Updated July 2026. On January 26, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) — a substantial enhancement of the existing GST/HST credit, aimed at helping more than 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians afford day-to-day essentials.
Two Parts to the Announcement
The CGEB builds directly on the GST credit rather than replacing its underlying structure. It combines:
- A one-time top-up payment in 2026 equal to a 50% increase in the annual value of the GST credit — delivering $3.1 billion in immediate support
- A permanent 25% increase in benefit amounts for five years starting July 2026, delivering an estimated $8.6 billion in additional support from 2026-27 through 2030-31, and extending eligibility to roughly 500,000 new individuals and families
How Much You Could Get
- Family of four: up to $1,890 in 2026 (the one-time top-up year), then roughly $1,400/year for the following four years under the enhanced rate
- Single person: up to $950 in 2026, then roughly $700/year for the following four years
If you already receive the GST/HST credit, you don’t need to apply separately or take any action — the CRA calculates and delivers the enhanced amounts automatically based on your existing eligibility.
Beyond the Direct Payment: Food Affordability Measures
The announcement also included funding aimed at the supply side of food costs:
- $500 million to address supply chain disruptions affecting food prices
- $150 million to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the food sector
- $20 million for local food infrastructure
These measures are aimed at improving domestic food production and supply chain resilience, alongside the direct household support.
The Program’s New Name
The GST/HST credit officially became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit as part of this rollout, with the enhanced rate and rename taking full effect starting with the July 2026 quarterly payment. If your GST credit deposits started showing up under a different name in your bank statement mid-2026, this is why.
Source: Department of Finance Canada, Backgrounder: The new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
