Last Updated On 17 April 2026, 4:46 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
The federal government has officially confirmed the long-awaited delivery date for one of the largest affordability deposits of 2026; A One-Time Groceries Benefit Top-Up Payment.
Millions of Canadians who already qualify for the GST/HST credit will receive a one-time top-up payment on Friday, June 5, 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency announced today from Vaughan, Ontario.
The bonus deposit marks the start of a much bigger transition.
Starting July 3, 2026, the GST/HST credit will be officially renamed and replaced by the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, with quarterly payments rising 25 percent for the next five years.
The Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), made the announcement on April 17, 2026.
The combined relief package is expected to reach more than 12 million Canadians who are struggling with the rising cost of food and household basics.
Together, the spring top-up and the enhanced quarterly payments will deliver billions of dollars in additional support to households over the next five years.
For many low and modest-income families, June 5 is shaping up to be the most significant benefit date of the year.
Table of Contents
June 5 One-Time Groceries Benefit Payment At A Glance
| Detail | Confirmed Information |
| Payment date | Friday, June 5, 2026 |
| Payment type | One-time top-up of the New Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit |
| Top-up formula | 50 percent of the 2025-26 GST/HST credit entitlement |
| Maximum (single individual) | Up to $267 in top-up cash |
| Maximum (family of four) | Up to $533 in top-up cash |
| Application required | No, payment is fully automatic to Canadians who already received GST payment in January 2026 |
| Total Canadians reached | More than 12 million recipients |
Who Gets the One-Time Groceries Top-Up Payment on June 5
The eligibility rules for the June 5 deposit are simple but very specific.
You will receive the bonus payment automatically if both of the following statements apply to you and to your spouse or common law partner.
- You filed your 2024 income tax and benefit return.
- You were entitled to the GST/HST credit deposit issued in January 2026.
If you missed either condition, you will not receive the June 5 top-up.
There is no late application path for this specific bonus, although filing your 2024 return now can still unlock other CRA benefits going forward.
No new signup is needed for those who qualify. The CRA will use the same banking information already on file from your January 2026 GST/HST credit deposit to send the top up to the same account.
The deposit may still appear in your bank statement or in CRA My Account labelled as the GST/HST credit, even though the funds form part of the broader transition to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
The agency has confirmed that the legacy label will continue to appear in some accounts during the changeover period.
Recipients who get their CRA payments by mailed cheque should allow extra processing days beyond June 5.
Direct deposit remains the fastest and most reliable way to receive every CRA benefit.
Newcomers, Students and Temporary Residents
Newcomers, international students, work permit holders and other temporary residents can also receive the top up on June 5, but only if they were already enrolled in the GST/HST credit and received the January 2026 deposit.
Anyone who arrived in Canada in 2025 or 2026 and has not yet applied through Form RC151 will not be on the list for this round.
How Much the June 5 Payment Will Be Worth
The size of the top up is calculated as exactly 50 percent of your total annual 2025-26 GST/HST credit entitlement.
It is a single deposit, not a recurring quarterly payment, and it does not change the April 2 deposit retroactively.
The CRA confirmed that an eligible family of four could receive up to $1,890 across calendar 2026 once the top up and the upcoming July boost are added together.
A single person could receive up to $950 over the same period. The exact amount you get is income tested and depends on family size.
Here is how the standard 2025-26 maximums break down before the bonus is applied.
| Household Type | Maximum Annual GST/HST Credit | 50 Percent June 5 Top-Up |
| Single individual | $533 | Up to $267 |
| Married or common law couple | $698 | Up to $349 |
| Per child under 19 | $184 | Up to $92 |
| Family of four (couple plus two children) | $1,066 base | Up to $533 |
Income matters. The phase-out for the GST/HST credit begins once your adjusted family net income climbs above roughly $45,521 for a single filer and is reduced gradually until the credit reaches zero.
The exact threshold depends on family size and the number of children registered for benefits.
Real Calculation Examples Released by the CRA
To help Canadians understand what to expect, the federal government released two specific case studies.
Both examples combine the June 5 top up with the longer term July 2026 increase, so households can see the full impact in one place.
| Household | Net Income | June 5 Top Up | 2026-27 Increase | Total New Money |
| Family of four | $40,000 | $533 | $272 | $805 |
| Single individual | $25,000 | $267 | $136 | $402 |
Both examples assume the household qualified for the January 2026 GST/HST credit and continues to qualify under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit going forward.
A family that loses eligibility because of an income jump will only receive the June 5 portion.
Why the Federal Government Is Issuing This Top Up
Ottawa has framed the June 5 deposit as a direct response to grocery prices that have outpaced general inflation for nearly six straight years.
According to figures cited by the Canada Revenue Agency, food prices in Canada have risen faster than overall inflation since 2020.
