2026 for the complete schedule.
Is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit the same as the GST/HST credit?
Yes, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaces the GST/HST credit starting in July 2026. The payment system remains similar, but the benefit has a new name, higher quarterly amounts, and expanded eligibility under the five-year enhancement. Eligible Canadians do not need to apply separately because the CRA calculates payments automatically from filed tax returns.
Fact-Checked: All benefit amounts, payment dates, income thresholds, and eligibility rules are verified against official Canada.ca publications including the CRA’s indexed benefit amounts table, the CGEB program page, the CGEB payment dates page, and the Government of Canada’s June 5, 2026 announcement.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. CRA benefit amounts, thresholds, and payment dates can change. Provincial and territorial credit amounts may vary. Consult the CRA or a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
You may also like: New CRA Benefits Increase Coming In July 2026
New OAS Payment Increase Confirmed For July 2026
New Canada CDB Payment Of Up To $200 Coming This Week
New Canada Child Benefit Payment Coming Early On June 19