The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) is a federal quarterly benefit paid by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026, continuing quarterly payments to eligible Canadians on the same payment schedule through the same CRA system.
The benefit amount is recalculated every July based on your previous year’s tax return. You receive payments four times per year, in January, April, July, and October. In 2026, the January 5 and April 2 payments were made under the former GST/HST credit; the July 3 and October 5 payments are the first payments under the CGEB.
2026 payment dates
Your benefit amount is recalculated every July based on your previous year’s tax return. You receive payments four times per year. The payment period begins in July and ends in June of the following year.
| Date | Program |
|---|---|
| January 5, 2026 | GST/HST credit (paid before CGEB replaced it) |
| April 2, 2026 | GST/HST credit (paid before CGEB replaced it) |
| July 3, 2026 | CGEB |
| October 5, 2026 | CGEB |
Each payment is based on a different tax year:
| Payment | Based on |
|---|---|
| January and April 2026 (GST/HST credit) | Your adjusted family net income from your 2024 tax return |
| July and October 2026 (CGEB) | Your adjusted family net income from your 2025 tax return |
If you turn 19 during the year
To start receiving the CGEB soon after you turn 19, file your tax return for the previous year — even if you had no income to report. The CRA will automatically determine your eligibility based on the information from your previous year’s tax return.
If you are entitled to receive the benefit and have filed your taxes, the CRA will issue your first payment on the payment date that comes after your 19th birthday.
For newcomers turning 19, refer to the CRA’s guidance on applying as a new resident of Canada.
If you file your taxes after July
The CGEB is recalculated every July based on your tax information from the previous year. If you file your taxes after July, you must wait until the CRA has assessed your tax return to determine if you are entitled to receive the benefit.
If any entitled benefit amounts were missed, you will receive retroactive payments in the next scheduled payment.
Check the status of your payment
You can sign up to receive benefit and credit payment reminders from CRA. The reminders are sent about one week before the payment is issued.
Using your CRA account
Sign in to your CRA account to view:
- Your next expected payment date and amount
- The status and amount of each payment for the year, from July to the following June
- Your statement of account for the benefit, including details about amounts, entitlements, dates, and balances
How to find your CGEB in your CRA account:
- Choose your Individual account
- On the Overview screen, find your next expected payment under “Benefits and credits”
- Select Benefits and credits to find detailed payment information
- Go to Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit) to find your next expected payment date and amount, payment schedule, and statement of account
If you have not received your payment
Small amounts paid as a lump sum: You will not receive quarterly payments if your benefit amount per quarter is less than $50. Instead, you will receive the entire amount as a single payment in July.
If you expected a payment and did not receive it, before contacting CRA:
- Check the status of your payment in your CRA account
- Make sure your personal information is up to date with CRA
- Check the reasons for stopped or changed payments on the CRA website
If you still do not know why you have not received your payment, wait 10 business days after your expected payment date before calling CRA.