The agency estimates the average household has paid roughly $782 more for groceries during this period than they would have if food costs had simply tracked the general inflation rate.
Speaking from Vaughan, Secretary of State Wayne Long acknowledged the financial pressure many families are facing right now.
He said the one time deposit is meant to ease the pinch at checkout for those who need help the most.
The total cost of the June 5 top up alone is estimated at roughly $3.1 billion. The longer term increase coming in July is expected to deliver a further $8.6 billion in support over the next five years, bringing combined relief to nearly $11.7 billion.
New Increased Canada Groceries Benefit Payments Starting In July 2026
The June 5 top up is only the opening act. The much bigger structural change arrives less than a month later, on July 3, 2026, when the GST/HST credit officially disappears and is replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
This is not just a name change. The new program will keep the same eligibility rules and quarterly payment structure as the GST/HST credit, but the actual dollar amounts deposited will be permanently larger.
How the Replacement Works
Beginning with the July 3, 2026 deposit, every quarterly payment will be 25 percent higher than the equivalent GST/HST credit payment would have been.
That higher rate is locked in for five consecutive years, taking the program through to mid 2031.
The eligibility rules are unchanged. You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, generally at least 19 years of age, and your adjusted family net income must fall below program thresholds.
The application process is also unchanged: filing your annual tax return is all most Canadians need to do. The mechanics will look familiar to anyone who has previously read about the April 2 GST credit payment.
The amounts paid from July 3, 2026 onward will be calculated using your 2025 tax return, not your 2024 return. This is a critical distinction that many Canadians are missing in the rush of headlines.
How Much the New Quarterly Payments Will Be
Applying the 25 percent increase to the current GST/HST credit maximums gives a clear picture of what households can expect.
The figures below show the base 2025-26 amount, the new enhanced annual amount under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, and what the quarterly deposit will look like.
| Household | Old Annual GST/HST Credit | New Annual CGEB (25% Higher) | Approx. Quarterly Deposit |
| Single individual | $533 | $666 | $166.50 |
| Married or common law couple | $698 | $873 | $218.25 |
| Per child under 19 | $184 | $230 | $57.50 |
| Couple with one child | $882 | $1,103 | $275.75 |
| Family of four (couple plus two children) | $1,066 | $1,333 | $333.25 |
These calculations are illustrative and use the published GST/HST credit maximums as the base.
The CRA may also apply its annual indexation adjustment for the 2026-27 benefit year, which would push the final numbers slightly higher when official enhanced amounts are released closer to July.
Income Thresholds and How Phase Out Works
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will continue to be income tested, just like the GST/HST credit it replaces.
Your adjusted family net income from your 2025 tax return determines whether you receive the full amount, a partial amount, or zero.
Single Canadians without children typically begin to see their entitlement reduced once their adjusted family net income climbs above roughly $45,521.
The credit then phases down at a rate of 5 percent on every dollar earned above that threshold until the entitlement reaches zero, generally somewhere between $55,000 and $66,000 depending on supplements.
Couples and families with children have higher thresholds because the base entitlement is larger.
A family of four typically continues to receive at least a partial Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit until family net income passes the $65,000 to $75,000 range, again depending on the number of children registered for benefits.
Two simple income calculations make the new structure easier to understand.
| Household Profile | 2025 Net Income | Base Entitlement | 25% Boost | New Annual CGEB |
| Single individual at threshold | $45,000 | $533 | $133 | $666 |
| Single individual mid phase out | $50,000 | $308 (approx.) | $77 | $385 |
| Family of four at threshold | $45,000 | $1,066 | $267 | $1,333 |
| Family of four mid phase out | $60,000 | $316 (approx.) | $79 | $395 |
These are illustrative figures. Actual entitlements will vary based on the CRA’s final published thresholds for the 2025 base year and any indexation that applies to the 2026-27 benefit year.
Who May Miss the July Payment and Why
Even with the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit being more generous than the GST/HST credit it replaces, hundreds of thousands of Canadians could miss the July 3 deposit entirely.
The reasons fall into a handful of clear categories.
1. You Have Not Filed Your 2025 Tax Return
This is the single biggest risk factor. The July 3, 2026 deposit and every subsequent payment in the 2026-27 benefit year are calculated from your 2025 income tax return.
If you have not filed by the deadline, the CRA cannot calculate your new entitlement and your payment will be paused until your return is processed.
The same rule applies to your spouse or common law partner. Both partners must file, even if one had no income.
2. Your Income Has Risen Above the Phase Out Threshold
If your 2025 income was significantly higher than your 2024 income because of a new job, a promotion, a partner returning to work, or a one time capital gain, the new July assessment may push you out of eligibility.
