The federal government has officially changed one of Canada’s most popular GST/HST credit payments into a new and improved Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. More than 12 million Canadians are about to see big changes in how they get money to buy groceries and other necessities. The law has already been approved by the Queen, so these changes are now law. But a lot of Canadians who thought they would get a bonus with their April GST deposit are now wondering what happened. The regular quarterly payment on April , 2026, did not include the promised 50% one-time top-up. The regular GST/HST credit payment on April , 2026, did not include the one-time top-up. The government has said that the one-time top-up will be paid by June 2026 at the latest, but it has not said when it will be paid.
Here is all the information you need about the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, such as when payments will come and how much you can expect to get.
What the New Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Is
What was once called the GST/HST credit is now called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
Bill C-19 from the federal government brought about this name change and big pay raises.
This benefit is meant to help Canadians with low or modest incomes pay for everyday things like groceries and household items.
Over the next six years, the program will give Canadian families and individuals an extra $11.7 billion in help.
There are two big parts to the change that will make payments a lot bigger.
Two Big Improvements to Payments
| Improvement | Amount | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| One-Time Top-Up | 50% more in the maximum annual GST/HST credit amounts for the benefit year 2026–27 | Paid by June 2026 at the latest to people who are eligible and entitled to the January 2026 payment |
| Ongoing Increase | The maximum annual benefit will go up by 25%. | Beginning with the benefit year 2026–27 and lasting for five years |
April GST Deposit Does Not Include 50% Top-Up Payment
A lot of Canadians thought that the promised one-time 50% top-up would come with their GST payment on April , 2026.
We thought that the extra top-up bonus would logically be added to the GST payment because the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will replace this credit payment starting in July 2026. However, it was not included in the April payment.
The government’s official promise says that the top-up will be paid by June 2026 at the latest.
The government said that the top-up would be sent out as soon as possible in the spring of 2026, but they promised that it would be paid by June 2026 at the latest.
According to official government sources, the one-time top-up will be paid by June 2026 at the latest.
Timeline for One-Time 50% Top-Up Payment
| Timeline Detail | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Regular GST/HST credit payment on April , 2026 | Paid for separately from the one-time top-up |
| Language of the government | As soon as possible in the spring of 2026 |
| The official deadline | June 2026 at the latest |
| Eligibility requirement | You must be an eligible and entitled recipient of the January 2026 Payment for GST/HST credit |
Rules for Who Can Get the 50% Top-Up Payment
There is a specific requirement for the one-time 50% top-up.
You had to meet the requirements to get the GST/HST credit payment in January 2026.
The CRA will automatically send you the top-up if you were eligible and entitled to the January 2026 GST/HST credit payment.
You don’t have to fill out a separate application to get this bonus payment.
The CRA will use the payment information you already have to send the top-up.
The top-up is exactly half of the total amount of GST/HST credits you are entitled to for the year 2026-27.
This one-time payment will give $3.1 billion more in help.
Maximum Amounts for the 2026-27 GST/HST Credit
The current GST/HST credit amounts are used to figure out both the top-up and the higher future payments.
These amounts are the most money that eligible recipients can get each year.
| Recipient Group | Maximum Amount Per Year | Quarterly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Single adult | $533 | $133.25 |
| Couple | $698.50 | |
| Child under 19 | $184 | $46.00 |
| Single Parent (First Child) | $184 more | $46 more |
New calculations for 50% top-up payments
The one-time top-up is equal to half of the GST/HST credit amount that a recipient is eligible to receive in 2026–27.
The amount of your top-up will depend on your income and family situation.
| Family Situation | Annual GST Credit | 50% Top-Up Amount |
|---|---|---|
| One person (maximum) | $533 | $266.50 |
| Single Senior with $25,000 in income | $533 | $267 |
| Couple (with no kids) | $698 | $349 |
| Couple with one child | $882 | $441 |
| Couple with two kids and an income of $40,000 | $1,066 | $533 |
| A single parent with two kids | $901.50 |
Examples of maximum yearly amounts based on a 25% rise
The first quarterly payment that shows the new 25% increase is due on July 3, 2026.
This payment will include the new 25% increase that will last for five years.
During this time, the higher amounts will be linked to inflation.
Over the next five years, this increase will provide an extra $8.6 billion in help.
The 25% increase will help 500,000 more people and families.
| Recipient Category | Current (2026–27) | 25% Increase | New Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Adult | $533 | $133.25 | $666.25 |
| Couple | $698 | $174.50 | $872.50 |
| Child under 19 | $184 | $46.00 | $230.00 |
| Couple with two kids | $1,066 | $266.50 |
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is still based on income, just like the old GST/HST credit.
The CRA figures out who is eligible and how much they should get based on the adjusted family net income that is reported on tax returns.
Canadians can find out more about their benefits by logging into CRA My Account or going to the official CRA benefit pages.
Dates for Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Payments in 2026 and 2027
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit should follow the same schedule for payments every three months as the old GST/HST credit.
Payments are made at the beginning of each quarter so that people can get their money right away.
| Payment Date | Type of Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April , 2026 | GST/HST credit | Regular payments every three months; no one-time top-up |
| By June 2026 at the latest | One-time top-up | a separate payment to people who are eligible and entitled to it in January 2026 Payment for GST/HST credit |
| July 3, 2026 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | The first quarterly payment shows the 25% increase |
| October 5, 2026 | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | Payment every three months that shows the 25% rise |
Requirements to Get the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
Who can get the Canada Groceries and Essentials The benefit is the same as the old GST/HST credit requirements.
- To get a payment from the CRA, you have to be a resident of Canada for tax purposes the month before the payment is made and at the start of the month when the payment is made.
- You must be at least 19 years old, or have a spouse or common-law partner, or be a parent who lives with their child.
- Your family’s adjusted net income must be in the range that is eligible for your family size.
- The CRA can only check your eligibility if you filed your tax return for the previous year.
- You don’t need to fill out a separate application besides your yearly tax return.
Full checklist of requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency | For tax purposes, you must have lived in Canada for the month before the payment and the month the payment is due. |
| Age/Status | You must be at least 19 years old, have or have had a spouse or common-law partner, or be or have been a parent and live or have lived with your child. |
| Filing taxes for payments made in January and April 2026 | According to your tax return for 2024 |
| Filing taxes for payments due in July and October 2026 | Based on your tax return for 2026 |
| Requirement for Top-Up | Must be a qualified and eligible recipient of the GST/HST credit payment for January 2026 |
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is a federal program that people in all of Canada can use.
Steps to Make Sure You Get Your Money
Recipients do not need to apply separately for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
- To get the extra payments starting in July 2026, you need to file your 2026 tax return.
- Check that the information for your direct deposit is up to date in CRA My Account.
- Let us know if your marital status, address, or number of children changes.
- Visit CRA My Account to check the status of your payment and the amounts you expect.
What to Do If You Don’t Get Your Top-Up
If you were eligible to get the January 2026 GST/HST credit payment but haven’t received it yet, you may need to be patient.
The payment might still come because the government guarantee lasts until June 2026.
- Check CRA My Account often to see if your payment has gone through.
- Make sure that your address and banking information are correct and up to date.
- If you still have questions after June 2026, call the CRA benefits enquiries line at 1-800-387-1193.
