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The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is the tax-free quarterly benefit that replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026. It helps eligible people and families with the cost of groceries and everyday essentials. The CRA, not this website, determines whether a person qualifies and how much they receive. Start with the official rules, then use your own CRA information to check a payment or resolve a problem.
For a quarterly payment, you generally must be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes at the end of the month before the payment and at the beginning of the payment month. You generally must also be 19 before the quarterly payment month. Someone under 19 may still qualify if they have or had a spouse or common-law partner, or if they are or were a parent living with their child.
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The 2026–27 payment period runs from July 2026 to June 2027, and the CRA uses the 2025 tax return to calculate the benefit. In most cases, there is no separate annual CGEB application. Filing a 2025 tax return, even with no income to report, allows the CRA to assess eligibility automatically. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, both returns and the household information can matter to the calculation.
The CRA says the benefit is based on adjusted family net income, marital status and the number of eligible children under 19. For the 2025 base year, its published annual maximums are $679 for a single person, $890 for a person who is married or has a common-law partner, and $234 for each eligible child under 19. These figures are maximums, not a promise that every household will receive that amount.
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CRA’s 2026 schedule lists July 3 and October 5 as CGEB payment dates. The annual amount is normally paid in four instalments, and if the calculated quarterly amount is less than $50 in July, the agency may send the annual amount as one July payment. Your CRA account can show the next expected payment, the amount, a statement of account and details of a recalculation, which is more reliable than trying to estimate from a bank deposit alone.
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Steps to check whether your payment is on track
- Confirm that your 2025 tax return has been filed and assessed; file even if you had no income to report.
- Sign in to CRA My Account and review Benefits and credits for your next payment date, amount, statement of account and any notice of determination or redetermination.
- Check that your address, direct-deposit details, marital status, residency and child or custody information are current.
- Compare the payment with the July 2026 to June 2027 period, rather than with an older GST/HST credit payment based on a different tax year.
- If a scheduled payment is not there, wait 10 business days after the expected date before contacting the CRA, unless the account or a CRA notice identifies a specific issue that needs action.
Documents and information to have ready
New residents may have a different first-year route. Before filing a first Canadian return, a new resident can apply using Form RC151. Where children under 19 are involved, the CRA’s instructions may require Form RC151 or Form RC66 and proof of birth for children who are being registered. Only one application per household is required. The official CRA page explains which option applies and where documents should be sent.
Common reasons a payment changes or stops
A payment can change after a reassessment changes adjusted family net income, when marital status changes, when the number of eligible children changes, or when a custody arrangement changes. The CRA may also stop payments temporarily if it needs information, if a return was not filed, if an address or bank account is out of date, if residency criteria are no longer met, or if an overpayment or government debt is being recovered. A CGEB notice of redetermination and CRA My Account can identify the calculation behind a change.
If you filed late, the CRA says it will determine entitlement after the return is assessed; amounts you are entitled to may be issued with the next scheduled payment. If you changed bank accounts, do not close the old account until the first payment arrives in the new one. If a mailed cheque may be delayed, check official delivery-service information and CRA guidance rather than responding to unsolicited messages.
When to contact the CRA
Use CRA My Account first for a payment status, notices and many personal-information updates. Contact the CRA after the 10-business-day waiting period if you still cannot explain a missing scheduled payment, or sooner when the account asks for information, your notice contains an error, or a change in residency, marital status, child information or direct deposit needs attention. Use contact details from Canada.ca, not a link in an unexpected text, email or social-media post.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply for the CGEB every year?
Usually no. File a tax return every year and the CRA automatically checks eligibility. New residents may need a first-year application before filing their first Canadian return.
Is the CGEB payment taxable income?
The CRA describes the CGEB as a tax-free payment. It is separate from the income information used to calculate whether you qualify.
Why did I receive one payment in July instead of quarterly deposits?
If the quarterly amount calculated in July is less than $50, the CRA may issue the full annual amount in July rather than make four small payments.
Can a family change affect the amount?
Yes. Marital status, eligible children and custody arrangements can change a calculation. Report changes promptly and review the CRA notice or account for the revised amount.
How long should I wait before calling about a missing payment?
The CRA advises waiting 10 business days after the scheduled payment date, after checking your account and personal information, before calling about an unexplained missing payment.
Disclaimer: This is general educational information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Benefit eligibility, notices and payment amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency using your individual tax and family information.
