Canadians to receive one-time grocery rebate today. Who is eligible?

Some Canadians will receive a one-time grocery rebate from the federal government this week — the funds from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) aimed to help offset soaring food inflation.

The new rebate was unveiled as part of the 2023 federal budget and is set to show up in eligible individuals bank accounts on July 5.

The government says approximately 11 million low- and modest-income households will be eligible. The one-time rebate is a similar boost to the GST rebate that the Liberals offered up last year.

Any individuals or families who received a GST/HST credit in January will be eligible for the grocery rebate.

The amount doled out by the CRA is based on family situations as of January 2023 and adjusted family income for 2021.

Canadians who earned less than $32,000 a year, and households that earned less than $38,000 on their 2021 tax return would qualify for the maximum payment. A single person living alone would get up to $234, while a couple with four kids could get up to $628.

The rebate is phased out entirely once income reaches $50,000 or more for a single person with no children, $55,000 or more for a couple without children, and $65,000 or more for a couple with four children.

Single people will receive a maximum payment of up to:

• $234 – no children
• $387 – with 1 child
• $467 – with 2 children
• $548 with 3 children
• $628 with 4 children

Those who are married or have a common-law partner will receive a maximum payment of up to:

• $306 – no children
• $387 – with 1 child
• $467 – with 2 children
• $548 – with 3 children
• $628 – with 4 children

Residents can calculate their grocery rebate payment here.

Those eligible will receive the funds through direct deposit or a cheque from the CRA.

Parliament passed legislation on the one-time benefit in May. The new law also enshrines a $2-billion top-up to the federal health transfer that seeks to reduce backlogs and wait times and support pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms.

Food banks across the country say the demand in Canada has never been higher with inflation driving food prices higher while wages and support programs lag behind.

With files from The Canadian Press