Canada Grocery Rebate Bill (C-46).The Canadian Government started the Grocery Rebate Bill (C-46), also called the Cost of Living Act No. 03. It is to give short-term help to families facing higher food prices.
The cost of groceries had been rising fast because of inflation, and many low-income households were struggling to manage their daily expenses. To provide some relief, a one-time grocery refund was issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Nearly 11 million people across Canada received this rebate from the government. The amount was different for each household. For example, couples with two children received $467, single adults got $234, and senior citizens received $225. The CRA automatically decided who was eligible by checking tax returns and GST/HST credit records, so people did not need to make a new grocery rebate application.
By January 2025, this program had already ended. As of now, there are no new rules, no fresh grocery assistance bill, and no updates on future payments. The rebate was only a temporary support and not a permanent solution for Canadians dealing with rising food costs. Let’s know more about it in the following article.
Overview of the Canada Grocery Rebate Bill
| Name of Program | Canada Grocery Rebate |
| Administered By | Canada Revenue Agency |
| Beneficiaries | There are no payments in 2025, but earlier, low-income residents who received the GST + HST credit were eligible. |
| Current Status | Not Active |
| Previous Payment Amount | Couples with two kids received $467, single individuals got $234, and senior residents were given $225. |
| Upcoming Payment Date | Not Available |
| Post Category | Government Aid |
| Official Website | Canada.ca |
CRA One-Time Grocery Rebate Eligibility 2025
As of 2025, the Grocery Rebate program is no longer active. It officially came to an end in January 2025, which means Canadians can no longer apply or qualify for this support. The initiative was introduced under Bill C-46 as a short-term Canadian government rebate to help families handle rising grocery prices, but it was never meant to be a permanent solution.
When the rebate was available, eligibility was based on a few simple rules. Only individuals who filed their income tax return with the CRA were considered. It was tied directly to the GST/HST credit, so if a person already qualified for that benefit, the rebate was automatically added. Applicants also needed to be Canadian residents, and the payment mainly focused on low-income households since it was an income-tested program.
There was no special grocery rebate application required. The money was deposited straight into the accounts of those who were already entitled to the GST/HST credit. While this program acted as a food relief program Canada once offered, all these rules and payments ended with the program’s closure in 2025.
Final Thoughts
As of 2025, the Grocery Rebate program is no longer active, and Canadians cannot rely on it for financial support. The benefit ended in January 2025, and there are no new payments or updated rules for eligibility. This rebate was first introduced under Bill C-46 as a temporary relief measure to help low-income households manage rising grocery costs. However, it was never designed as a long-term food relief program Canada could continue offering every year.
When it was available, the rebate was linked directly to tax filings. Only those who had submitted their income tax returns with the CRA could qualify. The rebate was also tied to the GST/HST credit, so if a person was eligible for that credit, they automatically received the one-time rebate as well. To meet refund eligibility Canada requirements, recipients had to be residents of the country and fall within the low-income bracket based on their tax details.
The Canadian government rebate was first issued in July 2023 and helped around 11 million people, including couples with children, singles, and seniors. But by 2025, this one-off benefit has fully ended. For past updates on the Canada refund bill or details on the grocery rebate application, residents should check the official canada.ca website.
| Home Page | https://aiis.org/ |
FAQs for Canada Grocery Rebate Bill (C-46)
1. Is the Grocery Rebate Payment from Bill C-46 still active in 2025?
No. The Grocery Rebate under Bill C-46 officially ended in January 2025, and no payments are being given out now.
2. Do Canadians need to apply for a new CRA grocery rebate in 2025?
No. When the rebate was active earlier, people did not have to fill out a grocery rebate application since the CRA sent it automatically using tax return details. But in 2025, the program is no longer running, so no application is needed.
3. Are there any new food or grocery eligibility rules for 2025?
No. Since the rebate program has ended, there are no new rules or eligibility updates for 2025.
4. Where can Canadians check details about the Grocery Rebate?
People can visit the official canada.ca website or the Parliament of Canada page to see past details and official updates.
5. Is the Grocery Rebate taxable in Canada?
No. The one-time payment given in July 2023 was tax-free. And in 2025, no new payment has been issued under this program.
