Liberal grocery benefit payments start hitting accounts today
An estimated 12 million Canadians are eligible for one-time payments ranging from $267 to $533, based on household size.
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One of the federal Liberals' flagship affordability measures is reaching Canadian bank accounts starting today.
First announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney in January, top-up payments for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit began going out Friday. The program was previously called the GST/HST credit and is normally paid quarterly to lower-income households to help them keep pace with rising living costs.
An estimated 12 million Canadians are eligible for the one-time benefit, with amounts varying based on household size. A single adult with no children receives up to $267, while a couple with two kids gets a maximum of $533.
The one-time top-up is worth 50 per cent of the annual benefit. Regular quarterly payouts will also rise by 25 per cent for the next five years, starting in July.
Canadians who meet the income threshold based on their 2024 tax returns will receive the benefit automatically by direct deposit or by mail. No application is required.