CRA $978 Canada’s Grocery Relief 2025, Check Eligibility and Payment Dates

Rumors of a \$978 grocery rebate from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have ignited conversations nationwide. With the cost of food and household essentials climbing to record highs in 2025, many Canadians are hopeful that Ottawa will introduce new measures to ease the burden.

But here’s the reality: as of now, there is no confirmed \$978 rebate. Instead, the speculation highlights just how desperate Canadians are for relief. Families, seniors, and single-income households are struggling to keep up with food inflation that continues to hover around 6–7%, forcing many to make difficult choices at the checkout line.

This report breaks down the facts, the history of Canada’s grocery rebate program, what’s confirmed, what’s rumor, and how Canadians can prepare for future federal support.

The Background: Why a Grocery Rebate Matters

For millions of households, the grocery store has become a symbol of financial stress. Rising costs for bread, dairy, produce, and meat mean families are spending over \$1,000 monthly on basic food needs.

• Urban renters face the double hit of high rent and inflated food bills.
• Rural households pay more due to higher delivery and transportation costs.
• Low- to mid-income families are squeezed the hardest, often ineligible for other targeted programs.
• Seniors on fixed pensions are unable to keep pace with rapid inflation.

Against this backdrop, the idea of a \$978 grocery rebate—though unconfirmed—has gained traction online and in public discussions.

A Look Back: Canada’s 2023 Grocery Rebate

To understand today’s buzz, it helps to revisit what Ottawa has done before. In July 2023, the federal government introduced a one-time grocery rebate, tied directly to the GST/HST credit system, to provide immediate relief.

Here’s how much households received:

Household Type	Rebate Amount
Single adult (no kids)	Up to \$234
Senior living alone	Up to \$255
Couple with two children	Up to \$467
Family with four children	Up to \$628

The payments were automatic—no separate application required. Eligible Canadians received the rebate through CRA direct deposit or mailed cheque.

This program helped 11 million Canadians, but it was always intended as a one-time measure.

Fact Check: Is There Really a \$978 Rebate in 2025?

As of August 2025, the CRA and Department of Finance have made no official announcement regarding a \$978 grocery rebate.

• No such payment appears in the 2025 federal budget.
• The CRA’s benefits calendar does not list a grocery rebate.
• No federal press release or government website confirms the figure.

The \$978 number appears to have originated from speculative reports and social media chatter, not from official sources.

Canadians should always verify such claims through:

• CRA My Account
• Canada.ca official releases
• Department of Finance announcements

What Is Confirmed: The \$250 Working Canadians Rebate

While the \$978 rebate is still fiction, there is a confirmed federal benefit for 2025: the \$250 Working Canadians Rebate.

Detail	Information
Rebate Amount	\$250 one-time payment
Eligibility	Canadians who worked in 2023 with net income ≤ \$150,000
Delivery Date	Spring 2025
Payment Method	CRA direct deposit or cheque

This credit is targeted at working Canadians just above low-income thresholds—a group often left out of other supports but still struggling with inflation.

Could a Grocery Rebate Return in 2025?

While nothing has been announced, policy experts suggest that if a new grocery rebate were to appear, it would mirror the 2023 model. That means:

• Eligibility would be tied to GST/HST credit recipients.
• Payments would depend on family size, marital status, and net income.
• No separate application would be required, as CRA would use tax return data.

In 2023, for example:

• Single adults with incomes under \$49,000 qualified.
• Families saw thresholds rise with more dependents.

If Ottawa introduces new relief, similar rules could apply again.

How Canadians Can Prepare

Even though there’s no confirmed \$978 rebate today, the best way to prepare is to ensure you’re positioned to receive any future federal credits.

Steps include:

• File your taxes every year (even with zero income). CRA uses tax data to determine eligibility.
• Set up direct deposit through CRA to avoid cheque delays.
• Keep CRA My Account updated with your marital status, dependents, and address.
• Subscribe to Canada.ca alerts to get real updates, not rumors.

Why Grocery Relief Still Matters

Food prices remain a top affordability issue for Canadians in 2025. According to Statistics Canada, food inflation is between 6.5% and 7.2% this year, well above wage growth for most households.

The pressure is hitting specific groups harder:

• Low-income renters already paying 40–50% of income on housing.
• Single parents balancing groceries and childcare costs.
• Seniors whose pensions rise slower than inflation.
• Students and young workers living on tight budgets.

This explains why rumors of a rebate—even an unconfirmed \$978—spread so quickly: the need for relief is real.

5 FAQs on the \$978 Grocery Rebate Rumor

Q1. Is the CRA giving out a \$978 grocery rebate in 2025?
No. As of now, there is no official confirmation of such a rebate. The figure appears to be based on speculation.

Q2. What grocery rebate did Canadians get before?
In July 2023, eligible households received a one-time grocery rebate worth between \$234 and \$628, tied to the GST/HST credit.

Q3. What is confirmed for 2025?
The \$250 Working Canadians Rebate is confirmed, available to those who worked in 2023 and earned less than \$150,000.

Q4. How do I make sure I qualify for any new rebates?
File your 2024 taxes, set up direct deposit, and keep your CRA details updated. Benefits are automatically issued based on your tax information.

Q5. Why do people believe there’s a \$978 rebate?
The rumor spread on social media, but it has no basis in government announcements or official budget documents.