Grocery Rebate Bill C 46 – Canada’s New Refund Program for Eligible Food Purchases

In response to rising grocery prices, the Government of Canada passed Grocery Rebate Bill C-46 to provide a one-time financial relief payment to eligible Canadians. The rebate was issued on August 5, 2025, and targeted low- and modest-income individuals and families already receiving the GST/HST credit. If you are wondering whether you qualified or how much you could have received, this article explains the eligibility rules, payment amounts, and how to check your CRA account for updates.

Overview

The Grocery Rebate was part of the Cost of Living Act (Bill C-46), which aimed to support households facing increasing costs, especially for essential items like food. The rebate was not something you needed to apply for. If you were eligible for the July 2025 GST/HST credit, you automatically received the rebate—either by direct deposit or cheque through the CRA.

Feature	Details
Program Name	Grocery Rebate (Bill C-46)
Date Issued	August 5, 2025
Eligibility	GST/HST credit recipients for July 2025
Payment Amount	Up to $628, depending on family situation
Official Website	Canada Revenue Agency

Purpose

The government created this rebate to help Canadians struggling with food inflation. Between 2022 and 2025, food prices climbed significantly, with everyday essentials like meat, dairy, and vegetables becoming harder to afford. The Grocery Rebate was a fast way to get money into the hands of people who needed it most, especially seniors and families with children.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Grocery Rebate, you had to meet the following criteria:

• Received the GST/HST credit in July 2025
• Filed your 2021 tax return
• Met the income threshold for the GST/HST credit
• Were a resident of Canada

The CRA based eligibility on your adjusted family net income from 2021. If you didn’t file taxes for that year, you were not eligible.

Amounts

The rebate amount was essentially double the GST/HST credit for eligible recipients. Here’s what you could have received:

For Single Individuals

Children	Rebate Amount
No children	$234
One child	$387
Two children	$467
Three children	$548
Four children	$628

For Married/Common-Law Couples

Children	Rebate Amount
No children	$306
One child	$387
Two children	$467
Three children	$548
Four children	$628

The funds were automatically issued to your CRA-linked bank account or sent via cheque if direct deposit was not set up.

Check

If you are unsure whether you received the rebate, here’s how to check:

1. Log into My CRA Account
   Visit the CRA website and sign in with your credentials.
2. Go to Benefits and Credits
   Navigate to the section that shows GST/HST and related benefit payments.
3. Check for August 5, 2025
   Look for a payment entry around this date, listed as part of your GST/HST credit.
4. Confirm Your 2021 Tax Filing
   If you didn’t file taxes in 2021, or filed late, it could affect your eligibility.
5. Contact CRA If Needed
   If you think you were eligible but didn’t receive anything, reach out to the CRA to investigate further.

Importance

With food prices rising at record rates, this rebate offered immediate relief to families and individuals with tight budgets. It supported millions of Canadians without requiring complicated applications or long wait times.

According to Statistics Canada, food inflation in 2022 alone was over 9 percent. That trend continued in later years, making the rebate a helpful tool during a time when many were struggling to afford basic groceries.

Future

As of now, there are no confirmed plans for another grocery rebate. However, the government continues to monitor inflation and household affordability. Additional programs may be introduced if the need arises.

Experts suggest that one-time rebates like Bill C-46 can offer fast, targeted help. While they don’t solve long-term inflation, they help bridge the gap for households facing immediate pressure. The CRA remains the best source for updates on future programs.

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