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The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — And It's Paying 25% More

  Sunday, July 19, 2026 If you've relied on the quarterly GST/HST credit, that name is gone for good. Here's what replaced it, how much more it's worth, and whether you need to do anything to get it. For years, the GST/HST credit quietly landed in millions of Canadian bank accounts every three months — a modest, tax-free top-up meant to offset sales tax on everyday purchases. As of this month, that program no longer exists under its old name. It's now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and the federal government has permanently increased the payment by 25%, locked in for five years. If you already qualified for the GST/HST credit, you don't need to apply for anything new. But you should know what changed, because the numbers — and the timeline — are more involved than a simple rename. What actually changed The CGEB was first announced by the federal government in January 2026 as part of a broader affordability push, and it became law with the passa...

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Canadian Dental Care Plan: Who Qualifies?

 

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) aims to provide essential dental coverage to those in need. To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Canadian Residency: You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.

  2. Adjusted Family Net Income: Your adjusted family net income should be less than $90,000. This calculation considers various factors, including income reported on tax returns and any universal child care benefit or registered disability savings plan income received.

  3. Filed Tax Return: You must have filed your tax return in the previous year.

  4. No Access to Dental Insurance: To qualify, you must not have access to dental insurance. This includes coverage through employers, family members, pensions, professional or student organizations, or group plans from insurance companies. Even if you choose to opt out of available benefits, you are still considered to have access to dental insurance.

If you already have dental coverage through provincial, territorial, or federal government social programs, you can still qualify for the CDCP. In such cases, your coverage will be coordinated to avoid duplication or gaps in care.

Remember that providing false information on your application may result in removal from the plan, and ineligible family members may need to repay the full cost of care received through the CDCP.


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