New Canada Groceries Top-Up Payment For June 5 Officially Confirmed

The federal government has confirmed the delivery date for a significant affordability initiative in 2026: the One-Time Groceries Benefit Top-Up Payment. Millions of Canadians who qualify for the GST/HST credit will receive this one-time payment on Friday, June 5, 2026, as announced by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) from Vaughan, Ontario.

This bonus deposit is part of a larger transition. Beginning July 3, 2026, the GST/HST credit will be renamed and replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which will feature quarterly payments increasing by 25 percent over the next five years. The announcement was made by the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), on April 17, 2026.

The relief package is projected to assist more than 12 million Canadians facing rising food and household costs. Combined, the spring top-up and the increased quarterly payments are expected to provide billions of dollars in additional support to households over the next five years.

June 5 One-Time Groceries Benefit Payment At A Glance

• • Payment date: Friday, June 5, 2026

• • Payment type: One-time top-up of the New Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

• • Top-up formula: 50 percent of the 2025-26 GST/HST credit entitlement

• • Maximum (single individual): Up to $267 in top-up cash

• • Maximum (family of four): Up to $533 in top-up cash

• • Application required: No, payment is automatic for Canadians who received the GST payment in January 2026

• • Total Canadians reached: More than 12 million recipients

Who Gets the One-Time Groceries Top-Up Payment on June 5

The eligibility criteria for the June 5 deposit are straightforward but specific. You will receive the bonus payment automatically if both of the following apply to you and your spouse or common-law partner:

• • You filed your 2024 income tax and benefit return.

• • You were entitled to the GST/HST credit deposit issued in January 2026.

If you do not meet either condition, you will not receive the June 5 top-up. There is no option for late application for this specific bonus, although filing your 2024 return now can unlock other CRA benefits in the future. No new signup is necessary for those who qualify; the CRA will use the banking information already on file from the January 2026 GST/HST credit deposit to send the top-up to the same account. Recipients who get their CRA payments by cheque should expect additional processing time beyond June 5. Direct deposit remains the fastest and most reliable way to receive every CRA benefit.

Newcomers, Students and Temporary Residents

Newcomers, international students, work permit holders, and other temporary residents can also receive the top-up on June 5, but only if they were already enrolled in the GST/HST credit and received the January 2026 deposit. Anyone who arrived in Canada in 2025 or 2026 and has not yet applied through Form RC151 will not be included in this round.

How Much the June 5 Payment Will Be Worth

The top-up amount is calculated as exactly 50 percent of your total annual 2025-26 GST/HST credit entitlement. It is a one-time deposit, not a recurring quarterly payment, and will not alter the deposit made on April 2 retroactively. According to the CRA, an eligible family of four could receive up to $1,890 in total benefits across calendar 2026, including the June top-up and the July increase.

A single individual could receive up to $950 over the same period. The exact amount you receive will depend on income and family size. Here’s a breakdown of the standard 2025-26 maximums:

• • Single individual: $533 maximum annual GST/HST credit; up to $267 top-up

• • Married or common-law couple: $698 maximum annual GST/HST credit; up to $349 top-up

• • Per child under 19: $184 maximum annual GST/HST credit; up to $92 top-up

• • Family of four: $1,066 base; up to $533 top-up

Income will affect the amount received. The phase-out for the GST/HST credit begins once your adjusted family net income exceeds approximately $45,521 for a single filer and gradually decreases until the credit is eliminated. The specific threshold will vary based on family size and the number of children registered for benefits.

Real Calculation Examples Released by the CRA

To assist Canadians in understanding what to expect, the government has provided two specific scenarios:

• • Family of four: Net income of $40,000; June 5 top-up of $533; 2026-27 increase of $272; total new money of $805.

• • Single individual: Net income of $25,000; June 5 top-up of $267; 2026-27 increase of $136; total new money of $402.

Both examples assume the households qualified for the January 2026 GST/HST credit and continue to qualify under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit going forward. Families that lose eligibility due to an income increase will only receive the June 5 portion.

Why the Federal Government Is Issuing This Top Up

The June 5 deposit is framed by Ottawa as a response to grocery prices that have consistently outpaced general inflation for nearly six years. According to the CRA, food prices in Canada have risen faster than overall inflation since 2020, with the average household paying approximately $782 more for groceries than they would have if food costs tracked general inflation rates. Secretary of State Wayne Long acknowledged the financial strain many families face and stated that the one-time deposit aims to alleviate some of the checkout pressure for those in need. The June 5 top-up is projected to cost around $3.1 billion, while the anticipated increase in July is expected to provide an additional $8.6 billion in support over the next five years, totaling nearly $11.7 billion in relief.

New Increased Canada Groceries Benefit Payments Starting In July 2026

The June 5 top-up is just the beginning. A more significant structural change will take effect on July 3, 2026, when the GST/HST credit will officially be replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. This is not merely a name change; the new program will maintain the same eligibility criteria and quarterly payment structure as the GST/HST credit, but the actual dollar amounts deposited will be permanently larger.

How the Replacement Works

Starting with the July 3, 2026 deposit, every quarterly payment will be 25 percent higher than the equivalent GST/HST credit payment. This higher rate is secured for five consecutive years, extending the program through mid-2031. The eligibility criteria remain unchanged. Applicants must be Canadian residents for tax purposes, generally at least 19 years of age, with an adjusted family net income below specified thresholds.

The application process remains the same; filing your annual tax return is typically all that is required. Payments from July 3, 2026, onward will be based on your 2025 tax return, not the 2024 return, which is an important distinction many Canadians may overlook.

