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Since July 2026, the GST/HST credit is paid as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). The rules for who qualifies and how the amount is worked out are the same, and the payment is larger. The CRA paid the first CGEB on July 3, 2026 and the second on October 5, 2026. Later dates were not published when we checked in October 2026.
Short answer: The Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026. It was paid on July 3 and October 5, 2026, and the 2027 dates are not published yet.
What are the payment dates?
| Payment | Date |
|---|---|
| Earlier GST/HST credit payment | January 5, 2026 |
| Last GST/HST credit payment | April 2, 2026 |
| First CGEB payment | July 3, 2026 |
| Second CGEB payment | October 5, 2026 |
| Next payments | Not published yet. They have usually been early January and early April |
How is the CGEB paid through the year?
The CGEB is paid quarterly and recalculated every July. The CRA bases the January and April payments on your adjusted family net income from your 2024 tax return, and the July and October payments on your 2025 return. If your amount works out to less than $50 a quarter, the CRA pays the whole year as one payment in July.
What changed?
- The benefit has a new name and replaces the GST/HST credit.
- The CRA says the amounts went up 25% from July 2026 for five years, from 2026 to 2031.
- Eligibility is the same as before, and you do not need to apply again if you already got the credit.
How much is it?
For July 2026 to June 2027 the CRA lists up to $679 for a single person, $890 for a couple and $234 for each child under 19. Your actual payment depends on your income. The GST/HST credit calculator gives an estimate.
Do you need to apply for the CGEB?
No, if you file a tax return, since the CRA considers you for the benefit automatically. New residents of Canada need to apply. If a young person turns 19, they should file a return for the previous year even with no income, because the CRA works out eligibility from it. If you file late, the CRA has to assess the return first, and any missed amounts are paid with the next scheduled payment.
What if a CGEB payment does not arrive?
Check your payment status in your CRA account, make sure your personal information is up to date, and read the CRA’s reasons for stopped or changed payments. If you still cannot see why, wait 10 business days after the expected payment date before you call the CRA. That is longer than the 5 business days for the Canada Child Benefit, which has its own page of CCB payment dates.
What do you need to do?
File your tax return every year, even with no income, and keep your address, bank details and family status up to date. See Is it taxable? for the tax treatment of benefits, and the guide to benefits and credits for the other programs.
Where does this information come from?
The dates and amounts come from the Canada Revenue Agency pages Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and payment dates. Dates after October 2026 were not confirmed when we checked. Checked in October 2026. This is an independent information site: we provide no services, we do not represent the CRA or any organization, and we do not guarantee that anything here is accurate or current. We accept no liability for decisions based on it. Check the official source before you rely on it. See the full disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?
It is the new name for the GST/HST credit, a tax-free quarterly payment for lower- and moderate-income people and families. The CRA says the rules for eligibility and calculation are unchanged, and the amounts went up 25% in July 2026 for five years.
When are the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment dates?
The CRA paid the first CGEB on July 3, 2026 and the second on October 5, 2026. Earlier in 2026 the GST/HST credit was paid on January 5 and April 2. The CRA had not published later dates when we checked in October 2026.
Do I have to apply for the CGEB if I already got the GST/HST credit?
No. The CRA considers you for the benefit automatically when you file your tax return, and eligibility is the same as for the old credit. New residents of Canada are the exception and need to apply.
How long should I wait before calling the CRA about a missing CGEB payment?
The CRA asks you to wait 10 business days after the expected payment date. First check your payment status in your CRA account, confirm your personal information is current, and review the reasons payments stop or change.
What happens if my quarterly CGEB amount is very small?
If the amount per quarter is less than $50, the CRA pays the full amount for the year as a single payment in July instead of four small ones.