CRA Confirms $628 Canada Grocery Rebate – Payment Dates, Status Updates, and Eligibility Explained

For millions of Canadians, 2025 continues to be a year of high grocery bills, rising rent, and mounting financial strain. In response, the federal government has once again confirmed the Canada Grocery Rebate, a one-time, tax-free payment designed to ease the burden of food inflation. Managed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), this rebate is not a monthly program but rather a targeted credit delivered alongside GST/HST payments.

If you are wondering who qualifies, how much you can get, and when the next payment will land, here’s the complete breakdown of everything you need to know.

What Is the Canada Grocery Rebate?

The Canada Grocery Rebate is a special support measure aimed at low- and modest-income Canadians. Introduced in 2023 and continued into 2025, it provides a one-time tax-free deposit to eligible households.

Key features include:

• Managed by the CRA, not provincial governments.
• Issued alongside GST/HST quarterly credits.
• Designed to offset rising grocery costs and inflation.
• Automatically calculated from your 2024 tax return.

This means if you already qualify for the GST/HST credit, you’re automatically assessed for the grocery rebate—no separate application is required

Why Was the Rebate Introduced?

Food prices in Canada have risen steadily over the last three years, with many families reporting difficulty affording basic groceries. Essentials like dairy, bread, vegetables, and meat continue to rise faster than wages.

The government designed this rebate as short-term relief—a stopgap to put extra cash directly into the hands of households most affected by inflation. Unlike permanent benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or GST/HST credit, this rebate is one-time only but may be repeated in future budgets if inflation pressures persist

Payment Dates for 2025

So far, grocery rebate payments have been tied to the GST/HST credit schedule. The CRA issues these credits four times a year—in January, April, July, and October. In some years, additional one-time rebates have been announced in August.

Here’s the 2025 schedule:

Month	Payment Date	Notes
January	5 January 2025	Regular GST/HST credit
April	5 April 2025	Regular GST/HST credit
July	5 July 2025	Regular GST/HST credit
August	15 August 2025	One-time Grocery Rebate confirmed
October	5 October 2025	Next GST/HST credit (possible rebate link)

The next expected grocery rebate is tied to the October 5, 2025 GST/HST credit. However, the government has not formally confirmed whether another one-time top-up will be added. Canadians should watch the CRA website and official budget announcements for confirmation.

How Much Will You Receive?

The rebate amount depends on your family size and household income, as reported in your 2024 tax return.

For Singles

• No children → $234
• 1 child → $387
• 2 children → $467
• 3 children → $548
• 4 children → $628

For Couples (Married or Common-Law)

• No children → $306
• 1 child → $387
• 2 children → $467
• 3 children → $548
• 4 children → $628

Note: These amounts are estimates and may be adjusted depending on income thresholds. Families with very low incomes may receive the maximum, while higher-income households could see reduced or no payments.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Canada Grocery Rebate in 2025, you must meet the following conditions:

1. Residency – Must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
2. Age Requirement – At least 19 years old, or under 19 if you:

• Have a spouse or common-law partner, or
• Are a parent living with your child.

1. Tax Filing – Must have filed a 2024 income tax return, even if your income was zero.
2. Income Level – Eligibility is based on adjusted family net income. Lower-income households receive larger rebates.
3. GST/HST Credit Status – If you qualified for GST/HST credit in 2024, you are automatically assessed.

How to Check Your Payment Status

Canadians often want to know whether their rebate has been processed. Here’s how to check:

1. Visit www.canada.ca or log into your CRA MyAccount.
2. Navigate to the “Benefits and Credits” section.
3. Check your payment history to see if the rebate was issued.
4. If payment is missing, look in the “Debt Recovery” section to confirm if funds were redirected to repay federal debts (such as student loans, EI overpayments, or tax balances).

If you receive cheques by mail, allow 5–10 business days after the official payment date.

Application Process

Unlike some federal benefits, there is no separate application for the Canada Grocery Rebate. The system is automatic. However, you must ensure:

• Your tax return is filed on time.
• Your direct deposit information is up to date in your CRA account.
• You’ve completed all eligibility forms related to dependents or marital status.

If you didn’t file taxes for 2024, you will not receive the rebate—even if your income was zero.

Why Filing Taxes Is Crucial

Many low-income Canadians miss out on benefits simply because they do not file taxes. Even if you earn no income, a tax return allows CRA to:

• Verify your income level.
• Confirm your marital status.
• Assess whether you qualify for GST/HST credit and therefore the grocery rebate.

Tax filing is the gateway to nearly all federal and provincial benefits, including CCB, OAS, GIS, and provincial credits.

Impact on Canadian Families

The grocery rebate provides a much-needed financial cushion. For some, it means stocking the pantry; for others, it covers rent, utility bills, or medicine.

A single parent with two children, for instance, could receive \$467—enough to cover a month’s worth of groceries. For couples with four children, the \$628 rebate eases the cost of holiday shopping or back-to-school expenses.

However, critics argue that the rebate is only a temporary fix. With grocery prices continuing to climb, many call for permanent food affordability measures.

Beware of Scams

Whenever new benefits are announced, scammers attempt to exploit them. If you receive an email, text, or phone call asking you to:

• Provide SIN numbers or banking details, or
• Click on links promising faster payment,

…it’s almost certainly a scam. The CRA will never ask for such details by email or text. Always check updates directly at canada.ca.

What to Expect in the Future

While the government has not confirmed additional rebates beyond October 2025, analysts predict that continued inflationary pressure could prompt Ottawa to extend or expand grocery rebates in 2026. The measure has been popular among Canadians, particularly seniors, students, and families living below the poverty line.

5 Relevant FAQs

Q1. Who qualifies for the Canada Grocery Rebate in 2025?
Anyone who filed a 2024 tax return, is a Canadian resident, and meets the income thresholds for GST/HST credit may qualify.

Q2. How much can a single parent with two children receive?
They can receive up to \$467 under the grocery rebate.

Q3. When is the next grocery rebate payment in 2025?
The next expected date is October 5, 2025, aligned with the GST/HST credit.

Q4. Do I need to apply for the rebate separately?
No. If you qualify for the GST/HST credit, you are automatically assessed.

Q5. Is the grocery rebate taxable?
No. It is a tax-free payment and will not affect your taxable income.