Canada Child Benefit: Payment Dates, Amount and Eligibility
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sends to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18. For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 per year for each child under 6 and up to $6,883 per year for each child aged 6 to 17. The amount you receive depends on your adjusted family net income, the number of children in your household, and their ages.
This guide covers the 2026 payment schedule, benefit amounts, eligibility rules, how income affects your payments, and how to apply.
What Is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit is a federal government program that provides monthly financial support to Canadian families raising children. The CRA calculates your CCB amount based on your adjusted family net income (AFNI) from the previous year’s tax return. The benefit year runs from July to June, so payments from July 2026 to June 2027 are based on your 2025 tax return. Both parents or guardians must file their tax returns each year for the CRA to calculate the benefit. If either parent does not file, CCB payments can stop until the return is processed.
The Canada Child Benefit is completely tax-free, which means you do not report it as income on your tax return and it does not affect your taxable income on line 15000 on your tax return. The CCB replaced the former Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) and Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) in 2016. Unlike the old system, the current CCB is income-tested and delivers higher payments to lower income families. The benefit is also indexed to inflation, which means the CRA increases payment amounts every July to keep pace with the cost of living.
The CCB may also include the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) for families with a child approved for the Disability Tax Credit. For the 2026 to 2027 benefit year, the CDB provides up to $3,480 per year ($290 per month) for each eligible child on top of the regular CCB amount. Some provinces and territories add their own child benefits alongside the federal CCB. In Alberta, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a separate payment that eligible families receive in addition to the federal benefit.
Canada Child Benefit Payment Dates for 2026
The CRA deposits CCB payments on a fixed schedule, typically around the 20th of each month. Payments are delivered by direct deposit or cheque depending on how you set up your CRA account. Direct deposit is the fastest method, and families who sign up through CRA My Account usually receive their payment on the scheduled date. Cheque recipients may experience a delay of a few business days. If your payment does not arrive on the expected date, the CRA recommends waiting five business days before calling for assistance.
The 2026 calendar year includes payments from two different benefit years. Payments from January to June 2026 belong to the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, which uses your 2024 tax return to calculate amounts. Payments from July to December 2026 belong to the new July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, which uses your 2025 tax return. This is why some families notice a change in their payment amount every July. The recalculation reflects any changes in your income, the number of children in your household, and the annual inflation adjustment.
Filing your tax return on time is critical to avoiding interruptions in your CCB payments. If you file late, the CRA cannot calculate your new benefit amount, and payments may stop until your return is processed. Both parents must file, even if one spouse had no income during the year. Families who also claim child care expenses in Calgary or wonder about who claims child care expenses in Canada should coordinate both filings to maximize their total benefits. The Canada Workers Benefit payment dates follow a different schedule, so families receiving both should track each payment calendar separately.
2026 CCB Payment Schedule
The CRA has confirmed all 12 payment dates for the 2026 calendar year.
| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January | January 20, 2026 |
| February | February 20, 2026 |
| March | March 20, 2026 |
| April | April 20, 2026 |
| May | May 20, 2026 |
| June | June 19, 2026 |
| July | July 20, 2026 |
| August | August 20, 2026 |
| September | September 18, 2026 |
| October | October 20, 2026 |
| November | November 20, 2026 |
| December | December 11, 2026 |
How Much Is the Canada Child Benefit?
The amount you receive depends on your adjusted family net income, the age of your children, and which benefit year applies. For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, the maximum annual CCB is $8,157 per child under 6 ($679.75 per month) and $6,883 per child aged 6 to 17 ($573.58 per month). These maximums apply to families with an AFNI of $38,237 or less. A family with two children under 6 and income below this threshold would receive the full $16,314 per year, which works out to $1,359.50 per month. The CRA increased these amounts by approximately 2% from the previous benefit year to account for inflation.
The benefit is reduced gradually as your income rises above $38,237. The CRA uses a two-tier reduction system. Between $38,237 and $82,847, the benefit decreases by a percentage of income above the first threshold. Above $82,847, a second and slower reduction formula applies. For a family with one child, the Phase 1 reduction is 7% of income above $38,237. A family earning $65,000 with one child under 6 would see their annual CCB reduced by approximately $1,873, bringing their total benefit to about $6,284 per year.
