Updated July 2026. Earlier forecasts expected a modest inflation-based adjustment to the GST/HST credit for the 2026-27 benefit year. What actually happened in July 2026 was bigger: the credit was renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), alongside a 25% increase in payment amounts — well above standard annual indexation.
What the GST/HST Credit (Now CGEB) Actually Is
This is a tax-free quarterly payment from the CRA that helps low- and modest-income Canadians offset the GST or HST they pay on everyday purchases. It reaches a wide range of recipients — workers, seniors, students, newcomers, and families with children — and is issued automatically based on your tax return, with no separate application required.
What Changed in July 2026
- The program name changed from the GST/HST credit to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)
- Payment amounts increased by 25% — significantly more than a typical annual inflation adjustment
- A one-time top-up payment was also issued on June 5, 2026, ahead of the transition
If you were already receiving the GST/HST credit, nothing changes on your end procedurally — eligibility rules and how your amount is calculated stay the same, and you don’t need to reapply or update anything with the CRA because of the rename.
2026 Payment Schedule
Payments are issued quarterly, generally on the 5th of January, April, July, and October, shifting slightly when that date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday.
Why This Matters
A 25% increase is a meaningful jump from the routine annual indexation this benefit has typically seen — it reflects a deliberate policy decision to boost support given ongoing cost-of-living pressures on groceries and essentials, not just a standard inflation catch-up.
Source: Canada Revenue Agency, GST/HST credit (now Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit) payment dates.
