Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)

What is Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)?

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is the renamed former GST/HST credit, a tax-free quarterly payment for low- and modest-income Canadians. For the 2026-2027 benefit year it pays up to $679 (single) / $890 (couple), plus $234 per child under 19. The new name takes effect July 3, 2026, with a 25% increase to quarterly payments for five years and a one-time top-up of 50% paid on June 5, 2026.

Do I Qualify?

• You must be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes
• You must file your income tax and benefit return so CRA can assess eligibility
• You must be at least 19 years old, or have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner, or be (or have been) a parent living with your child
• Your payment amount depends on family income, marital status, and eligible children

How Much Can I Get?

For the 2026-2027 benefit year the maximum is up to $679 (single) / $890 (couple), plus $234 per child under 19 — so a couple with two children under 19 can receive up to $1,358 per year. Eligible recipients also receive a one-time June 5, 2026 top-up equal to 50% of their 2025-2026 entitlement under the former GST/HST credit, followed by regular quarterly CGEB payments starting July 3 with the legislated 25% increase. Calculation logic in BenefitCheck continues to use the existing program key until the post-transition rules are updated.

How to Apply

No separate application is required for most tax residents. File your annual income tax and benefit return and keep your CRA address, direct deposit, marital status, and dependant information up to date. Newcomers may need the same newcomer forms previously used for the former GST/HST credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Programs

• Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)
• Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) for Newcomers to Canada
• Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) When You Turn 19