Canada’s $628 Grocery Rebate: Who Qualifies and When Payments Arrive

Canada is rolling out a one-time $628 grocery rebate for eligible residents in December 2025. As grocery prices continue to weigh heavily on household budgets, this targeted support aims to ease food cost pressures for millions of Canadians.

This rebate is part of broader cost-of-living relief and is structured to work alongside existing federal benefit programs.

What Is the $628 Grocery Rebate?

The grocery rebate is a one-time financial support payment delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to help offset rising grocery and household expenses.

It’s non-taxable, requires no separate application, and is automatically calculated based on existing CRA records tied to federal benefit eligibility.

The rebate complements other income-tested benefits like the GST/HST credit, meaning many people already receiving those benefits are likely to qualify for this payment as well.

Who Can Receive the Grocery Rebate?

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the $628 grocery rebate, residents must meet the following basic conditions:

• Have filed their recent income tax returns with the CRA.
• Receive or qualify for the GST/HST credit or similar income-tested federal benefits.
• Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes with up-to-date banking and contact information.

Eligibility generally centers on factors such as household income, family size, and benefit receipt history. Seniors, families with children, and low- to moderate-income earners often benefit most. 

Updating tax filing and banking details with the CRA helps ensure timely payment and avoids delays from mailed cheques due to outdated information.

Payment Schedule and Delivery

When Will the Rebate Be Paid?

The CRA has scheduled the one-time $628 grocery rebate to be issued on December 26, 2025, aligning it with other year-end benefit payments.

How You’ll Receive It

The rebate will be distributed using the following methods:

• Direct Deposit – Automatically sent to eligible recipients who have banking information on file.
• Mailed Cheque – Sent to those who are not signed up for direct deposit or have outdated banking details.

By timing the payment during a high-spending period such as late December, the government intends to provide financial relief when many households face elevated grocery and holiday expenses.

Why This Rebate Matters

Food inflation remains one of the largest ongoing cost pressures for Canadian households. While the $628 grocery rebate won’t cover all grocery expenses, it offers meaningful relief during a challenging period. 

This support is especially helpful for:

• Low-income families
• Seniors on fixed incomes
• Individuals facing rising everyday living expenses

The rebate is intended to supplement — not replace — other government assistance, offering an additional buffer for essential spending.

Preparing for the Rebate

To maximize the chances of receiving the rebate on time:

• Verify your CRA account details, including direct deposit and mailing address.
• File your latest tax return on time so eligibility can be determined.
• Regularly check your CRA online account for payment confirmations and updates.

Keeping these details up to date avoids payment delays or misplaced cheques.

Canada’s one-time $628 grocery rebate scheduled for December 26, 2025, offers important financial support during a period of high living costs. Designed to assist eligible taxpayers automatically, the rebate builds on existing benefit frameworks and aims to reduce financial strain from rising food prices.

Canadians can ensure timely receipt by keeping their tax and banking information current with the CRA. This non-taxable payment complements other federal programs and brings meaningful relief when it’s needed most. 

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