Eligible households in Barrie will see extra money land in their bank accounts starting today as the federal government rolls out its first enhanced payment under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
The benefit, which replaced the GST/HST credit this month, is paid every three months and is meant to help lower and modest income Canadians cover the cost of groceries and everyday essentials.
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
Boosted payments begin today
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit was previously known as the GST/HST credit.
Eligible households already received a one-time payment worth 50 per cent of the benefit's annual value back in early June.
Starting with today's payment, recipients will also see a 25 per cent increase in their quarterly amounts. Ottawa says that boost is here to stay for the next five years, running through 2031.
Support tied to household income and family size
How much a household gets depends on a few things, including marital status and how many kids are in the home.
Annual benefit amounts can range from a few hundred dollars up to more than a thousand dollars per family, and payments are recalculated every July based on the previous year's tax return.
The program is targeted at lower-income households and is designed to help offset the rising cost of essential goods.
What the payments could look like
The Department of Finance offered a couple of examples of what the changes mean in dollar terms.
A single senior with $25,000 in net income received a one-time top-up of $267 and will get a longer-term increase of $136 for the 2026-27 benefit year, a total bump of $402.
A couple with two children earning $40,000 in net income received a one-time top-up of $533 and will see an increase of $272 for the 2026-27 benefit year, adding up to $1,890 in total support for the year, including the top-up.
Affordability remains a federal focus
Prime Minister Mark Carney first announced the affordability measure in January, framing it as a response to ongoing economic uncertainty and higher prices for necessities.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the goal is to build on what already existed while going further to help Canadians manage costs.
"One of the greatest strengths of Canada is that we look after one another. We believe our economy is strongest when it works for everyone. That's why we introduced the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit – to help make groceries and everyday essentials more affordable for Canadians while strengthening food security and supporting innovation across Canada's agriculture and food sectors," Champagne said.
The enhanced benefit is one of several federal efforts aimed at giving Canadians financial breathing room as household costs continue to climb.
No application is needed. Eligibility is determined automatically through your tax return, and payments are deposited directly or mailed as a cheque on the scheduled date.
*with files from CP
