With grocery prices climbing across the country, Canadian households have been feeling the squeeze. In response, the federal government rolled out a one-time Grocery Rebate of up to $628 in June 2025.
This targeted financial support was designed to ease the burden on low- and moderate-income families trying to manage the rising cost of food and everyday essentials.
Rebate
So, what exactly is the Grocery Rebate? It’s a special, one-time payment introduced in the 2025 federal budget. It mirrors the GST/HST credit system and is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The goal was simple—get quick help into the hands of Canadians hit hardest by inflation, without asking them to jump through hoops or apply separately.
This rebate is not a monthly benefit. It’s a single deposit meant to provide immediate relief from rising food bills and other household costs.
Eligibility
Wondering if you qualified? It all depends on your income and tax filing status. The CRA used 2023 income tax return information to automatically determine who’s eligible, focusing on:
- Canadian residents for tax purposes
- Those who qualified for the GST/HST credit
- Individuals or families with low to moderate incomes
If you received the GST/HST credit previously, chances are you were eligible for this rebate too. No new forms were needed—everything was based on your latest tax return.
Amounts
How much did people get? The Grocery Rebate was tailored to match the needs of different household types.
| Household Type | Maximum Rebate Amount |
|---|---|
| Single adult (no children) | $234 |
| Couple with 1 child | ~$387 |
| Couple with 2 children | ~$467 |
| Couple with 3+ children | $628 |
The CRA calculated your exact amount based on your 2023 family income and size. Larger families with more children received higher rebates to account for greater grocery costs.
Payment
The money started rolling out on 15 June 2025. The CRA began notifying eligible Canadians around 1 June 2025, with most receiving their payments by direct deposit. Those still using paper cheques had to wait a few extra days, depending on mail delivery.
To avoid any issues or delays, the CRA reminded everyone to ensure their banking and address details were up to date on their CRA My Account.
Scams
Where there’s money, there are scams—and the Grocery Rebate was no exception. Scammers took advantage of the buzz to send fake texts and emails, promising “extra” rebate payments or asking for personal information.
But here’s the truth: there’s only one official Grocery Rebate. It was paid in June 2025, and the CRA doesn’t contact people through unsolicited messages asking for banking info. Always rely on official government sites for updates and never click suspicious links.
Impact
The Grocery Rebate gave millions of Canadians a helping hand at a time when food prices were at a record high. It reminded many that public policy can, and should, be responsive during economic pressure points.
It wasn’t a cure for inflation—but it was a timely boost to help families buy groceries without dipping further into savings or credit.
Looking ahead, Canadians will be watching for similar measures if inflation continues. For now, this one-off rebate shows what quick, automatic, and well-targeted financial aid can do when it matters most.
FAQs
When was the Grocery Rebate paid?
It was issued on 15 June 2025.
Do I need to apply for the rebate?
No, it was automatic based on 2023 taxes.
What’s the max rebate amount?
$628 for couples with 3 or more children.
How did CRA contact recipients?
Notifications started on 1 June 2025.
Is there another Grocery Rebate coming?
No, only one rebate was announced.
