Sep 28, 2026
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), which was launched on June 5, 2026, will make its way to bank accounts or mailboxes on October 5, giving Canadians a financial reprieve from current inflationary pressures.
A replacement of the GST/HST credit, the CGEB could result in hundreds of dollars extra for Canadians — but there is a catch: Not everyone is eligible to receive this updated benefit.
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Here’s what you need to know before planning any purchases around this anticipated payment.
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Who can receive CGEB and who can’t
In order to receive the CGEB, you must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes in the month before the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) deposits a payment, and at the beginning of the month the payment is made.
Eligible Canadians must be 19 years of age or older — however, if you are under the age threshold, you may receive a payment if you are/were married or have/had a common-law partner. You may also receive the benefit if you are (or were) a parent and live (or lived) with your child.
In order to meet eligibility requirements, your 2025 tax return must be filed and your next income must be less than the maximum income level margin established by the CRA.
Once a tax return is filed and the CRA has deemed your eligibility, you will receive the payment via mail or e-transfer — no application necessary. However, newcomers to Canada may have to apply for this benefit if it is their first year of residence in the country.
You can simply log into your CRA account online to see if you will be receiving the CGEB on October 5.
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How much will you receive?
If you meet the qualifications for the CGEB, there are three factors that will determine how much you will receive:
- Your adjusted family net income
- Your marital status
- How many children under 19 are in your care and whether they qualify for the Canada Child Benefit, CGEB, or both
Single individuals may receive up to $169.75, while common-law spouses or married couples can receive up to $222.50. An additional $58.50 will be given for each eligible child under 19, while single-parent families can receive up to $111.25.
Parents with shared custody of a child/children may be entitled to a split payment.
If you filed your tax return after the initial July payout and are eligible for the CGEB, you will retroactively receive those missed funds, making your October payment a little larger.
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Writer and editor based in Toronto with experience in personal finance, insurance, arts and culture and branded content.
