Updated July 2026. Eligible Canadians received a one-time GST/HST credit top-up payment on June 5, 2026 — a bridge payment ahead of the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit that officially launched the following month.
How Much Was Paid
The top-up was equal to 50% of your GST/HST credit for the 2025-26 benefit year, so the exact amount depended on your income and family situation. As examples: a family of four with $40,000 in net income received a one-time top-up of $533, while a single person with $25,000 in net income received $267.
Who Was Eligible
If you filed your 2024 tax return and were entitled to the GST/HST credit in January 2026, you should have received this top-up automatically on June 5 — no separate application was needed. Payments went out the same way you normally receive the GST/HST credit: direct deposit or cheque.
What Comes Next: The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
This June 5 top-up was a transitional payment. Starting July 3, 2026, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaced the GST/HST credit outright, keeping the same eligibility rules and structure but with quarterly payment amounts increasing by 25% over the next five years.
Didn’t Get the Payment?
If you were entitled to the GST/HST credit but didn’t see the June 5 top-up, first confirm your 2024 tax return was filed and assessed, then check your CRA My Account for your GST/HST credit status and payment history before contacting the CRA directly.
For the official details, see the CRA’s announcement on Canada.ca.
Related Reading
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Not sure how this affects your own eligibility? Get a personalized report on your CRS score and which Express Entry or PNP category actually fits your situation.
