Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) (2026)
This page is the free guide. No sign-in. Read on.
If you just saw “CGEB” land in your CRA My Account and had no idea what it was, here it is in one line: it is the same payment you knew as the GST/HST credit, renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026 and increased by 25%. The eligibility and the calculation did not change. The name and the amount did.
What actually changed
- • The GST/HST credit was renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit effective July 2026.
- • A 25% increase started in July 2026 and stays at this elevated level through 2031.
- • Same eligibility and same calculation base as the old GST/HST credit: you do not re-apply.
- • Paid automatically when you file your taxes. Newcomers to Canada apply separately.
1
How much is it?
Open this section ↓The Department of Finance published these as ranges. They are kept exactly as stated: your own amount depends on your income and family situation, and is recalculated each July.
A single person
could receive up to $950 this year, and about $700 a year for the next four years.
A family of four
could receive up to $1,890 this year alone, and about $1,400 a year for the next four years.
Those are illustrative ranges from the government, not a guaranteed cheque: the CRA calculates your actual amount from your tax return. A one-time top-up was also paid in June 2026 (for example, $267 for a single senior and $533 for a family of four).
↑ Close this section2
When it is paid
Open this section ↓The benefit is paid quarterly: in July, October, January, and April, and recalculated each July from your previous year’s tax return.
Jan 5, 2026
paid as GST/HST credit
Apr 2, 2026
paid as GST/HST credit
Jul 3, 2026
first CGEB payment
Oct 5, 2026
CGEB
Under $50 a quarter is paid once, in July. If your quarterly amount would be less than $50, you receive the entire amount as a single payment in July rather than four quarterly ones.
The 2027 payment dates have not been published yet. Check the official payment-dates page for the current schedule: canada.ca: CGEB payment dates.
All federal benefit payment dates, with a calendar you can subscribe to →
↑ Close this section3
How you get it
There is nothing to apply for.Open this section ↓There is nothing to apply for. File your tax return each year and the CRA works out whether you qualify and how much you receive: the same as the old GST/HST credit. Newcomers to Canada apply separately (the CRA has a separate process for people who have not yet filed a Canadian return).
↑ Close this section4
More federal benefits
The CGEB is one of several federal benefits paid through the tax system.Open this section ↓↑ Close this sectionThe CGEB is one of several federal benefits paid through the tax system. See the full set of plain-language guides, including the Canada Disability Benefit.
5
Frequently asked questions
Open this section ↓What is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)?
It is the GST/HST credit, renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026 and increased by 25%. The eligibility and the calculation are the same as the old GST/HST credit, only the name and the amount changed. It is paid automatically if you file your taxes.
I just saw "CGEB" on my CRA My Account, is this a new benefit I have to apply for?
No. It is the payment you already knew as the GST/HST credit, under its new name since July 2026. If you file a tax return you receive it automatically: there is no separate application. Newcomers to Canada apply separately, the same as they did for the GST/HST credit.
How much is the CGEB?
The Department of Finance figures are given as ranges. A single person could receive up to $950 this year, and about $700 a year for the next four years. A family of four could receive up to $1,890 this year alone, and about $1,400 a year for the next four years. Your own amount depends on your income and family situation and is recalculated every July.
When is the CGEB paid?
It is paid quarterly: in July, October, January, and April. For 2026, the July 3 and October 5 payments are made under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit name (the January 5 and April 2, 2026 payments were made as the GST/HST credit). Your amount is recalculated each July from your previous year’s tax return.
Why did I not get a quarterly payment?
If your quarterly amount would be less than $50, you do not receive quarterly payments. You receive the entire amount as a single payment in July instead. Amounts are also recalculated each July, so a change in your income or family situation can change what you receive.
Official sources
Amount ranges are from the Department of Finance Canada news release (July 2026).
Facts checked September 2026 · Benefit figures re-index annually: verify current amounts and dates at canada.ca before relying on them.
↑ Close this sectionGuidepost is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice. Full disclaimer.