Canadians Get Grocery Benefit Boost

0:00It's April 8th, I'm Cory with the story. This is Vancouver News today, driven by AI. Canadian folks getting the GST or HST credit are in for some extra cash soon, between $267 and $717. This one-time top-up from the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit hits this spring, aimed straight at low and modest income families to cover. Every day basics like food. Like in January, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised more money in pockets, and now Bill C-19 has the green light after Royal Ascent on February 12th, 2026. It pumps a 50% boost on next year's credit value, plus a 25% hike in quarterly payments for the next five years starting, July. Over 12 million Canadians qualify, bringing real relief to folks stretching their dollars on groceries and essentials. The government's dropping $3.1 billion right away, with $8.6 billion more over time to ease

1:00those daily squeezes. Eligibility simple, if you got or qualified for the January 2026 payment, you're set based on your 2024 return. File your 2025 taxes by April 30th to lock in the boosted quarters from July 3rd onward. Direct deposit means it lands automatically by June or check your address for the mail version. Keep an eye on those payment dates, and this support keeps flowing quarterly to make life a bit lighter.