When is Canada’s federal budget grocery rebate coming?

What is the Canadian grocery rebate?

Inflation in Canada hit a significant high of 8.1% in June 2022, raising consumer prices for everything from liquid soap to lumber. And in the last 12 months alone, food prices have risen 8.9%, a statistic that shouldn’t shock anyone who’s been buying lettuce since last summer. That’s where the grocery rebate is.

The Canadian grocery rebate, introduced in the federal government’s 2023 budget, is a one-time payment to 11 million low- and moderate-income Canadians, intended to provide some financial assistance to those people struggling to make ends meet. The payment is an increase in the maximum goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit a person is eligible for—the increase is called a grocery rebate.

Who can get the grocery rebate?

The rebate applies to individuals with a net income of less than $32,000 and to families earning less than $38,000. As the rebate is considered part of your GST/HST credit, you must be a resident of Canada and have filed your 2021 tax return. The rebate amount is calculated based on your 2021 adjusted net family income and your “family situation” in January 2023. Note: You may qualify for a one-time grocery rebate but not for in July 2023 GST/HST credit, or vice versa—the grocery rebate is based on 2021 tax returns, and the GST/HST credit is based on 2022 tax returns, the federal government said on its website.

How much can I get from the grocery rebate?

The amount you may be eligible to receive will depend on your net income and the amount you receive as a GST/HST credit. The grocery rebate will be double the amount of the credit you received in January 2023. The maximum amount, rounded to the nearest dollar, will be $153 per adult, $81 per child and $81 for a supplement.

This means that couples with two children will receive up to $467, single Canadians without children will receive up to $234, and senior citizens will receive up to $225.

When is the grocery rebate paid?

The grocery rebate will be paid with the July GST/HST credit on July 5, 2023. It will come automatically by direct deposit or government check. (If you think you’re eligible but don’t receive a deposit that day, the government asks that you wait 10 days before being contacted.)

How do you apply for a grocery rebate?

You don’t have to! If you qualify, including filing your 2021 taxes, you will automatically receive the payment. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, you can do so now—even if you have no income to report for 2021.

If you’re looking for a little more to spend, you can look forward to a slightly better July GST/HST credit.