The next Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5, according to the Canada Revenue Agency. It is the last scheduled payment of 2026.
The benefit replaced the GST/HST credit this summer. It is tax-free and paid every three months, by direct deposit or cheque.
What you could get
The CRA bases the amount on your 2025 income and family situation. The July 2026 to June 2027 year pays up to these annual amounts, split into four payments:
- Single person with no children: up to $679 a year, about $169.75 a payment
- Couple with no children: up to $890 a year, about $222.50 a payment
- Each child under 19: $234 a year, about $58.50 a payment
Single parents get a larger amount for their first child. The benefit starts to shrink once family net income passes $46,432. Global News reports the cutoffs for the 2025 tax year are about $60,012 for a single person and $64,232 for a couple with no children.
Who qualifies
You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes. The CRA says you must also be at least 19, unless you have a spouse or common-law partner, or you are a parent living with your child. There is nothing to apply for if you filed your taxes. The CRA sends a notice only if you are entitled to a payment.
Check your payment
The CRA’s benefits calculator estimates your amount. You can see your next payment in CRA My Account. The CRA says to wait 10 working days after the payment date before contacting them about a missing payment.
More details are in the CRA’s benefit guide.
