Canada launches one‑time benefit for 12 million households

Millions of eligible Canadians will begin receiving a one-time federal payment starting today, part of a suite of affordability measures first announced in January. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) payment is a top-up to the existing quarterly benefit program, which was previously known as the GST/HST credit.

An estimated 12 million Canadians qualify for the one-time payment, which is calculated as 50 percent of a recipient's total annual GST/HST credit amount for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit period. Eligibility is based on an individual's entitlement to the January 2026 GST/HST credit payment, determined by their 2024 income tax return. No separate application is required; payments are issued automatically via direct deposit or mailed cheque.

Payment amounts vary based on household size and composition. A single adult with no children can receive up to $267, while a couple with two children may qualify for as much as $533. For larger families, the maximum payment increases, reaching up to $717 for households with four children. Officials note that while the program has been renamed, payments may still appear as a "GST/HST credit" in bank records as...