12 million Canadians could get CRA bonus this spring

Source: nationalpost.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

The National Post reports on a one-time top-up payment from the Canada Revenue Agency under Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, which got royal assent on February 12, 2026.[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment) It targets over 12 million recipients of the GST/HST credit, who qualify if they filed their 2024 tax return and got the January 2026 payment.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html) The story is out now because the payment comes this spring, no later than June 2026, as a bridge to the new benefit.[[4]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/benefit-payment-dates.html)

Key points

Details and context

The GST/HST credit has long offset sales taxes for low- and modest-income households; this top-up and CGEB rename respond to rising food and essentials prices.[[3]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit.html) Payments issue quarterly, but the one-time amount may appear labeled as GST credit during bank updates.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html)

To qualify, file your 2024 return even with zero income; CRA assesses based on family net income thresholds not detailed here but tied to modest levels.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html) The $8.6 billion in added CGEB support over five years aims at the same 12 million people.[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment)

Key quotes

“Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, provides a one-time top-up payment equal to a 50 per cent increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST Credit.”[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment)

“These measures will provide increased financial support to more than 12 million Canadians with low and modest incomes to help manage the costs of everyday essentials.” — Government of Canada.[[3]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit.html)

Why it matters

Rising grocery costs hit low-income families hardest, so this delivers targeted tax relief without new taxes.

Eligible readers could see up to several hundred dollars deposited soon, helping with spring bills if taxes are filed.

Watch your CRA account for payment notice by June 2026 and file 2025 taxes on time for future CGEB quarters.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html)