Grocery Rebate 2026: Is it Coming Back? (Official CRA Update & Scams)

Every time a new budget cycle begins, the same rumor floods TikTok, Facebook, and news feeds: "The Grocery Rebate is back!"

In January 2026, you may have seen viral posts claiming a "New $628 Food Benefit" or a "January 6th Grocery Deposit." These posts look official. They use the CRA logo. They cite specific amounts.

But are they real?

The short answer is No. As of January 2026, there is no new Grocery Rebate.¹

However, millions of Canadians did receive a deposit from the federal government on January 5, 2026. This has caused massive confusion.

This is the Official 2026 Grocery Rebate Fact Check, verified against the Department of Finance and CRA scam alerts. We explain exactly what that January deposit was, debunk the viral hoaxes, and show you the real dates for the benefits you are actually entitled to.

Track the REAL Money:

Don't rely on rumors. Bookmark our Master Payment Calendar 2026 to see the verified schedule for every legitimate federal and provincial benefit.

The Official Verdict: Is There a Rebate in 2026?

Save this status update. It is the only truth amidst the noise.

The Confusion Explained:

The "Grocery Rebate" was a one-time payment issued back in July 2023. It was never made permanent.

• What you are seeing now: When people share old news articles from 2023 on Facebook, the "date" might look recent, but the program is expired.
• The "Replacement": While there is no specific "Grocery" cheque, the government has increased the GST/HST Credit and Canada Workers Benefit to help with inflation.

Quick Answers: Common Rebate Questions

Is there a grocery rebate coming in 2026?

As of the 2026 federal budget updates, there is no confirmed "Grocery Rebate" scheduled for this year.² The viral reports of a "$628 deposit" are misinformation based on the one-time payment from July 2023.³ However, eligible Canadians continue to receive the quarterly GST/HST Credit, which helps offset the cost of living.⁴

Who is eligible for the Grocery Rebate 2026?

Since there is no active Grocery Rebate program for 2026, no one is eligible.⁵ Eligibility for similar support, like the GST/HST Credit, is determined automatically when you file your 2025 tax return.⁶ If a new rebate is announced in the future, it will likely follow the same income thresholds (approx. $55,000 for families).

What is the $628 payment from Canada Revenue Agency?

The rumored "$628 payment" refers to the maximum family amount of the expired 2023 Grocery Rebate.⁷ If you see a deposit for a similar amount in January 2026, it is likely your regular quarterly GST/HST Credit or a Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) advance payment, not a new food rebate.

Is the Canada Grocery Rebate monthly or one-time?

The original Grocery Rebate was a one-time payment.⁸ It is not a monthly benefit. For consistent monthly support, eligible parents should check the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), and seniors should check their OAS/CPP payments.

The "January 6th" Hoax: Debunking the Fake News

In early January 2026, a wave of AI-generated news articles appeared on Google Discover claiming:

"Canada Launches $628 Grocery Rebate from January 6 — Is Your Household Eligible?"

This is Fake News.

Here is how to spot the lie:

1. The Date: January 6, 2026, is a Tuesday. The CRA almost never issues benefits on Tuesdays (unless it's the 20th or 10th).
2. The Source: These articles usually come from sites with names like "HMSC Times" or "FinanceDaily," not Canada.ca or CBC News.
3. The Amount: The "$628" figure is copied exactly from the 2023 rebate. Inflation would have changed this number if it were real.

Why do they do it?

These "Clickbait Farms" write fake articles to get you to click on ads. They prey on people who are struggling financially and looking for help.

What Money DID You Get in January?

If you checked your bank account on January 5th and saw a deposit from "Canada Fed," it wasn't a Grocery Rebate. It was likely the GST/HST Credit.

Compare Your Deposit:

1. The GST/HST Credit

• Date: January 5, 2026.
• Amount: Up to $174.50 (Single) or $46.00 (Per Child).
• Who gets it: Low-to-modest income families.
• See the full schedule here: GST Payment Dates

2. The Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)

• Date: January 12, 2026.
• Amount: Variable (Up to $272 for singles).
• Who gets it: Low-income workers earning >$3,000.
• See the full schedule here: ACWB Payment Dates

3. The Carbon Rebate (CCR)

• Date: January 15, 2026.⁹
• Amount: Variable (e.g., $225 for a single Albertan).
• Who gets it: Residents of AB, SK, MB, ON, NB, NS, PE, NL.
• See the full schedule here: Carbon Rebate Dates

Street Reality: The Text Message Scam

The most dangerous part of these rumors is the Text Message Scam (Smishing).

Because people are searching for "Grocery Rebate," scammers are sending millions of texts to Canadian phone numbers.

The Scam Text:

"CRA ALERT: You have a pending Grocery Rebate of $467.00. Click here to claim your deposit: http://cra-relief-benefit.com"

The Trap:

1. You click the link.
2. It looks exactly like the CRA login page (Interac e-Transfer).
3. You enter your bank password to "deposit" the money.
4. They steal your banking login and drain your account.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Rule #1: The CRA NEVER sends money via Interac e-Transfer links in text messages.¹⁰ Never.
• Rule #2: The CRA NEVER asks you to "Click to Claim." All legitimate benefits (GST, CCB, Carbon) are deposited automatically. If you are eligible, the money just appears. You do not need to click anything.
• Action: If you get this text, forward it to 7726 (SPAM) and delete it.

Deep Dive: Eligibility Rules, Bill C-46 & Senior Scams

While there is no active rebate today, many Canadians are confused by the technical terms floating around on social media. Below is a breakdown of the specific laws and income cutoffs that usually govern these rebates, so you can separate fact from fiction.

Hypothetical Eligibility: Who WOULD Qualify?

