Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment arrives for eligible Canadians

The second quarterly payment of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is scheduled to arrive for eligible Canadians on Monday, Oct. 5.

The tax-free payment, issued by the Canada Revenue Agency, is designed to help low and modest-income households with the cost of food and other essentials.

The benefit replaced the former GST credit in July 2026 and features increased payment amounts.

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"This benefit, announced in January, is aimed at helping low and moderate income adults manage the rising cost of essential goods," the Toronto Star reported.

To qualify for the Oct. 5 payment, a recipient must have been a resident of Canada for tax purposes throughout September and as of Oct. 1.

They must also be at least 19 years old, unless they have a spouse, common-law partner, or are a parent living with their child.

Eligibility and payment amounts are based primarily on an individual or family's declared income from the 2025 tax year.

Payment amounts vary depending on income, marital status and the number of children.

For the current benefit period running from July 2026 to June 2027, a single individual with no children and an income of $11,564 could receive up to $445 over four quarterly payments, or $111.25 each.

A single parent with two children and an income of $45,000 or less could receive $1,358 over four payments, or $339.50 per quarter.

For a married or common-law couple with no children and a combined income of $46,432 or less, the total would be $890 over four payments, or $222.50 each.

Narcity reported that with the October payment, a single individual could get up to $169.75, while a married or common-law partner could get up to $222.50.

Additional amounts are available for children.

Parents in a shared custody situation may be eligible for half of the benefit amount for that child.

The CRA will deposit payments directly into bank accounts for those with direct deposit set up.

Others will receive a paper cheque by mail, though the government said cheques can take longer to arrive.

The agency only sends notices to those entitled to receive the benefit.

Some eligible Canadians could receive a larger than usual payment this month if they filed their taxes late, as the CRA will issue retroactive amounts missed in July.

Individuals eligible for less than $50 per quarter received their entire annual amount as a lump sum in July instead of quarterly payments.

The federal government increased payment amounts by 25 per cent when it launched the new benefit.

"That boost will remain in place until 2031," according to Narcity.

A Parliamentary Budget Officer report earlier this year estimated the CGEB program could cost the federal government $12.4 billion over six years.

With files from Global News, Toronto Star and Narcity