How Much the New Quarterly Payments Will Be

The 25 percent increase applied to the current GST/HST credit maximums provides a clear expectation of what households can anticipate:

• • Single individual: Old annual GST/HST credit: $533; New annual CGEB: $666; Approximate quarterly deposit: $166.50.

• • Married or common-law couple: Old annual GST/HST credit: $698; New annual CGEB: $873; Approximate quarterly deposit: $218.25.

• • Per child under 19: Old annual GST/HST credit: $184; New annual CGEB: $230; Approximate quarterly deposit: $57.50.

• • Family of four: Old annual GST/HST credit: $1,066; New annual CGEB: $1,333; Approximate quarterly deposit: $333.25.

These figures are illustrative and based on published GST/HST credit maximums. The CRA may also apply its annual indexation adjustment for the 2026-27 benefit year, potentially increasing the final numbers when the official enhanced amounts are released.

Income Thresholds and How Phase-Out Works

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will continue to be income-tested, similar to the GST/HST credit it replaces. Your adjusted family net income from your 2025 tax return will determine whether you receive the full amount, a partial amount, or nothing at all.

Single Canadians without children may start to see their entitlement reduced once their adjusted family net income exceeds about $45,521. This credit phases down at a rate of 5 percent on every dollar earned above that threshold until it reaches zero, generally between $55,000 to $66,000 depending on additional factors.

Couples and families with children have higher thresholds, as the base entitlement is larger. A family of four could still receive some Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit until their family net income surpasses the $65,000 to $75,000 range, depending on the number of children registered for benefits.

Who May Miss the July Payment and Why

Despite the generosity of the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit compared to the GST/HST credit it replaces, hundreds of thousands of Canadians could miss the July 3 deposit entirely for several reasons:

• • Failure to File Your 2025 Tax Return: This is the most significant risk factor. The July 3, 2026 deposit and subsequent payments for the 2026-27 benefit year are calculated based on your 2025 income tax return. If you have not filed by the deadline, the CRA cannot determine your new entitlement, and your payment will be delayed until your return is processed.

• • Income Exceeding the Phase-Out Threshold: If your 2025 income significantly exceeds your 2024 income due to a new job, promotion, or other factors, your July assessment may disqualify you from eligibility.

• • Newcomers Who Have Not Applied: Newcomers, international students, and work permit holders who arrived in Canada during 2025 or 2026 do not automatically qualify for the GST/HST credit or the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. They must complete Form RC151 and submit it to the CRA before being added to the payment list.

• • Outdated CRA Banking Information: If you have changed your bank account linked to your CRA file, the deposit may not process correctly, causing delays.

• • No Longer Meeting Residency Requirements: Those who have left Canada permanently or whose residency status has changed will not qualify for the July payment.

• • In CRA Collections: If you owe debts to the federal government, including overpaid benefits or unpaid taxes, your Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment may be offset against the balance owed.

 

To mitigate these risks, ensure you file your 2025 return on time, update your direct deposit information, and notify the CRA of any changes to your address or marital status. Submitting Form RC151 is essential for newcomers.

Bonus: Federal Fuel Tax Cut Also Coming In April

In addition to the June 5 top-up, the Prime Minister has announced that the federal fuel excise tax will be temporarily reduced to zero cents per litre starting April 20, 2026. This temporary suspension applies to gasoline, unleaded aviation gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel, remaining in effect until September 7, 2026. This cut is estimated to save Canadians about 10 cents per litre at the pump, providing extra relief for households facing rising grocery and transportation costs.

Watch Out for Top Up Scams

With each major CRA payment announcement, the prevalence of scam texts and emails tends to increase. The CRA will never ask you to confirm banking details via a link in a text message. If you receive an unexpected message about your June 5 top-up, log in to CRA My Account directly to verify the information.

For more information regarding the broader rollout, please refer to the official CRA benefit payments roundup.

June 5, 2026, is expected to be the largest single GST/HST credit deposit most Canadians have ever received, while July 3, 2026, will permanently increase quarterly payments going forward. The two changes represent the most significant overhaul of this benefit since its introduction in 1991. For households that already qualify, no additional paperwork is required for the June 5 top-up. Everyone else must ensure they qualify for the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit through their 2025 tax return.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will the June 5 top up affect my other CRA benefits like Canada Child Benefit or OAS?

No, the top-up is part of the GST/HST credit, which is non-taxable and does not count as income for other federal benefits. Receiving it will not reduce your Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, or other provincial credits.

Can the June 5 top up be garnished by the courts or claimed by a creditor?

Federal benefit payments like the GST/HST credit and the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit are generally protected from third-party creditors, with some exceptions for federal debts, such as unpaid taxes.

What happens if I get married, separate, or have a baby between now and July 3?

Major life changes must be reported to the CRA as soon as possible, as they directly affect your entitlements. Updates can be made through CRA My Account or by contacting the CRA directly.

If I move to a different province before July 3, will my benefit amount change?

The federal portion of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is consistent across the country. However, moving to a province with a separate provincial top-up may alter your total deposit. The CRA will automatically recalculate once your new address is processed.

Will the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit be considered income for student loan repayment or subsidized housing applications?

The benefit remains non-taxable and is excluded from most income-based federal calculations, though provincial programs may have different rules.

Reality Check

It is important to understand the risks and limitations associated with the One-Time Groceries Benefit Top-Up Payment and the upcoming changes to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria and file your tax returns on time to avoid missing out on these benefits. Keep in mind that as policies may change, it is wise to verify the latest information from the official Canada Revenue Agency website. Relying solely on unofficial sources or assumptions could lead to missed opportunities or misunderstandings regarding your benefits.