Starting July 3, 2026, eligible Canadians get larger tax-free payments through the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, with a 25% increase pending royal assent.

Starting July 3, 2026, eligible Canadians will receive increased payments through the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, a rebranded and expanded version of the GST credit. The benefit includes a 50% increase over six years, with a 25% boost beginning in July, contingent on Bill C-19 receiving royal assent. A one-time lump-sum top-up is expected as early as spring 2026. Payments will follow the existing quarterly schedule—July, October, January, and April—with the April 2026 payment unchanged. To qualify, individuals must have filed their 2025 tax return on time. The program, worth $11.7 billion over six years, aims to support low- and modest-income families with tax-free aid.