As rumours and clickbait headlines revive talk of a $628 Canada “grocery rebate” for October 2025, here’s the clear, up-to-date picture: the Grocery Rebate was a one-time payment delivered in 2023 and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has not announced a new, separate $628 rebate for October 2025. Headlines suggesting an automatic $628 payment this month are coming from unofficial sites and should be treated with caution.
Background — what the Grocery Rebate was
The Grocery Rebate was introduced in Budget 2023 as targeted, one-time relief to help low- and modest-income Canadians cope with higher food prices. The federal government delivered the payment through the CRA in July 2023; the rebate amount was tied to the GST/HST credit and family situation as of January 2023. The program was explicitly described by the CRA as a one-time measure and that particular rebate is no longer available.
How the amounts were calculated (and the $628 figure)
The maximum $628 figure appeared as the top payment level for certain family configurations (for example, a person or couple with four children, under the 2021/2023 calculation rules). The Grocery Rebate amount equalled double the GST/HST credit amount that an individual or family received for January 2023; exact entitlements depended on adjusted family net income and household composition.
Quick reference table (based on CRA 2023 calculation guidance)
| Household type | Example maximum Grocery Rebate (2023 framework) |
|---|---|
| Single, no children | $234.00 |
| Single, 1 child | $387.00 |
| Couple, 2 children | $467.00 |
| Any household with 4 children | $628.00 (maximum shown in CRA table) |
Note: these numbers reflect the one-time Grocery Rebate calculation that was used in 2023. They are shown here to explain where the $628 number originates — not as evidence of a new payment in October 2025.
So — will the CRA pay $628 in October 2025?
No official CRA or Department of Finance announcement supports a new Grocery Rebate payment in October 2025. The CRA’s dedicated Grocery Rebate page explicitly states the 2023 payment was a one-time credit and is “no longer available.” For current benefit and credit schedules (GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, Climate Action/Carbon Rebate, etc.) check the CRA benefit dates and your CRA MyAccount.
What you should do (practical steps)
- Don’t click suspicious links. Scams often mimic CRA language. The CRA warns that messages promising new grocery rebates that require an application or payment of fees are fraudulent.
- Check CRA MyAccount. If the government issues any new one-time payments, you’ll see notices or deposits in your MyAccount and direct-deposit records.
- File your taxes. Eligibility for many credits is determined by your most recent tax return; file on time to avoid missing automatic credits.
FAQ
Q: I saw a headline saying “$628 deposit this week” — is that true?
A: Not from CRA. Only rely on official Canada.ca or CRA communications. Unofficial sites often recycle the 2023 amounts and republish misleading deadlines.
Q: If I got the Grocery Rebate in 2023, will I get it again?
A: No — the Grocery Rebate paid in July 2023 was one-time. Any future program would require a new government announcement.
Q: Where can I find official payment dates for CRA benefits?
A: The CRA maintains a benefits payment dates page and sends MyAccount notices about benefit deposits. Check those official pages for verified schedules.