Updated: August 2026
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, also known as the CGEB, is a tax-free benefit designed to help eligible Canadians with low and modest incomes manage the rising cost of groceries and other everyday essentials.
The benefit officially replaced the former GST/HST credit beginning in July 2026.
Eligible individuals and families are automatically considered for the benefit when they file their income tax return, which means there is generally no separate application required.
The CGEB is paid quarterly. Beginning in July 2026, the benefit was increased by 25%, and the enhanced amount is scheduled to remain in place for five years, from 2026 through 2031.
In this guide:
What is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency.
It provides tax-free quarterly payments to eligible individuals and families with low or modest incomes.
The purpose of the program is to help households deal with the cost of everyday necessities such as groceries and other essential expenses.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is not a loan. Eligible payments do not need to be repaid simply because you received the benefit correctly.
Did the Canada Groceries Benefit replace the GST/HST credit?
Yes.
The former GST/HST credit was replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit beginning in July 2026.
The January and April 2026 quarterly payments were still issued under the former GST/HST credit.
The July and October 2026 quarterly payments are issued under the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
Why was the benefit changed?
The federal government announced the new benefit as additional support for Canadians facing higher grocery and everyday living costs.
Beginning in July 2026, the value of the benefit increased by 25%.
That enhanced amount is scheduled to remain for five benefit years, from 2026-27 through 2030-31.
How much is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
Your exact benefit depends on your adjusted family net income, marital status, number of children and other circumstances.
For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, maximum base amounts include:
| Household situation | Maximum base amount |
|---|---|
| Single individual | Up to C$679 |
| Married or common-law couple | Up to C$890 |
| Each eligible child under 19 | Up to C$234 |
These figures represent maximum amounts before the income-based reduction that may apply to a particular household.
A household with children may receive a higher total benefit than a household without children because an additional amount can be included for each eligible child.
How much could a family of four receive?
The Government of Canada has provided examples showing the impact of the enhanced benefit.
For example, a couple with two children and approximately C$40,000 in net income could receive a total of about C$1,890 for the 2026-27 benefit year when the June 2026 one-time top-up is included.
A single senior with approximately C$25,000 in net income could receive about C$950 for the 2026-27 benefit year when the one-time top-up is included.
These are illustrative examples and should not be treated as guaranteed payments for every household.
What was the one-time June 2026 payment?
In addition to the regular benefit increase, eligible Canadians received a one-time top-up payment on June 5, 2026.
The top-up was linked to the former GST/HST credit and was issued before the CGEB regular quarterly payments began.
| Household | Maximum June 2026 top-up |
|---|---|
| Single person with no children | Up to C$267 |
| Single parent with 1 child | Up to C$441 |
| Household with 2 children | Up to C$533 |
| Household with 3 children | Up to C$625 |
| Household with 4 or more children | Up to C$717 |
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment dates for 2026
The benefit is normally paid four times per year.
Because the new CGEB replaced the GST/HST credit only in July 2026, the transition year has two payments under the old name and two under the new name.
| Date | Program name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| January 5, 2026 | GST/HST credit | Paid before CGEB replacement |
| April 2, 2026 | GST/HST credit | Paid before CGEB replacement |
| July 3, 2026 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | First regular CGEB payment |
| October 5, 2026 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | Next scheduled 2026 payment |
As of August 2026, the next Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment is scheduled for October 5, 2026.
Is the CGEB paid monthly?
No.
Unlike the Canada Child Benefit, which is usually paid monthly, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is normally paid quarterly.
That means eligible recipients generally receive four payments during a full benefit year.
Who is eligible for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
Eligibility is based primarily on your family situation and adjusted family net income.
You may be entitled to receive the benefit if your adjusted family net income is below the applicable maximum income threshold.
The threshold differs depending on whether you are:
- single;
- married;
- living common-law;
- a single parent;
- a couple with children;
- or part of another eligible household configuration.
How does income affect the benefit?
The CGEB is income-tested.
This means lower- and modest-income households can receive the highest benefit amounts, while payments gradually decline as adjusted family net income increases.
Eventually, once income reaches the applicable maximum threshold, the benefit may be reduced to zero.
Which year’s income is used?
For payments from July 2026 through June 2027, the CRA generally uses information from your 2025 income tax return.
The benefit is recalculated each July.
Can your payment change during the year?
Yes.
Changes in family circumstances can affect the benefit.
Examples include:
- marriage;
- common-law relationship;
- separation;
- divorce;
- birth of a child;
- change in custody;
- change in residency;
- death of a spouse;
- other changes affecting family income or household composition.
