Anyone checking their July benefit information may notice a different name. The former GST/HST credit is now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, or CGEB.
The July payment was also higher. Regular quarterly amounts increased by 25% beginning in July 2026, with the increase scheduled to remain in place for five years. Despite the new name and higher payments, the eligibility rules, calculation method and quarterly structure remain the same as they were under the GST/HST credit.
Most people do not need to apply separately. The CRA checks eligibility when it assesses an annual income tax return.
What Changed in July 2026?
The GST/HST credit was renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit when the CGEB replaced it in July 2026.
It remains a tax-free quarterly payment for eligible individuals and families with low or modest incomes. Depending on where the recipient lives, a payment may also include amounts from related provincial or territorial programs.
People who were already receiving the GST/HST credit did not need to reapply because of the change. The CRA continues to use income tax returns and household information to determine eligibility and payment amounts.
How Much Did the Benefit Increase?
Regular CGEB amounts increased by 25% beginning with the July 2026 payment. The increase is scheduled to remain for five years.
There is no single payment amount for every recipient. The CRA considers adjusted family net income, marital status, and the number of eligible children registered for the benefit. Shared custody and later reassessments can also affect the calculation.
Examples and published maximums can help explain how the benefit works, but they do not confirm what a particular person or household will receive.
What Was the June 5, 2026 Top-Up?
Before regular CGEB payments began, eligible recipients received a separate one-time GST/HST credit top-up on June 5, 2026.
The payment generally provided an additional amount equal to 50% of the recipient’s total annual GST/HST credit for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit period. It was based on the recipient’s family situation in January 2026 and adjusted family net income from their 2024 tax return. Related provincial and territorial benefit amounts were not included in the top-up.
To receive it, an individual generally needed to have filed a 2024 tax return and been entitled to the January 2026 GST/HST credit payment. The top-up may still appear under the GST/HST credit name in CRA records or on a bank statement because it was issued before the CGEB formally replaced the credit.
The June top-up and the higher quarterly payments are separate measures:
- June 5, 2026: One-time GST/HST credit top-up
- July 3, 2026 onward: Regular CGEB payments reflecting the 25% increase
What Are the 2026 CGEB Payment Dates?
The first regular payment under the CGEB name was issued on July 3, 2026. The next scheduled payment is October 5, 2026.
The full 2026 schedule is:
- January 5, 2026, issued as a GST/HST credit payment
- April 2, 2026, issued as a GST/HST credit payment
- July 3, 2026, issued as a CGEB payment
- October 5, 2026, issued as a CGEB payment
The January and April payments were based on adjusted family net income reported on 2024 tax returns. The July and October payments are based on 2025 returns.
The CRA recalculates entitlement each July using information from the previous year’s return. The payment period based on a 2025 return runs from July 2026 to June 2027.
Who May Qualify for the CGEB?
CGEB eligibility depends on residency, age, income, and household circumstances.
A person must generally be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes at the end of the month before a payment and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA issues it. The recipient must also usually be at least 19 years old.
Someone under 19 may qualify if they have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner, or if they are or were a parent living with their child.
A person can qualify even if they had little or no income during the year. A tax return still needs to be filed so the CRA can assess eligibility.
For spouses and common-law partners who live together, the CRA uses adjusted family net income when calculating the benefit.
Do You Have to Apply?
Most people do not submit a separate application. Filing an income tax return each year is usually enough for the CRA to consider them for the CGEB and related provincial or territorial benefits.
A return should be filed even when there is no income to report. The CRA advises filing by April 30 to help prevent an interruption to quarterly payments. If a return is filed late, payments may stop temporarily until it has been assessed. Any missed amount will be paid later if the individual is entitled to receive it.
New residents may need to apply during their first year in Canada before filing their first Canadian tax return. The process differs depending on whether the household includes children under 19.
Why Current Household Information Matters
The CRA calculates the benefit using the information in its records. A change in marital status, custody, address, banking information, or the number of eligible children may affect future payments.
Marriage or a new common-law relationship can change the family income used in the calculation. A separation or custody change can also affect who receives the child support amount.
Payments may be adjusted after the CRA reassesses the recipient’s return or the return of a spouse or common-law partner. Keeping household details current helps reduce the risk of missed payments, underpayments or amounts that later need to be repaid.
What Should You Do Now?
- File any outstanding personal income tax returns.
- Check that your marital status, address and information about children are correct with the CRA.
- Confirm that your direct-deposit details are current.
- Sign in to CRA My Account to review your payment information.
- Keep the tax returns and CRA notices connected with the calculation.
- Follow up if a payment stops or does not reflect your current circumstances.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit continues the structure of the former GST/HST credit, but the higher payments make current filings and household details especially important. If your returns are outstanding or your CRA information needs to be corrected, Ebrahimjee & Essaji Professional Accountants can help review the available records and explain the appropriate next steps.
This article provides general information as of July 2026. Eligibility and payment amounts depend on individual circumstances. Government programs, payment dates, and CRA procedures may change.