Canadians to get new government grocery rebate top-up this month

Canadians could see extra cash hit their bank accounts as the government's new grocery rebate top-up is expected to be deposited in June.

As the cost of groceries continues to rise across Canada, the government's new grocery rebate is expected to help offset some of those expenses. In January, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) would replace the GST/HST credit in July 2026.

In April, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) stated that Canadians who meet the eligibility requirements will receive a one-time GST/HST credit top-up ahead of its transition into the new grocery rebate on Friday, June 5, 2026.

The money is a one-time payment, and Canadians will receive a top-up equal to 50 per cent of the GST credit for the 2025 to 2026 benefit year.

"We know that many Canadians are feeling the pinch when buying groceries and necessities," stated Wayne Long, secretary of state (CRA and financial institutions).

Are you eligible?

You could qualify to receive this payment if you meet certain requirements.

If you filed your 2024 tax returns and received the GST credit in January 2026, you should receive this one-time top-up on Friday, June 5. According to the government, the payments will provide Canadians who currently receive the GST credit with $3.1 billion in immediate assistance.

It's important to note that when you receive the new payment, it might still show up as the GST credit in your account.

As for how much you could receive, that depends on your family and income.

A single senior with $25,000 in net income would receive a one-time top-up of $267, while a couple with two children with $40,000 in net income would receive a one-time top-up of $533.

How the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit works

After eligible Canadians receive the top-up in June, the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will officially kick in at the start of the new benefit year in July.

According to the CRA, the first grocery rebate will be deposited on July 3. It will provide higher payment amounts while maintaining the eligibility and structure of the GST credit.

Quarterly payments of the grocery rebate will increase by 25 per cent for the next five years. The federal government says this boost will deliver $8.6 billion in additional support over the 2026-2027 to 2030-2031 period to 500,000 new individuals and families.

Including the one-time top-up, the CRA says a family of four could receive up to $1,890 in 2026. A single person could get up to $950 this year.

"Since 2020, food prices have risen faster than overall inflation, costing the average household $782," stated the CRA. "The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will help offset increased grocery bills beyond the inflation rate."