12 million Canadians could get a one-time bonus payment this spring. Here's how to check if you qualify
Canadians who receive the quarterly GST/HST credit, or those who qualify for it, could receive an extra payment ranging from $267 to $717 in the coming weeks.
In January, Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed to put “more money back in Canadians’ pockets” with the announcement of a new GST rebate.
Formerly known as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit, the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will boost payments by 25 per cent for five years.
And eligible Canadians will also receive a one-time top-up payment this spring.
The federal government said the new benefit will provide relief to more than 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians, by helping them afford day-to-day essentials.
What is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit top-up?
Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, provides a one-time top-up payment equal to a 50 per cent increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST Credit.
The legislation received Royal Assent on February 12, 2026.
According to the Department of Finance, the measure will deliver $3.1 billion in immediate assistance to 12 million Canadians already receiving the GST Credit.
In addition, Bill C-19 will increase the value of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit by 25 per cent for five years, starting in July 2026 – a change the government says will deliver $8.6 billion in additional support.
Who is eligible for the top-up?
More than 12 million Canadians are eligible for the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
Anyone who received the January 2026 GST/HST credit – or was eligible for it – will automatically receive the spring top-up.
However, while your 2024 tax return determined eligibility for the spring top-up, the increased quarterly payments will be based on your 2025 return.
As long as you file your tax return by the deadline, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will automatically assess your eligibility.
How much could you get?
The Department of Finance outlined how much eligible Canadians can expect to receive from the top-up.
A single individual with no children will receive a one-time top-up of up to $267, while those who are married or have a common-law partner could get a maximum payment of up to $349.
Those eligible with children will receive up to $441 if they have one child, $533 with two children, $625 with three children, or up to $717 with four children.
Those who have shared custody of a child will get half of the amount they would have received if they had full custody of the child.
When will it be paid?
The Department of Finance has said the one-time top-up will be paid this spring, no later than June 2026.
If you have a direct deposit set up with CRA, the funds will arrive automatically.
If not, you will receive a cheque – so make sure your address on file is correct.
After the one-time payment is made in the spring of 2026, eligible Canadians will receive the increased quarterly payments as of July 2026.
This year, the payment dates are: January 5, April 2, July 3 and October 5.
The January and April payments were based on the 2024 tax return, while the July and October payments will be based on the 2025 return.
The deadline to file your 2025 tax return is April 30.
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