Key Highlights

  • The Canada Revenue Agency is set to deliver the next quarterly payment of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit on October 5, 2026.
  • The CGEB is the new, enhanced benefit that replaced the GST/HST Credit in July 2026, and it is designed to help Canadians with low-to-modest incomes manage the everyday cost of groceries and other essentials.
  • It took effect in July 2026 and was built on the former GST/HST credit, with a 25% increase in support.
  • The federal government has committed to the enhanced benefit for five years, from 2026 to 2031, representing about $8.6 billion in additional support over that period.

The Canada Revenue Agency is set to deliver the next quarterly payment of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit on October 5, 2026. The CGEB is the new, enhanced benefit that replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026, and it is designed to help Canadians with low-to-modest incomes manage the everyday cost of groceries and other essentials. If you filed your taxes, you are automatically considered — there is no separate application to complete.

What the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Is

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is a tax-free payment made quarterly to eligible individuals and families. It took effect in July 2026 and was built on the former GST/HST credit, with a 25% increase in support. The federal government has committed to the enhanced benefit for five years, from 2026 to 2031, representing about $8.6 billion in additional support over that period. In practical terms, this means the credit Canadians used to know as the GST/HST credit is now larger and carries a new name. The GST/HST credit itself is no longer available, having been folded into the CGEB.

When the Payment Arrives

The next CGEB instalment is scheduled for October 5, 2026. Because the benefit is paid quarterly, eligible recipients can expect payments spread across the year rather than in a single lump sum. As with other CRA benefits, direct deposit is the fastest and most secure way to receive your money and is unaffected by any mail disruptions. Recipients who set up direct deposit through CRA My Account or their financial institution generally see funds arrive on the scheduled date.

How Much You Could Receive

For the base year running July 2026 to June 2027, the maximum amounts are up to $679 for a single individual and up to $890 for a married or common-law couple, plus up to $234 for each eligible child under 19. These are maximum figures, not amounts everyone receives. The actual payment depends on your adjusted family net income, your marital status and the number of eligible children under 19 in your care. Lower-income households generally receive amounts closer to the maximum, while the benefit is reduced as income rises.

Who Qualifies and What to Do

The CGEB is aimed at individuals and families with low-to-modest incomes. The most important step to qualify is simple: file your tax return. The CRA uses your return to determine whether you are eligible and to calculate your amount, so filing on time each year — for both spouses or common-law partners — is essential to keep payments flowing. Newcomers to Canada may need to complete specific forms to start receiving benefits before their first tax return is filed, such as Form RC66 for those with children or Form RC151 for those without. Keeping your address, marital status and banking information up to date with the CRA also helps ensure your payment is accurate and on time.

Conclusion

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is the CRA's enhanced replacement for the GST/HST credit, and the next quarterly payment arrives on October 5, 2026. Base-year maximums reach up to $679 for a single person, up to $890 for a couple and up to $234 per eligible child, with actual amounts depending on income and family circumstances. Filing your taxes is the key to being automatically considered.