Canadians Begin Receiving First Enriched Payments Under New Groceries and Essentials Benefit
On July 3, 2026, eligible Canadians started receiving their first quarterly payment under the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), which provides a 25% increase in support for five years.
The Government of Canada announced that on July 3, 2026, eligible individuals and families began receiving their first enriched quarterly payment under the newly launched Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). The benefit was introduced in January 2026 to assist more than 12 million Canadians affected by rising costs for food and essential goods.
The CGEB builds upon the existing GST Credit. Starting this month, recipients are seeing a 25 per cent increase in the value of the former GST Credit, which will remain in effect for five years. This ongoing enhancement is projected to deliver $8.6 billion in additional support over that period, including funds for 500,000 new individuals and families who previously did not qualify or receive the full amount.
This quarterly payment follows a one-time top-up distributed on June 5, 2026. That earlier payment provided a 50 per cent increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST Credit, delivering $3.1 billion in immediate assistance to current recipients.
For the 2026-27 benefit year, an eligible family of four can expect to receive up to $1,890 when combining the one-time top-up with the increased quarterly payments. A single person may receive up to $950 during the same period. Over the next four years, the average annual payment for a family of four is estimated at $400, while a single person’s average annual payment is expected to be $700.
Specific examples illustrate the impact on different household types. A single senior with a net income of $25,000 received a one-time top-up of $267 and will see a longer-term increase of $136, totaling $402. Similarly, a couple with two children and a net income of $40,000 received a one-time top-up of $533 and will experience an increase of $272, resulting in a total increase of $805.
The CGEB is designed to provide financial relief through both immediate and sustained support, aiming to improve the affordability of groceries and daily essentials for eligible households across Canada. Payments are issued quarterly in July, October, January, and April.