Introduction
In recent months, Canadians have seen a surge of posts, ads, and even text messages claiming there’s a “new Grocery Rebate” program in 2025. Many families are wondering if it’s real — especially with grocery prices still hitting household budgets hard.
Here’s the truth: there is no new Grocery Rebate from the Canadian government in 2025. These viral messages are scams designed to steal your personal information.
But don’t worry — you can still save money on groceries. The smart way is by using legitimate cashback and coupon apps that pay you back on everyday purchases. In this guide, Taxtotech breaks down:
- ✅ What really happened with the Grocery Rebate in 2023
- ✅ Red flags to spot scams in 2025
- ✅ Current government relief programs you can still use
- ✅ 20 trusted cashback apps in Canada to actually save money
What Was the Grocery Rebate in Canada?
The original Grocery Rebate was a one-time payment announced in 2023.
- It was designed to help low- and modest-income Canadians facing high food prices.
- Payments were made via the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a top-up to the GST/HST Credit.
- Amounts varied depending on income and family size:
- Around $467 for a family of four
- Around $234 for a single adult
- Around $225 for seniors
👉 Important: This was a one-time benefit, not a recurring program. No new Grocery Rebate has been announced for 2025.
How to Spot Grocery Rebate Scams
Scammers are exploiting confusion around grocery rebates. Here are the biggest red flags:
| 🚩 Scam Red Flag | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Fake application forms | CRA never required people to apply separately. Payments were automatic. |
| Requests for SIN, banking info, or credit card details | Scammers use this to steal your identity or money. |
| “Act now” or “limited time” messaging | Creates panic so you don’t double-check. |
| Non-official websites | If it’s not on canada.ca or CRA, it’s fake. |
| Fees or deposits to get your rebate | The government never charges fees to send money. |
How to stay safe:
- Always verify announcements on canada.ca.
- Contact the CRA directly if you’re unsure.
- Never click links in suspicious emails or texts.
Current Government Benefits That Help with Food Costs
Even though the Grocery Rebate is over, Canadians still have access to relief through other programs:
- GST/HST Credit – quarterly payments for low/modest-income families
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB) – monthly support for families with children
- Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) – refundable tax credit for low-income workers
- National School Food Program – meals for children in schools
While none of these are “grocery rebates,” they can help offset rising food expenses.
20 Legitimate Grocery Cashback Apps in Canada
If you want real savings, these apps are proven, widely used, and actually pay out:
| Category | App | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery-focused | Checkout 51 | Upload receipts, weekly grocery offers. |
| Caddle | Earn from receipts, surveys, and short tasks. | |
| Eclipsa | Rebates on fresh produce, dairy, and meat. | |
| Store-specific rewards | PC Optimum | Earn points at Loblaws, Shoppers, and affiliates. |
| Scene+ | Works at Sobeys, Safeway, Metro and more. | |
| Flashfood | Huge discounts on near-expiry items. | |
| Online & multi-shopping | Rakuten Canada | Cashback on online grocery + other retailers. |
| TopCashback Canada | High cashback on online purchases. | |
| Great Canadian Rebates | Extra savings when shopping through their portal. | |
| Receipt-based | Receipt Hog | Upload receipts from any store. |
| Swagbucks Canada | Upload receipts, take surveys, earn gift cards. | |
| Ibotta | Limited Canada support, works in some stores. | |
| Finance & cards | KOHO | Cashback debit card + budgeting features. |
| Neo Financial | Cashback credit card for groceries. | |
| Ampli | Automatic cashback linked to bank cards. | |
| Coupons & flyers | Save.ca | Printable and digital coupons. |
| Websaver | Grocery coupons delivered by mail or printable. | |
| GoCoupons | Free coupons and discounts. | |
| Rewards apps | Drop | Earn rewards points for shopping at grocery stores. |
| Paymi | Cashback tied to CIBC bank cards. |
💡 Pro Tip: You can often upload the same receipt to multiple apps to maximize savings.
How Much Can You Save?
- Casual users (1–2 apps) → save $15–40/month
- Smart stackers (3–5 apps + coupons + cashback credit card) → save $75–100+/month
For families spending $800–1000/month on groceries, these savings add up to $1,200+ per year.
Safety Tips for Using Cashback Apps
- Download only from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Read privacy policies before signing up.
- Start with small redemptions to test payout reliability.
- Use trusted apps with Canadian user reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is the Grocery Rebate coming back in 2025?
No. The 2023 Grocery Rebate was a one-time payment. There’s no new rebate for 2025.
Q2. Are these cashback apps taxable?
Cashback is usually considered a discount, not income — so it’s not taxable. But survey or “extra earnings” may be taxable. Check with a tax advisor.
Q3. What’s the best app for families?
PC Optimum, Checkout 51, and Flashfood give the best results for bigger households.
Q4. Can I combine multiple apps?
Yes. Most apps allow uploading the same receipt — so you can “stack” rewards.
Q5. Are grocery rebate scam texts common?
Yes. Always ignore them. The CRA does not send rebates by text message.
Conclusion
The Grocery Rebate in Canada (2023) is over — and any “new rebate” messages in 2025 are scams. Don’t share personal or banking details with fake websites.
Instead, take control of your grocery bills by using trusted cashback apps. With smart stacking, coupons, and store rewards programs, Canadian families can realistically save hundreds of dollars a year.
