First Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Payment Goes Out Today: Check Your Eligibility and Amount

What this means for you: If you are a low- or modest-income Canadian, you may receive up to $679 (single) or $890 (couple) plus $234 per child each year, starting with a payment today, July 3, 2026. This new quarterly benefit replaces the old GST/HST credit and is designed to help with the cost of groceries and other essentials.

How much will you get?

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is paid quarterly. Today's payment is one-quarter of your annual amount. Here are the maximum annual amounts for the July 2026 to June 2027 period:

Single individual: up to $679 per year (about $170 per quarter)
Couple: up to $890 per year (about $223 per quarter)
Per child under 19: an additional $234 per year (about $59 per quarter)

Your actual amount depends on your adjusted family net income, marital status, and number of children.

Who is affected?

You may qualify if you:

Filed your 2025 tax return
Are a Canadian resident
Have an adjusted family net income below certain thresholds:
- Singles without children: below $60,012
- Families with four or more children: below $82,952

Even if you have no income, you can still receive the benefit—but you must file a tax return. New residents may need to apply for the first year.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) automatically determines eligibility based on your tax return. No separate application is needed.

Important: If your quarterly amount would be less than $50, you will receive the full annual amount in July instead of quarterly payments.

What you should do

File your 2025 tax return if you haven't already. This is the only way to get the benefit.
Check your CRA My Account to see your estimated benefit amount.
Use the CRA's online calculator to estimate what you'll receive.
If you haven't received a payment today and believe you're eligible, contact the CRA.
Remember: This benefit is not taxable and does not need to be reported on your tax return.

Future payment dates

2026: October 5
2027: Quarterly payments (dates to be announced)

Bottom line

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaces the GST/HST credit and provides quarterly payments to help low- and modest-income Canadians with essential costs. Today's first payment is automatic for those who filed their 2025 taxes. Check your CRA My Account to confirm your eligibility and amount. If you haven't filed your taxes yet, do so as soon as possible to receive future payments.

Source: OkotoksOnline.com