The CRA grocery rebate 2026 payment landed in bank accounts on October 5, the second quarterly deposit under the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the program that replaced the GST/HST credit in July. If you filed your 2025 return and qualified, the money should already be sitting in your account or on its way by cheque. The benefit is tax-free, and nothing needs to be reported on your return.
The change is bigger than a rename. Since July 2026, quarterly payments are 25 per cent higher, and Ottawa says that increase will stay in place until 2031. For the July 2026 to June 2027 period, the Canada Revenue Agency lists maximums of $679 for a single person, $890 for a couple and $234 for each eligible child under 19. Earlier this year, a one-time top-up equal to half of the old credit was paid on June 5. Most people do not need to apply, but newcomers often do. We’ll be updating this article monthly. This guide covers the CRA grocery rebate eligibility rules, the newcomer application steps, the payment schedule, processing times and what to do when the money does not show up.
CRA Grocery Rebate 2026 Key Highlights
| Item | Latest detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) |
| Previous name | GST/HST credit |
| Replaced the old credit | July 2026 |
| Latest payment | October 5, 2026 |
| Increase | 25 per cent for five years, 2026 to 2031 |
| Maximum for single person | $679 per year |
| Maximum for couple | $890 per year |
| Maximum per child under 19 | $234 per year |
| One-time top-up paid | June 5, 2026 |
| Payment frequency | Four times a year |
| Taxable | No |
| Tax return needed | Yes, filed every year |
| Newcomer form | Form RC151 |
Is the Grocery Rebate a New Payment or the GST Credit With a New Name?
It is the same program with a new name and a bigger cheque. The CRA states that the eligibility rules, the way the amount is calculated and the structure are the same as before. What changed is the size of the quarterly payments, which went up by 25 per cent from July 2026.
The legislation creating the benefit received royal assent in February, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the plan in late January. The government described it as help for people whose grocery bills have grown faster than inflation. The money is not restricted to groceries, though. You can spend it on anything.
CRA Grocery Rebate Payment Schedule 2026-27
The CRA pays the benefit four times a year. Your amount is recalculated every July using your previous year’s tax return. Payments in January and April use your 2024 return, while July and October use your 2025 return.
| Payment date | Program name on the payment | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| January 5, 2026 | GST/HST credit | 2024 tax return |
| April 2, 2026 | GST/HST credit | 2024 tax return |
| June 5, 2026 | One-time GST/HST credit top-up | 2024 tax return |
| July 3, 2026 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | 2025 tax return |
| October 5, 2026 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | 2025 tax return |
| January 2027 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | 2025 tax return |
| April 2027 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | 2025 tax return |
The CRA has not yet published the exact January and April 2027 dates on the page we checked, though early January and early April are the usual pattern. Sign up for the CRA payment reminder emails, which go out about a week before each deposit. If your quarterly payment would be less than $50, the CRA pays the whole year’s amount in one lump sum in July instead.
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How Much Is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in 2026-27?
Your payment depends on three things: your adjusted family net income, your marital status and the number of children under 19 in your care.
| Situation | Maximum per year | Approx. per quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Single individual | $679 | $169.75 |
| Married or common-law | $890 | $222.50 |
| Each eligible child under 19 | $234 | $58.50 |
Those are ceilings. As family income rises, the amount shrinks. To see where you land, use the CRA payments chart or the child and family benefits calculator linked below. Here is a quick estimator for the maximum:
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Calculator (July 2026 to June 2027)
Based on the CRA maximums for July 2026 to June 2027: $679 single, $890 couple, plus $234 per eligible child. Your actual amount falls as family net income rises. Single parents may receive extra for the first child, so check the CRA payments chart. Amounts under $50 per quarter are paid once in July.
The government gave two examples earlier this year. A family of four with $40,000 in net income got a $533 top-up in June plus a $272 increase for 2026-27, for a total gain of $805. A single person with $25,000 in net income got $267 in June plus a $136 increase, for a total gain of $402. Ottawa also said a single person could receive about $950 in 2026 when the top-up is counted, falling to around $700 in later years, and a family of four about $1,890 in 2026 and $1,400 later.
Who Is Eligible for the CRA Grocery Rebate?
The CGEB uses the same eligibility rules as the GST/HST credit. You generally qualify if you are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes and meet one of these conditions:
- You are 19 or older.
- You have a spouse or common-law partner.
- You are a parent and live with your child.
Your income must also fall below the cut-off for your family size. The CRA decides this automatically when your tax return is assessed. If you are turning 19, file your tax return the year before so your first payment starts on the payment date after your birthday, even if you had no income.
How to Apply for the CRA Grocery Rebate?
For most people, there is no application. You claim the benefit by filing your income tax return every year, even if you earned nothing. The CRA checks your eligibility during assessment, and the same filing also triggers related provincial and territorial programs.
The steps are simple:
- File your tax return by April 30 each year.
- Make sure your spouse or common-law partner files as well.
- Keep your address, marital status and children’s details current with the CRA.
- Set up direct deposit so payments arrive on the scheduled date.
- Watch your CRA account for your annual entitlement notice, which is sent only if you qualify.
CRA Grocery Rebate for Newcomers: How to Apply?
Newcomers are the main group that may need to apply. If you became a resident of Canada recently, you can apply before you file your first tax return, for the first year you are a resident for income tax purposes. Only one application per household is needed.
