June 12, 2026
CGEB Payment Dates 2026: First Payment July 3, Then October 5
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment dates — July 3 and October 5, 2026 confirmed by the CRA, quarterly thereafter. What feeds each payment.
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) →
Quarterly CGEB from July 2026 — up to $679 single, $890 couples, $234 per child; replaces the GST/HST credit
The CRA has confirmed the first two Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) payment dates:
| Date | Payment |
|---|---|
| January 5, 2026 | GST/HST credit (final year, 2024 return) |
| April 2, 2026 | GST/HST credit (final year, 2024 return) |
| July 3, 2026 | First CGEB payment (2025 return) |
| October 5, 2026 | Second CGEB payment (2025 return) |
| January 2027 | CGEB — exact date published by the CRA |
| April 2027 | CGEB — exact date published by the CRA |
The quarterly cadence is the same as the GST/HST credit the CGEB replaces. Each payment period runs July to June and is recalculated every July from your previous year’s tax return — so the July 3 and October 5, 2026 payments are based on your 2025 return.
Estimate what lands in your account with the CGEB calculator — up to $679 for singles, $890 for couples, $234 per child for 2026-27.
Why your January and April 2026 payments were smaller
January and April 2026 were still GST/HST credit payments at the old rates ($533/$698/$184 annual maximums). The 25% uplift only applies from July 3 onward. The jump you see between April and July reflects both the new CGEB rates and your 2025 income replacing your 2024 income in the calculation — see CGEB vs GST/HST credit for the full comparison.
What if a payment doesn’t arrive?
- The CRA advises waiting 10 working days after the payment date before contacting them.
- If your 2025 return isn’t filed yet, no CGEB can be calculated — file as soon as possible; missed amounts are paid retroactively with the next scheduled payment.
- Amounts under $50 per quarter are typically paid as a single lump sum in July.
- If you turn 19 before April 2027, file your 2025 return so payments can start the quarter after your birthday.
Check your payment status
Sign in to your CRA account and look under “Benefits and credits” for your next expected payment date and amount. You can also sign up for CRA payment reminder emails, sent about a week before each payment.
For who qualifies and how the amount is computed, see CGEB eligibility and income cutoffs.
Source: CRA, CGEB payment dates.
Use our calculators to apply these concepts to your own income. Tax information is for general guidance only — consult a CPA for advice specific to your situation.
Tax rates and thresholds sourced from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Last verified for the 2025 tax year.