CRA Confirms $628 Grocery Rebate in October 2025.There has been a lot of conversation online about Canada giving a $628 Grocery Rebate to eligible people in October 2025. While this sounds like good news, the truth is quite different. The only official grocery rebate was a one-time payment made in July 2023, confirmed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Since then, no new rebate payments have been announced or planned.
Many posts on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Reddit have been spreading this idea, making it seem like the government is giving out more money to help with rising grocery costs. However, these claims are misleading and can sometimes be part of scams trying to trick people into sharing personal information.
It is important to rely on official sources for updates about government benefits and to be careful about what you believe online. There are real programs in place to assist Canadians with their expenses, but the $628 grocery rebate for October 2025 is not one of them. In fact, the claim about this new rebate is false and just a rumor circulating on the internet.
Overview of the Canada Grocery Rebate
| Name of Program | Canada Grocery Rebate |
| Administered By | Canada Revenue Agency |
| Payment Amount | $628 |
| Actual Program Date | July 05, 2023 (One-Time Payment) |
| Eligibility (2023) | Individuals and families with low to moderate income |
| Fact Check | False |
| Post Category | Finance |
| Official Website | Canada.ca |
What Was the Grocery Rebate Canada and Why Was It Made?
To understand why this rumor sounds real, it is advised to look back at what actually happened.
In 2023, many Canadians were struggling with rising prices. Grocery costs were going up faster than most people’s incomes, and inflation was making things harder for everyday families. To help, the government included a Grocery Rebate in the 2023 Federal Budget. This was meant to help people with low and moderate incomes deal with the higher cost of living.
The rebate was not a new program but an extra payment added to the existing GST/HST credit. If you qualified for the GST/HST credit from your 2021 tax return, you got the Grocery Rebate automatically on July 5, 2023. There was no need to apply or fill out any forms.
The payments were roughly like this:
- Single people without kids: up to $234.
- Couples with two kids: up to $467.
- Seniors: about $225.
- Bigger families: up to $628.
Where Did the “October 2025 Grocery Rebate” Rumor Come From?
Social media often brings old stories back, especially when people are having money problems. Around mid-2025, posts started spreading on sites like Facebook and Telegram saying that another $628 rebate would be given in October.
Some even showed fake screenshots that looked like official emails from the CRA or government announcements. But when reporters and fact-checkers looked into it, there was no proof from any government source. Nothing was found on Canada.ca.
The Canada Revenue Agency has clearly said many times that no new Grocery Rebate for 2025 has been announced or planned. Their “Recognize a scam” page warns about fake rebates, fake forms, and websites pretending to be official.
Why Did the Grocery Rebate Rumor Spread So Fast?
People are feeling the pressure of rising food costs. Statistics Canada says food prices went up almost 18% between 2022 and 2025, with things like meat, dairy, and veggies getting more expensive.
“A 2025 report from Dalhousie University found that the average family of four now spends over $16,200 annually on groceries, which is about $700 more than what they spent two years ago.”
– Dalhousie University Agri-Food Analytics Lab, 2025 Report
So, when someone promises free government money, it grabs attention. Scammers use this to trick people, making fake posts to get clicks, steal personal information, or spread harmful links disguised as rebate forms. Some even use AI-made images of news reporters or fake “CRA press conferences” to make their lies look real.
How to Tell What is Real and What is Fake?
It is easy to get tricked because scams often look just like official sites. But here are some simple steps to keep safe:
- Visit only to Canada.ca.
The official government website is www.canada.ca. If you don’t see information there, it’s probably fake. - Ignore texts and messages.
CRA won’t send you texts, WhatsApp, or social media messages about rebates or refunds. - Check email addresses.
Official CRA emails end with @cra-arc.gc.ca. If it’s anything else like @rebate-gov.ca or @canadabonus.com, be careful, it’s likely a scam. - See if big news sites report it.
If CBC, Global News, or CTV haven’t talked about it, it’s probably not true. - Report scams.
If you get suspicious messages, send them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at report@antifraudcentre.ca.
CRA’s Official Statement on the Rumor
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has clearly addressed the false claims. On their official scam prevention page, they say:
“There is no new Grocery Rebate. It was a one-time payment made in July 2023. The CRA does not send texts, social media messages, or emails about new rebates.”
They also tell Canadians to check their My CRA Account to see real payments. If you do not see a payment there, it is not real.
What Financial Supports Are Available in 2025?
Even though the grocery rebate ended, some real support programs are still helping people in 2025:
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Monthly tax-free money to parents for kids under 18, based on income and number of kids.
- GST/HST Credit: Quarterly payments to help with sales taxes.
- Canada Workers Benefit (CWB): Tax credit for low-income workers, with an option to get some money in advance.
- Canada Carbon Rebate: Payments every few months to help with carbon pricing in most provinces.
These programs are official, backed by law, and show up automatically in your CRA account if you qualify.
What To Do If You Clicked or Shared a Fake Link?
Scammers are very tricky. If you clicked on or shared one of those fake “$628 rebate” links, do not panic but act fast:
- Change your CRA and bank passwords right away.
- Run antivirus scans on your devices to check for malware.
- Contact your bank if you gave out any account information.
- Report the scam to report@antifraudcentre.ca.
- Warn your family and friends, especially older people who are often targeted.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Canada Grocery Rebate
1. Is there a new grocery rebate in 2025?
No, the grocery rebate was a one-time payment in 2023. There is no new rebate in 2025.
2. How can I check if I got a real payment?
Log into your My CRA Account to see all official payments.
3. What should I do if I clicked a fake rebate link?
Change your passwords, scan for viruses, contact your bank, and report the scam.
4. What real financial support exists in 2025?
Programs like the Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST Credit, Canada Workers Benefit, and Carbon Rebate are active.
5. Does the CRA send texts or emails about rebates?
No, CRA does not send texts or social media messages about new rebates.
