Canada Grocery Benefit 2026
Explain the 2026 grocery benefit context, eligibility questions, payment timing, and official-source caveats.
Explain the 2026 grocery benefit context, eligibility questions, payment timing, and official-source caveats.
Explain the 2026 grocery benefit context, eligibility questions, payment timing, and official-source caveats.
Starting July 2026, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) replaces the GST/HST credit. The CGEB provides larger quarterly tax-free payments to help lower- and modest-income Canadians cover the rising cost of groceries and everyday essentials.
If you currently receive the GST/HST credit, you don't need to do anything extra — the CRA will automatically switch you to the new benefit. The only requirement is filing your 2025 tax return by the April 30, 2026 deadline.
Looking for everything CGEB in one place? Visit the CGEB Hub for the calculator, eligibility checker, payment dates, and all CGEB articles.
| Payment | Date | Based On |
|---|---|---|
| 1st CGEB Payment | July 5, 2026 | 2025 tax return |
| 2nd CGEB Payment | October 5, 2026 | 2025 tax return |
| 3rd CGEB Payment | January 5, 2027 | 2025 tax return |
| 4th CGEB Payment | April 5, 2027 | 2025 tax return |
| Family Type | Max Annual Amount | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Single individual | $496 | $124 |
| Married / common-law (no children) | $650 | $162.50 |
| Single parent, 1 child | $650 | $162.50 |
| Couple, 2 children | $910 | $227.50 |
| Each additional child | +$130 | +$32.50 |
Amounts are estimates based on Federal Budget 2026 announcements. Final figures will be confirmed by the CRA.
Newcomers to Canada should file taxes even with no income — you may still qualify. See our newcomer landing checklist for more details.
| Feature | GST/HST Credit (Old) | CGEB (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Max single amount | $340/yr | $496/yr |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Taxable? | No | No |
| Application needed? | No (file taxes) | No (file taxes) |
| Start date | Ongoing since 1991 | July 2026 |
Estimate your current GST/HST credit before CGEB starts
Check eligibility for CCB, GST credit, and more
Full refund estimate for all provinces
Final GST/HST credit payment dates before CGEB
The full Canada Groceries Benefit toolkit — calculators, eligibility checks, and explainers. For the complete index, visit the CGEB Hub.