The Canadian government has officially confirmed that a one-time top-up to the GST/HST credit will begin on June 5, 2026. This is a transitional payment ahead of the launch of the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) program, which is set to replace the GST/HST credit in July 2026.
What exactly does this news mean
It is important to understand the news correctly: this is not a separate “new June grocery cheque” as a standalone program, but rather a one-time top-up to the existing GST/HST credit. After that, starting in July 2026, the government will transition to a new support model called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
How much will the payment be
According to official data from the CRA, the one-time top-up will amount to 50% of your annual GST/HST credit for the period from July 2025 to June 2026. The government also notes that this payment is intended to provide immediate support to over 12 million Canadians with low and moderate incomes. The Department of Finance estimates the total cost of this assistance at $3.1 billion.
Who is eligible for this payment
Those who filed a tax return for 2024 and were eligible for the GST/HST credit in January 2026 will be eligible for this payment. If the 2024 tax return has not yet been filed, the CRA specifically notes that it must still be filed, even if there is no income, because only after reviewing the return can the agency determine eligibility for this payment.
What determines the amount
The amount depends on family status and the number of children. According to the CRA:
- a single person without children can receive up to $267;
- a married couple or common-law couple without children — up to $349;
- the maximum amount for families with four children is $717.
For example, if your annual GST/HST credit was $400, the one-time payment will be $200.
How and when the money will be received
CRA also specifies that payments will begin on June 5, 2026. For those who have direct deposit set up, the money will be deposited directly into their bank account. If you do not have direct deposit, the payment will be sent by paper check in the mail. However, in banking systems, this payment may still appear under the old name GST/HST credit while financial institutions update their systems.
Other Important Considerations
Another important point: even if a person typically received the GST/HST credit as a single lump sum in July 2025, they will still be eligible for the June payment if they met the criteria in January 2026.
However, the payment may not be received if:
- the 2024 tax return has not been filed;
- you were not eligible for the GST/HST credit in January 2026;
- your spouse or common-law partner has already received the payment on behalf of the family.
CRA also warns that the amount may be applied toward any debt owed to the agency.
What happens after this payment
Following this one-time payment, the government will transition to the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit program. The Department of Finance Canada reports that it will officially replace the GST/HST credit starting in July 2026 and will be increased by 25% for five years. According to government estimates, this will provide $8.6 billion in additional support from 2026 to 2031, and the pool of recipients will expand by approximately 500,000 individuals and families.
Examples provided by the government
The government also provides specific examples.
A single pensioner with a net income of $25,000 will receive a $267 one-time payment and an additional $136 increase within the new benefit year, that is, an additional $402 and a total of $950 for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
A couple with two children and an income of $40,000 will receive $533 as a one-time payment and an additional $272 in the form of increased regular payments, meaning $805 extra and a total of $1,890 for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Conclusion
So, the correct takeaway from this news is this: in June 2026, Canada will launch a one-time top-up to the GST/HST credit, not a separate, entirely new program. The new permanent support program—the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit—will take effect in July 2026. Therefore, the most important thing for Canadians right now is to ensure that their 2024 tax return has been filed and that their information with the CRA is up to date.