Even households that received the June 5 top up may discover their July payment is reduced or zero.
3. You Are a Newcomer Who Has Not Applied
Newcomers, international students and work permit holders who arrived in Canada during 2025 or 2026 do not get the GST/HST credit or the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit automatically.
They must complete Form RC151 (GST/HST Credit and Climate Action Incentive Payment Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada) and submit it to the CRA before they can be added to the payment list.
4. Your CRA Banking Information Is Outdated
If you have closed the bank account linked to your CRA file, the deposit will bounce back and processing the resubmission can take weeks.
Direct deposit information should be updated through CRA My Account well before July 3 to avoid disruption.
5. You No Longer Meet Residency Requirements
Anyone who has left Canada permanently, lost their tax residency status, or whose temporary status has expired without renewal will not qualify for the July payment.
The benefit is restricted to Canadian residents for income tax purposes.
6. You Are in CRA Collections
If you owe debts to the federal government, including overpaid benefits, defaulted student loans or unpaid taxes, the CRA may offset your Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment against the balance owing.
The amount may be partially or fully redirected, even though you remain technically eligible.
The fix in most of these cases is straightforward: file your 2025 return on time, update your direct deposit information, notify the CRA of any address or marital status change, and submit Form RC151 if you are a newcomer.
Acting before mid June gives the agency enough time to process changes ahead of the July 3 cycle.
Bonus: Federal Fuel Tax Cut Also Coming In April
Alongside the June 5 top up, the Prime Minister announced this week that the federal fuel excise tax will be temporarily reduced to zero cents per litre starting April 20, 2026.
The temporary suspension applies to gasoline, unleaded aviation gasoline, diesel fuel and aviation fuel for which the tax becomes payable after April 19, 2026. It will remain in effect until and including September 7, 2026.
Ottawa estimates the cut will save Canadians roughly 10 cents per litre at the pump, providing additional relief for households dealing with both grocery and transportation costs through the spring and summer months.
Watch Out for Top Up Scams
Whenever a major CRA payment is announced, scam texts and emails ramp up. The agency will never ask you to confirm banking details by clicking a link in a text message.
If you receive an unexpected message about your June 5 top up, log in to CRA My Account directly to verify, and refer to the official fact check on misleading GST payment claims before responding to anything.
More background on the broader rollout is also available in the previously confirmed GST credit top up explainer and the latest CRA benefit payments roundup.
June 5, 2026 will be the largest single GST/HST credit deposit most Canadians have ever received.
July 3, 2026 will permanently raise the bar on every quarterly payment after that. Together, the two changes form the most significant overhaul of this benefit since it was introduced in 1991.
For households that already qualify, no extra paperwork is needed for the June 5 top up.
For everyone else, the path to qualifying for the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit runs straight through the 2025 tax return.
Filing on time is now the most important step any household can take to lock in the new payments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will the June 5 top up affect my other CRA benefits like Canada Child Benefit or OAS?
No, the top up is treated as part of the GST/HST credit, which is non taxable and does not count as income for any other federal benefit. Receiving it will not reduce your Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canada Workers Benefit advance payments or provincial credits like the Ontario Trillium Benefit.
Can the June 5 top up be garnished by the courts or claimed by a creditor?
Federal benefit payments like the GST/HST credit and the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit are protected from most third party creditors and garnishments, with limited exceptions for federal debts owed to the Crown such as unpaid taxes or defaulted student loans. Private creditors generally cannot seize these funds, although deposits sitting in a co mingled bank account can lose this protection in some provinces.
What happens if I get married, separate, or have a baby between now and July 3?
Major life changes must be reported to the CRA as soon as possible because they directly affect your entitlement. A new child can increase your payment, while a marriage or separation can change the household income calculation in either direction. Updates can be made through CRA My Account or by calling 1-800-387-1193.
If I move to a different province before July 3, will my benefit amount change?
The federal portion of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is the same nationwide. However, if you move to a province with a separate provincial top up tied to the GST/HST credit, your combined deposit may shift. The CRA will recalculate automatically once it processes your new address, so updating your file promptly is important.
Will the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit be considered income for student loan repayment or subsidized housing applications?
The benefit remains non taxable and is excluded from most income based federal calculations including the Canada Student Loan repayment assistance plan. Provincial programs and subsidized housing authorities each set their own rules, however, so anyone in geared to income housing or on a provincial drug plan should confirm directly with their administrator before assuming the new payment is fully exempt.
Fact-Checked: All the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment amounts, income thresholds, phase-out rates, CPI indexation figures, and July 2026 confirmed increases are sourced directly from the Canada Revenue Agency’s official publications.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Always verify benefit eligibility and amounts directly with the Canada Revenue Agency at canada.ca.
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