25 per cent hike to the GST credit

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday announced a 25 per cent hike to the GST credit to help lower-income consumers deal with the high cost of groceries.

Branded as the “Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit,” the temporary boost takes effect this July and lasts for five years.

The federal government will also issue a one-time payment this year worth 50 per cent of the credit.

The government said a qualifying family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year and roughly $1,400 annually for the next four years. A single person would get up to $950 this year and about $700 for the next four years.

The existing GST credit is paid out quarterly and is targeted at families with low and modest incomes. More than 12 million Canadians are expected to be eligible for the new benefit.

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... Read moreAs someone who carefully budgets each month, I truly appreciate the federal government's new initiative to increase the GST credit by 25% under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. This support, especially the one-time payment equivalent to 50% of the credit this year, provides noticeable relief amidst rising grocery prices. For a family of four like mine, receiving up to $1,890 this year and about $1,400 annually for the next four years will greatly help ease the burden of daily essentials. It’s also encouraging that the existing GST credit is targeted at low and modest income families and paid quarterly, making financial planning more predictable. Since more than 12 million Canadians qualify for this benefit, it reflects a significant federal effort to assist those affected by inflation. If you haven't checked your eligibility, it’s definitely worth exploring, especially if you find grocery bills stretching your budget too thin. In my experience, even a modest increase like this can enhance financial stability, allowing for better allocation of resources towards other important expenses. Keeping an eye on such benefits and applying promptly can make a real difference in managing household finances effectively over the coming years.