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The next Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) payment is coming on October 5, 2026.
The CGEB is a tax-free federal benefit for individuals and families with low and modest incomes. It replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026, with benefit amounts increasing by 25 percent. The higher amounts will remain in place for five years, from 2026 to 2031.
For newcomers, everyday costs such as groceries and household essentials can take up a significant part of the budget, particularly when you are still getting established in Canada. If you are eligible, the CGEB can provide some additional support with these expenses.
If you qualify, you generally receive the CGEB every three months. How much you receive depends on your income, marital status, and number of eligible children.
Key Takeaways
- Next CGEB payment: October 5, 2026
- Payment frequency: Four times a year, generally in January, April, July and October
- Maximum CGEB amount: Up to $679 for a single person, $890 for a couple, plus $234 per eligible child
- Application Needed? Most people do not need to apply. Newcomers may need to apply before filing their first Canadian tax return
What Is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is the replacement for the former GST/HST credit.
The federal government introduced the new benefit in 2026 to provide additional financial support for people with low and modest incomes. The basic structure and eligibility rules remained the same as the GST/HST credit, but regular benefit amounts increased by 25 percent. That increase is scheduled to remain in place for five years, through 2031.
For newcomers who are still getting established in Canada, even smaller quarterly payments can help with everyday expenses. Importantly, eligible newcomers may be able to receive the CGEB before they have filed their first Canadian tax return.
Before regular CGEB payments began in July 2026, the federal government also issued a one-time top-up on June 5, 2026.
That payment was equal to 50 percent of a recipient’s GST/HST credit for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year. It was based on information from the recipient’s 2024 tax return.
The June payment was separate from the regular quarterly CGEB. Regular payments then began on July 3, 2026.
Who Is Eligible for the CGEB?
The CGEB is aimed at people and families with low and modest incomes.
To qualify for the CGEB, you generally need to:
- Be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes in the month before the payment and at the beginning of the month in which the payment is issued.
- Be at least 19 years old. If you are under 19, you may still qualify if you have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner, or if you are or were a parent who lives or lived with your child.
- Have an adjusted family net income below the applicable threshold for your family situation. You can still qualify if you had no income during the year.
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, the CRA uses your combined adjusted family net income to calculate your benefit.
When Is the Next CGEB Payment?
The next Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment is scheduled for October 5, 2026.
This is the second regular CGEB payment since the benefit replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026. The first regular CGEB payment was issued on July 3.
CGEB Payment Dates for 2026 and 2027
Regular Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payments began in July 2026.
Before that, eligible Canadians received a one-time CGEB top-up on June 5, 2026. The one-time payment was equal to 50 percent of the GST/HST credit a recipient was entitled to receive for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year.
The current CGEB benefit year runs from July 2026 to June 2027. Payments are based on your 2025 adjusted family net income and are issued four times during the benefit year.
There are four regular CGEB payments through the year: July, October, January, and April.
Upcoming CGEB Payment Dates 2026-2027
- October 5, 2026
- January 5, 2027
- April 5, 2027
Your CGEB entitlement will be recalculated for the next benefit year using your 2026 tax return, with the new payment cycle beginning in July 2027.
How Much Is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
For the July 2026 to June 2027 payment period, the maximum annual CGEB amounts are:
- Single individual: Up to $679 per year
- Married or common-law couple: Up to $890 per year
- Each eligible child under 19: Up to an additional $234 per year
For example, a married or common-law couple with two eligible children could receive up to $1,358 per year.
That said, these are annual maximums and your actual payment could be lower. The CRA calculates your benefit using your adjusted family net income, marital status, and number of eligible children. Payments gradually decrease as income rises.
For example, a single person without children can receive a maximum of $679 for the current benefit year. To qualify, a single person without children must have a 2025 adjusted family net income below $60,012.
For a married or common-law couple without children, the maximum income threshold is $64,232. Families with children have higher thresholds.
These are annual amounts. The CGEB is normally divided into four quarterly payments. However, if your calculated quarterly payment is less than $50, the CRA generally pays your entire annual entitlement as one payment in July rather than sending four smaller payments.
If you have a CRA account, you can check your individual payment amount under the Benefits and credits section.
Do You Pay Tax on CGEB Payments?
No, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is a tax-free CRA benefit payment.
You do not have to include CGEB payments as taxable income when you file your Canadian income tax return.
Receiving the benefit also does not prevent you from qualifying for other federal benefits. Depending on your circumstances, you could also qualify for payments such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), or other federal, provincial and territorial benefits.
What If You Did Not Receive Your CGEB Payment?
If you expected a CGEB payment but it did not arrive, first check your CRA account. Under Benefits and credits, you can see your expected payment date, amount and payment history.
You should also check that your address, marital status, banking information and other personal details are current.
If you filed your tax return late, the CRA may need to assess your return before determining your CGEB entitlement. Any payments you were eligible for will be issued after your return is assessed.
The CRA recommends waiting 10 business days after the scheduled payment date before contacting them about a missing CGEB payment.
Do You Need to Apply for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
For most people, there is no separate CGEB application.
You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, should file your income tax returns every year. The CRA uses your tax information to determine whether you qualify and how much you should receive. You should file even if you had no income.
Your CGEB amount is recalculated every July using your tax return from the previous year.
For example, your 2025 tax return determines your payments from July 2026 through June 2027. Your 2026 tax return will be used to calculate payments beginning in July 2027.
If you are a newcomer and have not yet filed your first Canadian tax return, you may need to apply for the CGEB separately.
How to Apply for the CGEB as a Newcomer to Canada
If you recently moved to Canada and have not yet filed a Canadian tax return, you may need to apply for the CGEB.
If you do not have children, you can apply using Form RC151, Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada.
You may need to provide information including:
- Your date of entry into Canada
- Your immigration status
- Your marital status
- Your income before you became a resident of Canada
- Your spouse or common-law partner’s income, if applicable
If you have children under 19, you should instead apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). The CRA will use the information from your CCB application to determine whether you also qualify for the CGEB.
After filing your first Canadian tax return, you must continue filing a return every year to maintain your eligibility for the CGEB. The CRA will use your tax returns to determine your future CGEB eligibility and payment amounts.
The CGEB may not cover all of your rising grocery and household costs, but it is one of several tax-free benefits that can provide additional support to eligible low- and modest-income households throughout the year.
