People pay for their items at a grocery store in Toronto, Ontario, Canada November 22, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
Millions of Canadian households considered low- or modest-income will receive a one-time grocery rebate from the federal government this week.
The Grocery Rebate will be delivered to 11 million eligible Canadians on July 5, by either direct deposit or cheque via the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) along with the next quarterly GST/HST credit payment.
For couples with two children and $35,000 in net income, it could mean up to an extra $467, and for single Canadians without children, up to an extra $234. Seniors can expect an extra $225 on average.
The benefit is part of Bill C-46, the Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 3, which was part of the federal government’s Budget 2023. The rebate was passed on May 11. The rebate is equivalent to double the GST/HST credit amount a household received in January. The amount is calculated based on a household’s family situation in January 2023 and its 2021 adjusted family net income.
Recipients did not need to apply for the Grocery Rebate. It is being calculated and delivered automatically as an increase to the July GST/HST credit. However, taxpayers have to have filed a 2021 tax return to be able to receive the payment.
The government notes that it is possible for households to be entitled to the Grocery Rebate but not the July GST/HST credit payment or vice versa, because the Grocery Rebate is calculated based on the 2021 tax returns while the July GST/HST credit payment in July is calculated based on the 2022 tax returns.
Also, if an amount is owing to CRA, the rebate could be taken to apply to an outstanding balance.
The CRA gives a number of examples of the rebate payment depending on household makeup. For example, a single parent with one child could receive up to $387, and so would a married parent with one child, while a single parent with four children would receive $628, and so would a married parent with four children.
If you are single, you could receive a maximum payment of:
- $234 (no children)
- $387 (with 1 child)
- $467 (with 2 children)
- $548 (with 3 children)
- $628 (with 4 children)
If you are married or have a common-law partner, you could receive up to:
- $306 (no children)
- $387 (with 1 child)
- $467 (with 2 children)
- $548 (with 3 children)
- $628 (with 4 children)
Anyone who does not receive the Grocery Rebate on the expected date is advised to wait 10 business days before contacting the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-267-6999.