OAS Guides

Eligibility checks

Do I qualify for the GST/HST credit (now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit)?

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The GST/HST credit is a tax-free payment for people with low and modest incomes. In July 2026 it was renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), with the same rules and a 25% higher value. Where you live for tax purposes, filing your tax return and your family income decide whether you get it.

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Do you live in Canada?

You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes in the month before a payment and at the start of the payment month.

Have you filed your 2025 tax return?

Payments from July 2026 to June 2027 are based on your 2025 return. You need to file even if you had little or no income.

Do you have a spouse or common-law partner?

If you do, the benefit uses your combined income, and only one of you receives it for the family.

What was your net income in 2025?

Use the net income on line 23600 of your 2025 tax return. These limits are for people with no children under 19. With children, the amounts are higher.

What was your combined net income in 2025 (yours plus your spouse's or partner's)?

Add the net income on line 23600 of both 2025 tax returns. These limits are for couples with no children under 19. With children, the amounts are higher.

Likely not eligible

You likely do not qualify while you live outside Canada.

Why

The benefit is only for residents of Canada for tax purposes, in the month before each payment and at the start of the payment month.

What to do next

  1. If you move back to Canada, run this check again.
  2. If you think you are still a resident of Canada for tax purposes, call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) benefits line at 1-800-387-1193, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your residence for tax purposes decides this.

Why

You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes in the month before each payment and at the start of the payment month.

What to do next

  1. Call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) benefits line at 1-800-387-1193, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time, and ask whether you are a resident for tax purposes.
  2. Keep filing your tax return each year.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

Not yet. File your 2025 tax return to get it.

Why

There is no separate application. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) checks whether you qualify when you file your return. If you do not file, you get nothing, even if your income is zero.

What to do next

  1. File your 2025 tax return, even if you had little or no income.
  2. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they need to file too, because the benefit uses your combined income.
  3. If you are new to Canada, send Form RC151 for the year you became a resident.
  4. A free volunteer tax clinic may be able to do your return for you. Our tax credits guide explains who can use one.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Check whether your 2025 tax return was filed.

Why

Payments from July 2026 to June 2027 are based on your 2025 return. Without it, the benefit is not paid.

What to do next

  1. Sign in to CRA My Account to see your returns and your benefit payments.
  2. Or call the CRA benefits line at 1-800-387-1193, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time.
  3. If your return was filed, run this check again.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.

Why

You live in Canada, filed your 2025 return, and your income is below the point where the benefit starts to shrink. From July 2026 to June 2027, a single person gets $445 to $679 a year, depending on income. Single seniors with very low income get $445.

What to do next

  1. You do not need to apply. The CRA pays it based on your return.
  2. The next payments are October 5, 2026, January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027. If your benefit is less than $50 a quarter, the whole year is paid in one payment in July instead.
  3. Check your amount in CRA My Account, and sign up for direct deposit so payments arrive faster.
  4. In New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan, a provincial credit is added to your payment. In Ontario, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit is paid with the Ontario Trillium Benefit. In Quebec, Revenu Québec pays its own solidarity tax credit.
  5. File your return every year to keep getting it. Amounts are recalculated every July.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

Your family is likely eligible for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.

Why

You live in Canada, filed your 2025 return, and your combined income is below the point where the benefit starts to shrink. From July 2026 to June 2027, a couple can get up to $890 a year. Only one of you receives it, usually the person whose return is assessed first.

What to do next

  1. You do not need to apply. Both of you must file a return every year.
  2. The next payments are October 5, 2026, January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027.
  3. Check your amount in CRA My Account, and sign up for direct deposit so payments arrive faster.
  4. In New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan, a provincial credit is added to your payment. In Ontario, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit is paid with the Ontario Trillium Benefit. In Quebec, Revenu Québec pays its own solidarity tax credit.
  5. Tell the CRA about a change in marital status, such as a separation or the death of a spouse, by the end of the month after it happens.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for a smaller amount.

Why

From July 2026 to June 2027, the benefit starts to shrink once adjusted family net income is above $46,432. For people without children, it stops at $60,012 for a single person and $64,232 for a couple. Your income is between these, so you likely get part of the benefit.

What to do next

  1. You do not need to apply. The CRA pays it based on your return.
  2. Check your exact amount in CRA My Account, or on the CRA payments chart.
  3. If your benefit is less than $50 a quarter, the whole year is paid in one payment in July instead of four payments.
  4. File your return every year. Amounts are recalculated every July.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely do not qualify for July 2026 to June 2027.

Why

For people without children, the benefit stops at an adjusted family net income of $60,012 for a single person and $64,232 for a couple (July 2026 to June 2027). Your 2025 income is at or above that.

What to do next

  1. Keep filing your return every year. Amounts are recalculated every July, so if your income drops, you may qualify later.
  2. If you have children under 19, the limits are higher. Check the CRA payments chart.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your 2025 income decides whether you get it.

Why

From July 2026 to June 2027, the benefit starts to shrink above $46,432 of adjusted family net income. Without children, it stops at $60,012 for a single person and $64,232 for a couple.

What to do next

  1. Find your net income on line 23600 of your 2025 tax return, or on your Notice of Assessment. If you have a spouse or partner, add theirs.
  2. Then run this check again, or check your benefit in CRA My Account.
  3. Or call the CRA benefits line at 1-800-387-1193, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Where these rules come from

  1. Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: Who is eligible (Canada Revenue Agency)
  2. Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: How much you can get (Canada Revenue Agency)
  3. Payments chart: July 2026 to June 2027 (2025 base year) (Canada Revenue Agency)
  4. Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: Payment dates (Canada Revenue Agency)
  5. RC4210 Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (Canada Revenue Agency)

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