A major reason for the confusion is that "Fake News" sites often publish real-looking income tables. They usually copy these numbers from the previous GST/HST Credit rules.

If a rebate were announced tomorrow, here is who would likely qualify:

Since the Grocery Rebate is legally tied to the GST Credit system, the income cutoffs would be almost identical to the current GST limits.

The Likely 2026 Cutoffs (Estimates):

• Single Individual: You would likely get the full amount if you earn less than $45,000. The benefit would disappear completely if you earn more than approx. $56,000.
• Single Parent (1 Child): Full benefit under $63,000. Cutoff around $66,000.
• Family (Couple + 2 Kids): Full benefit under $65,000. Cutoff around $69,000.

Why this matters: If you see a TikTok video claiming "Everyone gets $628," you know it is a lie. These benefits are always income-tested. High-income earners never qualify.

What is "Bill C-46" and Why Is It Trending?

You might see Facebook posts claiming: "Bill C-46 has passed! Money is coming!"

This is a classic case of "Zombie News" (Old news coming back to life).

The Truth:

• Bill C-46 was a real law. It was the "Cost of Living Act, No. 3."
• The Date: It received Royal Assent way back in May 2023.
• The Money: That bill authorized the one-time payment sent in July 2023.
• Current Status: That bill is "spent." It does not authorize any money for 2026. For a new rebate to happen in 2026, Parliament would need to pass a new bill (e.g., Bill C-XX). Until you see a new bill number on the Parliament of Canada website, no money is coming.

The "Seniors Holiday Boost" Rumor

Seniors are often the primary target of these rumors. In early 2026, a specific hoax circulated claiming a "$2,200 Holiday Boost" or a "Senior Inflation Check" was being issued by the CRA.

Fact Check:

• OAS Bonus: There is NO $2,200 bonus for Old Age Security (OAS) recipients.
• Inflation Adjustment: Your OAS payment did increase in January, but only by the standard quarterly inflation rate (usually 0.3% to 0.8%). This adds roughly $5 to $10 to your monthly cheque, not $2,000.
• See the real pension numbers here: OAS Payment Amounts.

Provincial Alternatives: Who IS Giving Money?

While the Federal government (Trudeau) isn't sending a grocery cheque right now, some Provincial governments are sending "Affordability Payments" that look very similar.

1. British Columbia (Climate Action Tax Credit)

• BC residents received a boosted payment on January 5, 2026.
• Amount: Up to $447 (Single) or $893 (Family).
• Confusion: Many people in BC mistook this provincial credit for a federal "Grocery Rebate."

2. Alberta (The "Double Pay" Month)

• Alberta families are set to receive their ACFB Payment on February 27th.
• Because this includes a "Working Component" bonus, the cheque can be quite large (over $1,000 for families with 3+ kids), leading some to believe it is a special rebate.

3. Quebec (Family Allowance)

• Quebec issued its quarterly payment on January 5th.
• Confusion: Since this date matched the federal GST date, many Quebec parents saw two deposits and assumed the second one was the "Grocery Rebate." In reality, it was just their normal Family Allowance.

Can I Apply for the Grocery Rebate? (The PDF Scam)

This is the most dangerous search query on Google.

Scammers have created fake "Application PDFs" that ask for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and Direct Deposit Banking Info.

The Rule:

• You NEVER need to apply.
• All CRA inflation benefits (GST, Carbon, Grocery) are Automatic.
• The CRA already knows your income from your tax return.
• If a website asks you to "Download the Application Form," it is a scam trying to steal your identity. Close the page immediately.

Stay Safe:

If you are unsure if a cheque is real, log in to your CRA My Account. If the money isn't listed in your "Benefits" tab, it doesn't exist.

Will It Ever Come Back? (Budget 2026 Outlook)

Is there any hope for the future?

The Federal Budget is typically announced in March or April.

The Case FOR a New Rebate:

• Food inflation is still high (4-6% in 2026).¹¹
• Political pressure is mounting on the current government to provide relief before the next election.
• The "Grocery Rebate" was very popular, and re-introducing it would be a quick political win.

The Case AGAINST a New Rebate:

• The government is trying to reduce deficit spending.
• Economists argue that giving out cash fuels inflation further.

Our Prediction:

If a rebate returns, it will likely be rebranded (e.g., "Affordability Payment") and attached to the July 2026 GST payment, just like last time. Watch for an announcement in April 2026.

"I Need Food Money NOW"

If you were counting on this rebate to buy groceries this week, here are the real, immediate resources available to you.

1. Provincial Top-Ups

• Ontario: The Ontario Trillium Benefit pays on January 9th.
• Alberta: The ACFB pays next on February 27th.
• Quebec: The Family Allowance paid on January 5th.

2. The Canada Disability Benefit

• If you have a disability, the new $200/month CDB payment starts on January 15th.

3. Food Banks Canada

• Unlike government cheques, food banks do not have a waiting period. If you are in crisis, locate your local food bank immediately.

Summary: 3 Things to Remember

1. Ignore the Headlines: There is no "January 6th" Grocery Rebate. It is clickbait.
2. Check Your Account: The money you received on Jan 5th was your regular GST Credit.¹²
3. Don't Click: Any text offering you a rebate is a scam trying to steal your password.

Need More Income?

If waiting for government rebates isn't enough to cover your grocery bill, you may need to look for accessible, immediate work opportunities.

👉 Find Daily Pay Jobs at BetterPayJobs.ca

About the Author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.

Sources

1. Canada Revenue Agency: Grocery Rebate - No Longer Available
2. CRA Scam Alerts: Protect yourself against fraud
3. Department of Finance: Affordability Plan Updates

Note

Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.