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The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is the current name for the former GST/HST credit. If you are comparing an older notice with a newer payment, start with the program's identity: the Canada Revenue Agency says the GST/HST credit was replaced in July 2026 and that the eligibility, payment calculation and structure are the same under the new name.
The change did not remove the benefit's basic purpose. It remains a tax-free quarterly payment for individuals and families with low or modest incomes to help with everyday essentials. Related provincial or territorial amounts may also be included, depending on the program and your circumstances.
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The amount can nevertheless look different after the transition. The CRA states that July 2026 brought a 25% increase that remains for five years from 2026 to 2031. Your personal result still depends on the information used in the calculation, including adjusted family net income, marital status and eligible children.
Timing also matters. The benefit amount is recalculated every July using information from the previous year's tax return, and each payment period runs from July through June. For the July 2026 to June 2027 period, the CRA uses information from the 2025 tax return.
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Most people do not submit a separate application each year. The CRA automatically considers eligibility when the tax return is assessed, so filing every year remains the practical starting point even if there was no income to report. New residents can have a different first-year process.
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What remained familiar
- Tax return basis The CRA uses tax-return information to assess eligibility and calculate the amount.
- Quarterly payments Payments continue on a quarterly schedule across a July-to-June benefit period.
- Household details Income, marital status and eligible children remain relevant to the calculation.
- Tax treatment The payments remain non-taxable and are not reported as taxable income.
What is different now
The program name is now CGEB, and the amount increased in July 2026. Older January and April 2026 payments were made under the GST/HST credit name, while later payments appear under the new benefit name. A past record can therefore use the old label without indicating an error.
A one-time top-up was also issued on June 5, 2026 before the transition. That payment was separate from the regular quarterly CGEB amount. If you are reviewing a bank record or CRA statement, identify whether you are looking at the top-up, an older GST/HST payment or a regular CGEB payment before comparing totals.
How to check your own record
- File File the relevant tax return, even if you had no income to report.
- Sign in Open your CRA account and choose the Individual account.
- Find benefits On Overview, look under Benefits and credits for the expected payment.
- Review Open the CGEB entry, formerly the GST/HST credit, and compare the date, amount and statement of account.
- Update If your family situation or personal information changed, follow the CRA instructions to update the record or investigate a stopped payment.
Common reasons a payment looks wrong
A different amount does not by itself prove that the program rules changed for you. The previous year's tax return may have changed your adjusted family net income, your marital status or the number of eligible children. A late return can also delay assessment and payment. The CRA account and notice are more reliable than a bank description alone because they show the benefit period and entitlement details.
If the account still does not explain the result, gather the notice, payment date, tax-year information and any household-change details before contacting the CRA. Avoid treating a third-party calculator or an old GST/HST chart as a final answer when the current CGEB page or your account provides updated information.
Frequently asked questions
Did GST/HST credit eligibility change when CGEB began?
The CRA says the eligibility, payment calculation and structure stayed the same under the new CGEB name. Your actual entitlement can still change when your tax or family information changes.
Is the July 2026 increase the same for everyone?
The CRA describes a 25% increase to the benefit amount, but your payment depends on the information used for your household calculation, including income and family details.
Which tax return is used for July 2026 to June 2027?
The CRA says information from your 2025 tax return determines the CGEB amount for the payment period from July 2026 to June 2027.
Do I need to apply for CGEB every year?
In most cases, no separate application is needed. File your tax return each year so the CRA can assess eligibility automatically. New residents may need a first-year application.
Why does an older statement still say GST/HST credit?
Payments made before the July 2026 replacement used the former name. Older records can therefore say GST/HST credit while current records use Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit or CGEB.
This guide explains the transition using current Canada Revenue Agency information. Your notice and CRA account remain the best sources for your personal entitlement, payment amount and payment status.