Understanding how your net income affects the CCB is important for families making tax planning decisions. Contributing to an RRSP reduces your net income, which can increase your CCB payments. A family that contributes $10,000 to an RRSP lowers their AFNI by that same amount, which may push them into a lower reduction tier and result in higher monthly CCB deposits. This connection between RRSP contributions and CCB payments is one of the most overlooked tax planning strategies for Canadian families with children.
CCB Maximum Amounts: 2025-2026 vs 2026-2027
The table below shows how CCB amounts increased between the two benefit years.
| Detail | July 2025 to June 2026 | July 2026 to June 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Max per child under 6 (annual) | $7,997 | $8,157 |
| Max per child under 6 (monthly) | $666.41 | $679.75 |
| Max per child 6 to 17 (annual) | $6,748 | $6,883 |
| Max per child 6 to 17 (monthly) | $562.33 | $573.58 |
| Full benefit AFNI threshold | $37,487 | $38,237 |
| Second reduction threshold | $81,222 | $82,847 |
| Child Disability Benefit (annual) | $3,411 | $3,480 |
| Based on tax return from | 2024 | 2025 |
Who Is Eligible for the Canada Child Benefit?
You must live with a child who is under 18 years of age, and you must be the person primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of that child. Primary responsibility means you are the parent who handles daily activities like supervising the child, arranging medical care, and managing their overall well-being. The CRA typically assumes the mother is the primary caregiver, but either parent can receive the benefit.
You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, temporary residents who have lived in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months, and individuals registered under the Indian Act all qualify. New permanent residents should apply for the CCB immediately after arriving in Canada.
Calgary Tax Consulting helps families across Calgary with personal income tax in Calgary, tax review in Calgary, and year end tax planning to make sure tax returns are filed correctly and on time so CCB payments are never interrupted. Filing both parents’ returns, maximizing deductions to lower your AFNI, and coordinating the CCB with other family benefits like the Canada Workers Benefit and child care expense deductions are all part of a complete family tax strategy.
How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit?
The application process is straightforward, and most families can complete it online or automatically at birth registration.
Step 1: Check your eligibility: Confirm that you live with a child under 18, you are primarily responsible for their care, and you are a Canadian resident for tax purposes. Both parents must have filed their most recent tax returns before the CRA can calculate the benefit.
Step 2: Choose your application method: The fastest option is through CRA My Account online. Alberta families who register a newborn through Alberta Vital Statistics can opt in to automatic CCB registration at the same time, which eliminates the need to apply separately. If you prefer to apply by mail, complete Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) and send it to your local CRA tax centre.
Step 3: Gather your documents: You will need your social insurance number, proof of birth for the child, and proof of citizenship or residency status. New immigrants should also include documentation of their immigration status. Keep copies of everything you submit.
Step 4: Submit and wait for processing: Online applications through CRA My Account are typically processed within eight weeks. Mail applications may take longer. The CRA will send you a notice confirming your eligibility and the amount you will receive.
Step 5: Maintain your benefit: File both parents’ tax returns on time every year to keep payments running without interruption. The CRA recalculates your payment every July based on the most recent tax return. If your income changed significantly, your family structure changed, or a child turned 6 during the year, you may notice an adjustment in your July payment. The CRA can pay retroactive benefits for up to 10 years, so families who missed applying when their child was born can still request back payments.
Families who also receive the Alberta child and family benefit should track both payment schedules since the provincial benefit follows its own calendar and calculation. Understanding child care expenses vs child tax credit differences helps families coordinate all available benefits without confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much is the Canada Child Benefit per child?
For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, the maximum is $8,157 per year ($679.75 per month) for each child under 6 and $6,883 per year ($573.58 per month) for each child aged 6 to 17. The amount decreases as family income rises above $38,237.
Q. When are CCB payments deposited in 2026?
CCB payments are typically deposited around the 20th of each month. The CRA has confirmed all 12 dates for 2026, with slight variations in June (19th), September (18th), and December (11th).
Q. Is the Canada Child Benefit taxable?
No. The CCB is a tax-free payment. You do not report it as income on your tax return, and it does not affect your taxable income.
Q. What happens to CCB if I file my tax return late?
The CRA may stop your CCB payments until your return is processed. Both parents must file their tax returns each year for the benefit to be calculated. Filing late can also delay the July recalculation.
Q. Can both parents receive the Canada Child Benefit?
In shared custody situations where the child lives equally with both parents, the CRA splits the CCB payment 50/50. In all other cases, only the primary caregiver receives the full payment.