Canada’s $628 Grocery Rebate Coming in July 2025 – Check Eligibility and Payment Dates

If you’ve been paying attention to your grocery bills lately, you’re not imagining things—food prices in Canada are still going up. In response, the federal government has introduced a brand-new one-time grocery rebate of up to $628, coming in July 2025. This relief isn’t for everyone, but for many low- and modest-income households, it can feel like a small but welcome win amid sticky inflation.

Let’s walk through who the grocery rebate is for, how much you could receive, and what you need to do to make sure it lands in your bank account when the time comes.

1. What is this grocery rebate

First things first: this is not a monthly payment. Think of it more like a mid-year pick-me-up—a one-time cheque or deposit designed to help stretch your grocery money when you need it most. It’s being rolled out in mid-July 2025, alongside the quarterly GST/HST tax-credit payment.

You won’t need to apply—the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will automatically send it to people who qualify based on their 2024 tax filing. If you usually receive the GST/HST credit, you won’t have to do a thing to get the grocery rebate.

2. Who qualifies?

This rebate isn’t universal. There are a few key requirements:

1. You must have filed your 2024 income tax return.
2. You must qualify for the GST/HST credit as of July 2025.
3. You must be a Canadian tax resident.
4. Your net family income must fall under the CRA’s eligibility thresholds.

Curious whether you qualify? Just log into your CRA My Account and check that you’re set up for the GST/HST credit. If you are, well done—you’re on track to get the grocery rebate automatically.

3. How much could you get?

The amount depends on your family situation and income. Here are some ballpark figures based on CRA’s early guidance:

Family Type	Estimated Rebate
Single (no children)	Up to $234
Married/common-law couple	Up to $306
Single parent with one child	Up to $386
Family with two children	Up to $628

If your income falls on the lower end, you’ll receive the maximum amount. If your income is higher—but still qualifies—you may receive a smaller rebate or none at all. One thing to remember: the CRA calculates rebates using your finalized 2024 tax data, so university students, seasonal workers, and recent graduates should file their taxes to show qualifying income.

4. How and when will you get paid?

The grocery rebate lands on July 5, 2025, the same day as the GST/HST credit. If you’re signed up for direct deposit, expect the money in your bank account that morning. If you receive paper cheques, the postal system usually delivers them within 3–5 business days.

Again, there’s no application needed—just file your taxes timely and keep your banking info up-to-date via CRA My Account.

5. Why doesn’t this help everyone?

This rebate is targeted—aimed at Canadians who already receive the GST/HST credit, which itself is income-tested. High-income families are left out because the rebate is designed to support struggling households, not everyone.

Yes, it’s a one-time payment, not a long-term solution. But that doesn’t mean it’s small potatoes. Depending on your situation, $234–$628 can cover a week’s worth of groceries, essentials for a toddler, or lunch costs for several weeks of summer camp.

6. What else is the government doing?

The grocery rebate isn’t an isolated effort. It’s one piece of a broader strategy to combat high inflation. Other support measures include:

• Canada Child Benefit (CCB) increases, helping parents with young kids.
• Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) boosts for seniors.
• GST/HST credit adjustments based on inflation.
• Provincial and municipal cost-of-living rebates and supports.

Each of these programs adds a layer of protection for Canadians under financial stress. Together, they’re about keeping more money in your pocket.

7. What can YOU do right now

There are several things you can check off right away:

1. File your 2024 taxes. No return = no rebate.
2. Log into CRA My Account to check:
   • That you’re set up for the GST/HST credit.
   • Your direct deposit info is accurate.
   • Your mailing address is current.
3. Check your 2024 adjusted family net income. This determines your eligibility.
4. Register for CRA email or text alerts so you don’t miss updates about the rebate.
5. Plan ahead: Use July’s payment to buy weekly staples or consider prepaying non-perishables in July’s sale prices.

Fixing broken or missing info now means you avoid delays when that payment drops.

8. Common questions and answers

Is it a taxable payment?
No—it’s not taxable. You won’t have to declare it on your next tax return.

Will it reduce future GST/HST credits?
No. GST/HST credits and this rebate are calculated separately. One doesn’t affect the other.

Can I get more than one?
Just one per family. The CRA gives the rebate based on household data for your 2024 tax return.

Why $628?
That’s the maximum possible amount for a couple with two children. Single individuals and single-parent families receive proportionally smaller amounts.

9. How to thoughtfully use your rebat

Want ideas on making the most of your rebate? Here are some suggestions:

• Stock up on pantry staples. Look for high-yield items like rice, pasta, canned beans, and whole grains.
• Buy in bulk. When healthy items go on sale, having a bigger cushion to buy in quantity helps long-term.
• Cover lunches or snacks. With kids home for summer, the rebate can ease your school or activity food costs.
• Top up fresh produce. Use part of the rebate to buy fruits or veggies you struggled to afford lately. A small difference can make a big impact on family health.

10. Bottom line

Yes—the $628 grocery rebate is real, but it’s not a permanent program or “free cash bonus.” It’s a targeted, one-time relief boost for low- and modest-income Canadians already receiving GST/HST credits. To get it, just file your 2024 taxes, keep your CRA profile current, and wait for the July 5 deposit.

This is Canada’s way of helping Canadians cope with sticky grocery inflation. It’s temporary, but for many households it could feel like a small weight lifted in the month ahead.

Conclusion

In times of rising grocery costs and economic uncertainty, Canada’s $628 Grocery Rebate provides much-needed relief to low- and middle-income individuals and families. Scheduled to arrive in July 2025, this one-time payment from the federal government aims to ease the burden of food inflation and support household budgets.

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