You should keep your CRA information current.
Do you need to apply for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
In most cases, there is no separate application.
When you file your tax return, the CRA automatically considers whether you qualify for the benefit and for certain related provincial or territorial programs.
File your taxes every year, even if you had little or no income. Your tax return is used to determine eligibility for several federal benefits and credits.
Why is filing your tax return important?
The CRA recalculates CGEB payments each July based on the previous year’s adjusted family net income.
The CRA recommends filing your income tax return by April 30 each year to help prevent interruptions in benefit payments.
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, both individuals generally need to file their tax returns for benefits to be calculated properly.
Can you receive CGEB if you have no income?
Potentially, yes.
Having little or no income does not mean you should skip filing a tax return.
In fact, filing may be necessary for the CRA to determine whether you qualify for the benefit.
Can newcomers to Canada receive the benefit?
Eligibility depends on residency and tax circumstances.
Newcomers should review current CRA guidance regarding benefits for new residents and make sure their family and immigration information has been properly reported.
Can seniors receive the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
Yes, eligible seniors may receive the benefit if they meet the applicable income and residency criteria.
The Government of Canada has specifically used examples involving lower-income seniors when explaining the enhanced 2026 benefit.
Can students receive the CGEB?
Some students may qualify depending on their age, income, residency and other eligibility rules.
Filing an income tax return is important even if your income was relatively low.
Is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit taxable?
No.
The benefit is tax-free.
Receiving it does not mean that the benefit itself is added to your taxable employment income.
Does receiving CCB stop you from receiving CGEB?
Not necessarily.
The Canada Child Benefit and Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit are separate programs with different calculation rules.
An eligible family may potentially receive both.
Canada Child Benefit 2026: Payment Dates and Amounts →
CGEB vs Canada Child Benefit
| Benefit | Payment frequency | Main target |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | Quarterly | Eligible low- and modest-income individuals and families |
| Canada Child Benefit | Monthly | Eligible families with children under 18 |
Can provincial benefits be included?
Yes.
Certain provincial and territorial programs may be administered together with the federal benefit.
The specific programs and amounts depend on where you live.
What if your payment does not arrive?
If you were expecting a payment and did not receive it, first check the official payment date.
Then review:
- your CRA account;
- direct deposit information;
- tax filing status;
- marital status;
- address;
- notices from the CRA.
The CRA advises recipients to allow processing time before reporting a missing payment.
How to receive payments faster
Direct deposit can help payments reach your bank account without waiting for a cheque in the mail.
Use official CRA services to add or update direct deposit information.
The CRA does not require you to pay a fee, send a gift card or make a cryptocurrency transfer to “unlock” your Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
How can you estimate your benefit?
The Canada Revenue Agency provides official benefit calculation tools and payment charts.
You can use these resources to estimate whether your family may qualify and approximately how much you could receive.
Use the Official CRA Benefits Calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
It is a tax-free quarterly benefit for eligible Canadians with low or modest incomes. It replaced the former GST/HST credit beginning in July 2026.
When is the next CGEB payment in 2026?
The next scheduled payment after July is October 5, 2026.
How much can a single person receive?
For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, the maximum base amount for a single individual is up to C$679 before income-based reductions.
How much can a couple receive?
The maximum base amount for a married or common-law household is up to C$890, with additional amounts potentially available for eligible children.
How much is added per child?
Up to C$234 may be included for each eligible child under age 19 for the applicable benefit year, subject to the household calculation.
Do I need to apply separately?
Generally no. Filing your tax return allows the CRA to automatically determine whether you may qualify.
Is CGEB the same as the GST/HST credit?
The CGEB replaced the GST/HST credit beginning in July 2026 and includes an enhanced benefit amount.
Is the CGEB paid every month?
No. It is normally paid four times per year.
Is the benefit taxable?
No. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is tax-free.
Can I receive CGEB and CCB at the same time?
Potentially yes. They are separate benefits and have different eligibility calculations.
What should you do now?
- Make sure your 2025 tax return has been filed.
- Confirm your marital and family information with the CRA.
- Check your CRA My Account.
- Verify direct deposit information.
- Check the official payment calendar.
- Use the CRA benefits calculator if you want an estimate.
Official sources
Canada Revenue Agency — Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
CRA — How Much You Can Get
CRA — CGEB Payment Dates
CRA — Who Is Eligible
CRA — How to Get the Benefit
Editorial disclaimer:
This article is provided for informational purposes only. Calendário Hoje is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency. Benefit amounts, eligibility rules and payment dates may change. Always confirm your individual situation using official Government of Canada resources.