Maple News reports that newcomers to Canada may receive hundreds of extra dollars this year through an overhauled federal benefit designed to counter rising living costs. Announced on January 26, the federal government is introducing the newly named Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, a revamped version of the existing Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit.
Under the new plan, eligible individuals could receive up to $417 in additional payments in 2024, followed by annual increments of up to $167 over the next five years. These changes represent a 50% boost to this year’s payment and a 25% annual increase until 2030.
For 2024 specifically, a single eligible individual could receive as much as $950 in total—up from the previous maximum of $533. A family of four could receive up to $1,890 this year, with payments of up to $1,400 annually from 2025 through 2029.
To qualify, recipients must be aged 19 or older and considered a resident of Canada for tax purposes. The benefit is income-tested, with a net income cap of $56,181 for the 2024 tax year for a single person without children. The threshold increases based on family size and marital status.
Payments will be issued quarterly starting in July 2026, based on income reported in the 2025 tax return. Therefore, newcomers should ensure they file their taxes in order to receive the benefit on time.
Newcomers who arrived in Canada after the most recent tax filing deadline can still get the benefit by submitting the RC151 form for the year they became a tax resident. This provision ensures that immigrants who are not yet fully integrated into the tax system are not left out.
The measure is expected to specifically support a larger proportion of newcomers—particularly international students, foreign workers, and recently landed permanent residents—who often have incomes below the eligibility threshold. This targeted approach underscores the government’s commitment to easing financial pressures faced by new arrivals adjusting to life in Canada.
By tying the benefit to the standard tax-return process, the government aims to ensure seamless delivery of support while encouraging newcomers to participate in Canada’s tax system.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is part of a broader effort to make life more affordable for Canadians—especially low-income earners and recent immigrants—amid ongoing inflation and cost-of-living challenges.