For a newcomer with no children, the CRA offers an online version of Form RC151. For a newcomer with children under 19, you must download and print Form RC151 and Form RC66, the Canada Child Benefit application, attach proof of birth for each child, and mail everything to your tax centre. If you use RC66, the information is also used for the related provincial or territorial benefits. Documents in a language other than English or French need an acceptable translation.
| Newcomer situation | What to submit | How |
|---|---|---|
| No children | Form RC151 | Online form |
| Children under 19 | Forms RC151 and RC66, plus proof of birth | Print and mail to your tax centre |
| After the first year | Annual tax return | File by April 30 |
After your first year, file a tax return like everyone else. That return keeps payments going.
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Processing Time: How Long Until Your Rebate Arrives?
The CRA has not published a fixed processing time for the CGEB application or for first payments, and timing depends on how quickly your return or form is assessed. Online tax returns often come back faster than paper ones, and paper-based RC151 and RC66 packages usually take longer. Once the CRA assesses your file and confirms you are entitled, you are paid on the next scheduled date.
If you file after July, you must wait until your return is assessed. Missed amounts are then paid retroactively in the next scheduled payment. Late filing can cause your payments to stop temporarily, so filing by April 30 is the safest route.
How to Check Your Grocery Rebate Payment Status?
Sign in to your CRA account, choose the Individual account, and find your next expected payment under Benefits and credits. Open the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit section (still labelled as formerly the GST/HST credit) to see your next payment date and amount, your payment schedule and your statement of account.
If you do not have an account yet, you can register for one using the link in the table below. Registering is also the easiest way to get your entitlement notice online rather than by mail.
Grocery Rebate Not Received?
First, check your CRA account for the payment status. Then confirm that your personal information is up to date, because a change in marital status, address or number of children can pause payments. If it still does not make sense, wait 10 business days after the expected date before calling the CRA.
There are also a few common reasons you may not get paid. The CRA may have applied your benefit to an outstanding balance you owe. Your return may not be assessed yet. You may have stopped being eligible because of income or residency. The CRA also noted that wildfires have delayed some benefit cheques, while direct deposits are going out as scheduled. If you need immediate help with a missing cheque, you can call 1-800-387-1193.
Common Mistakes That Delay the CRA Grocery Rebate
Many missing payments trace back to simple errors. People skip filing because they had no income. Couples forget that both partners need to file. Others change address without telling the CRA, or separate without updating their marital status. For newcomers, the biggest mistake is waiting until the first tax season and missing the early application route, or mailing an RC66 without proof of birth.
Direct deposit is another easy fix. Cheques can be delayed by mail disruptions, but bank deposits follow the calendar.
What the 25% Increase Means for Your Budget
For a single person at the maximum, the new annual amount of $679 works out to about $170 per quarter. For a couple it is about $222 per quarter, and each child adds roughly $58. That is real money but not a full grocery budget, which is why the government pitched the bump as help for people with low and modest incomes rather than a cure for food prices.
The bigger point is stability. The 25 per cent increase is scheduled to hold until 2031, and the benefit is indexed to inflation, so households can plan around it. If you have been skipping tax filing because you earn little, this is the strongest reason yet to file.
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Official Resources and Links for the CRA Grocery Rebate
FAQs About the CRA Grocery Rebate
What is the CRA grocery rebate?
It is the common name for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, a tax-free quarterly payment for people with low and modest incomes.
Is the grocery rebate the same as the GST credit?
Yes. The CGEB replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026 with the same rules and higher payments.
When is the next grocery rebate payment?
The latest payment was October 5, 2026. The next one is expected in early January 2027, and the CRA will confirm the exact date.
How much can I get?
Up to $679 if single, $890 if married or common-law, plus $234 for each child under 19, for July 2026 to June 2027.
Do I have to apply?
Most people do not. You just file your tax return. Newcomers may need to apply once.
Do I need to report the payment on my taxes?
No. The payments are not taxable.
Why was my payment less than expected?
Your income, family situation or a balance owing to the CRA can lower or redirect the amount.
Can I get the rebate without any income?
Yes, if you meet the other rules. File a return anyway so the CRA can assess you.
Who qualifies for the grocery rebate in Canada?
Canadian residents who file taxes, meet the age or family conditions and have income below the cut-off.
How do newcomers get the grocery rebate?
Apply with Form RC151 before filing your first return, adding Form RC66 and proof of birth if you have children.
What date does the grocery rebate come out?
Payments are made quarterly. The latest dates were July 3 and October 5, 2026.
Did the grocery rebate increase in 2026?
Yes. Payments rose 25 per cent in July 2026, and the increase lasts five years.
Is the grocery rebate paid monthly?
No. It is paid four times a year, with a lump sum in July if your quarterly amount would be under $50.
What if I filed my taxes late?
Your payments may pause, but once your return is assessed, missed amounts are paid in the next scheduled payment.
Can I get the grocery rebate if I just moved to Canada?
Yes, if you are a resident for tax purposes and meet the conditions. Apply in your first year.
Conclusion
The CRA grocery rebate 2026 is simpler than the headlines suggest. It is the old GST/HST credit under a new name, now 25 per cent bigger, and paid quarterly. Most people only need to file their tax return by April 30, keep their details current and use direct deposit. Newcomers should apply early with Form RC151, and with RC66 if they have children. The next payment is expected in January 2027. Check your CRA account for your exact amount, and come back each month for updates.
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