Eligible Canadians are receiving a one-time federal payment today as the government rolls out the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which replaces the old GST/HST credit program.
The federal government estimates roughly 12 million Canadians qualify. If you received the GST/HST credit before, you will likely receive the new benefit automatically.
Barrie's News Delivered To Your Inbox
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
What's happening today
Today's payment is a one-time GST/HST top-up, designed to cover the gap between the old program and the new one. It is based on your 2024 tax return.
The amounts vary depending on household type. Single people with no children can receive up to $267, and single parents with four children can receive up to $717. Couples without children can receive a maximum of $349, while couples with four kids are eligible for the same $717 ceiling as single parents.
To qualify for the top-up, your 2024 income needs to fall below certain thresholds. For a single person with no children, the cap is $56,181. For a single person with four children, it's $74,201. Couples without children can earn a combined $59,481 and still qualify, while a couple with four children can earn up to a combined $74,201.
When quarterly payments start
The one-time top-up is separate from the ongoing quarterly benefit, which kicks off in July. After that, payments are scheduled for October, January, and April each year. Those amounts will be based on your 2025 tax return.
The annual maximums for the quarterly benefit are higher than the top-up. Single people can receive up to $679 per year, and couples can receive up to $890. Families receive an additional $234 annually for each eligible child under 19.
What to do if you think you qualify
Because the new benefit is tied to the existing GST/HST credit system, most eligible Canadians should not need to apply separately. If you filed your taxes and received the previous credit, the transition should be automatic.
