Millions of Canadians are set to receive an extra federal payment this week as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) rolls out a one-time GST/HST credit top-up worth up to $717 for eligible households. The payment arrives on June 5, 2026, and serves as a bridge between the current GST/HST credit program and the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which officially launches next month.
For many households, the payment will provide a welcome boost at a time when grocery prices, housing costs and other household expenses remain elevated. More than 12 million Canadians are expected to benefit from the measure, according to federal government estimates.
Unlike some government support programs, there is no separate application process. Eligible recipients will receive the payment automatically through direct deposit or cheque using the same method already on file with the CRA.
How much will eligible Canadians receive?
The one-time payment equals 50% of a person’s total annual GST/HST credit entitlement for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit period. The exact amount depends on household income, marital status and the number of children in the family.
The maximum payment for a single adult with no children is $267. Married or common-law couples without children can receive up to $349. Families with children may qualify for larger amounts, with payments reaching $441 for one child, $533 for two children, $625 for three children and up to $717 for households with four children.
For example, if an individual’s total annual GST/HST credit entitlement was $400, the June top-up would be $200. If a couple qualified for an annual GST/HST credit of $698, their one-time payment would be $349.
Shared-custody families may also qualify for a portion of the payment. Under CRA rules, each eligible parent can receive half of the child-related amount that would otherwise be payable under a full-custody arrangement.
Who qualifies for the June 5 payment?
Eligibility is based primarily on two requirements. Canadians must have filed a 2024 income tax return and must have been entitled to receive the GST/HST credit payment issued in January 2026.
The CRA also applies income thresholds. For a single individual with no children, income must generally fall below $56,181. The threshold increases to $63,161 with one child, $66,841 with two children, $70,521 with three children and $74,201 with four children.
For married or common-law households, the qualifying income threshold is $59,481 with no children. That increases to $63,161 for one child, $66,841 for two children, $70,521 for three children and $74,201 for four children.
Newcomers to Canada, international students and temporary workers may also qualify if they were already receiving the GST/HST credit and met CRA eligibility requirements. Those who recently arrived in Canada and have not yet completed the required benefit registration process may not receive the June payment.
Canadians who believe they qualify but do not receive the payment should verify that their 2024 tax return has been assessed and that their direct deposit information remains up to date.
What changes when the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit begins?
The June 5 payment is not a recurring benefit. Instead, it represents a temporary affordability measure before the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaces the GST/HST credit starting with the July 3, 2026 payment.
Under the new program, quarterly benefit amounts will increase by 25% compared with the previous GST/HST credit structure. The government says the enhancement will remain in place for five years and will continue to target low- and modest-income households.
Eligible Canadians can expect quarterly payments beginning on July 3, 2026, followed by October 5, 2026, and additional payments in January and April 2027.
Households seeking a detailed breakdown of upcoming payment dates, benefit calculations and eligibility changes can review the latest Canada Grocery Benefit payment schedule and eligibility rules.
The financial impact could be significant for some families. A single individual receiving the maximum entitlement could collect approximately $950 when the June top-up and enhanced quarterly benefits are combined. A couple with two children could receive around $1,890 over the same period, depending on income and eligibility.
Not every eligible taxpayer will receive the full amount. Benefits are income-tested and gradually reduced as income rises above qualifying thresholds. Households with higher incomes may receive a reduced payment or no payment at all.
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The top-up is completely tax-free and does not need to be reported as income. It also does not affect eligibility for other federal benefits, including the Canada Child Benefit and Old Age Security.
As payment day approaches, Canadians should remain alert to fraud attempts. The CRA does not send text messages asking recipients to click links to receive benefits, nor does it request banking information through social media platforms. Individuals can safely verify benefit information through CRA My Account or the official CRA GST/HST credit information page.
While the June 5 deposit is a one-time payment, it marks the beginning of a broader transition in federal affordability support. For millions of eligible Canadians, the larger quarterly Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payments arriving later this year could provide ongoing assistance as household costs continue to rise.
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