Canadian Child Benefit Program Payment Dates 2026
TL; DR
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18. You can receive up to $7,997 annually per child under 6 and $6,748 for children 6-17, with amounts decreasing as family income rises above $37,487.
What is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment that helps eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18. The amount you receive depends on your adjusted family net income (AFNI), the number of children you have, and their ages.
Because the payment is tax-free, you don't report it as income on your tax return. Your benefits are recalculated every July based on your income from the previous tax year, ensuring the support adjusts to your family's financial situation.
Next Scheduled Payment
Ferbuary 20, 2026
Who Qualifies for the CCB?
You're eligible for the Canada Child Benefit if you meet all these requirements. You must:
Live with a child under 18 and be primarily responsible for their care.
Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Either you or your spouse must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, temporary resident, or registered under the Indian Act.
What "Primarily Responsible" Means
When two parents live together, the CRA presumes the female parent is primarily responsible. This is a legislative requirement, and only one payment per household is allowed. If the other parent is actually the primary caregiver, they can apply by including a signed letter from the female parent confirming this.
Requirements for Temporary Residents
If you have a temporary resident permit (work permit, study permit), you must keep it current to remain eligible. Submit a copy of your renewed permit to the CRA before it expires using the Submit Documents feature in your CRA My Account. If your permit expires without renewal, your benefits stop immediately.
Payment Dates and First Payment
CCB payment dates in 2026 are currently as follows:
January 20, 2026
February 20, 2026
March 20, 2026
April 20, 2026
May 20, 2026
June 19, 2026
July 20, 2026
August 20, 2026
September 18, 2026
October 20, 2026
November 20, 2026
December 11, 2026
Remember that dates are always subject to change, especially if they fall around holidays or on the weekend.
How Much Can You Receive?
For July 2025 to June 2026, the maximum benefit is $7,997 per year ($666.41 monthly) for each child under 6. Children aged 6-17 receive $6,748 per year ($562.33 monthly). These amounts are indexed to inflation annually.
How Income Affects Your Payment
Your AFNI is your adjusted family net income. It's basically your family's net income from line 23600 of your tax return. If your AFNI is below $37,487, you receive the maximum amount with no reduction.
Income between $37,487 and $81,222: Your benefit reduces by a percentage based on income over $37,487. The reduction rate is 7% for one child, 13.5% for two children, 19% for three children, and 23% for four or more.
Income above $81,222: Your benefit reduces by a fixed amount plus an additional percentage above $81,222.
Real Payment Examples
Martha has one child under 6 and earns $45,000:
Income over threshold: $45,000 - $37,487 = $7,513
Reduction: $7,513 × 7% = $525.91
Annual payment: $7,997 - $525.91 = $7,471.09 ($622.59 monthly)
Fatima has two children under 6 and earns $60,000:
Income over threshold: $60,000 - $37,487 = $22,513
Reduction: $22,513 × 13.5% = $3,039.25
Maximum for two children: $15,994
Annual payment: $15,994 - $3,039.25 = $12,954.75 ($1,079.56 monthly)
Julie has three children over 6 and earns $50,000:
Income over threshold: $50,000 - $37,487 = $12,513
Reduction: $12,513 × 19% = $2,377.47
Maximum for three: $20,244
Annual payment: $20,244 - $2,377.47 = $17,866.53 ($1,488.87 monthly)
Child Disability Benefit
If your child qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the CRA automatically adds up to $3,411 per year ($284.25 monthly) to your CCB payment. You don't apply separately; once the DTC is approved, the additional payment starts automatically.
How to Apply for the CCB
You have three ways to apply, depending on your situation.
Option 1: Birth Registration (Easiest for Newborns)
Apply when you register your baby's birth at the hospital or birthing centre. Complete the birth registration form, apply for the CCB within that form, and give consent for your province to share information with the CRA. You don't need to provide a separate birth certificate when using this method.
Option 2: Online Through CRA My Account
Sign in to your CRA My Account, select "Benefits and credits," then choose "+ Add" in the child information section. Confirm your account details, enter your child's information, and submit. If the CRA needs documents like proof of birth, use the "Submit documents" button to upload them.
Option 3: By Mail
Complete Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) and mail it with the required documents to your tax centre. You'll need proof of birth for each child if the CRA hasn't paid benefits for them before.
Documents You Might Need
Proof of birth is required if the CRA has never paid benefits for this child and you're not applying through birth registration. Birth certificates must show the child's full name and date of birth.
If you're applying more than 11 months late, you'll need extensive documentation. You must provide proof of citizenship. You need proof you live in Canada (lease, utility bills, driver's licence). You also need proof you're the primary caregiver (school records, daycare receipts, medical records).
Newcomers or returning residents must complete Schedule RC66SCH (Status in Canada/Statement of Income) along with Form RC66.
Keeping Your Payments Active
Two things are critical to maintain your CCB payments.
File Your Tax Return Every Year
You must file your income tax return by April 30 every year to continue receiving benefits. This applies even if you have no income or tax-exempt income. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they must file too. Your payments stop if you don't file.
If you file late, payments stop temporarily. Once the CRA assesses your return, they'll restart payments and send any missed amounts in a lump sum.
Report Changes Immediately
You must notify the CRA as soon as possible when these situations happen:
Address changes: Update your address even if you use direct deposit. The CRA mails important notices, and if they can't reach you, payments may stop.
Marital status changes: Getting married, separating, divorcing, or becoming widowed affects your benefit calculation. Report changes through your CRA My Account or call 1-800-387-1193.
Direct deposit changes: Don't close your old bank account too soon. Keep it open until the first payment successfully deposits in your new account. This can take up to a month.
A child stops living with you: Report immediately when a child leaves your care. Your entitlement stops the month after they leave. If you keep receiving payments, you'll have to repay them.
Custody arrangement changes: Report when you start or end shared custody, or when a child moves between full and shared custody arrangements.
Rules for Shared Custody
Shared custody rules depend on how much time the child spends with each parent.
Between 40% and 60% of the time (Shared Custody)
If the child lives with you 40-60% of the time, you have shared custody. Both parents should apply for the CCB. Each parent receives 50% of what they would get with full custody. The amount is calculated on their own individual income.
Example: The child lives one week with you and one week with the other parent. Or 4 days with you and 3 days with the other parent.
More Than 60% of Time (Full Custody)
If the child lives with you more than 60% of the time, you have full custody. Only you should apply. You receive 100% of the benefit based on your income.
Example: The child lives with you during the week and with the other parent every second weekend.
Less Than 40% of Time (No Custody)
If the child lives with you less than 40% of the time, you don't qualify for CCB. The other parent should apply.
Example: The child lives with you every second weekend only.
Why Your Payment Might Change
Annual July Recalculation
Every July, the CRA recalculates your benefit based on your previous year's tax return. Payments from July 2025 to June 2026 are based on your 2024 income. Income changes in 2025 won't affect your payments until July 2026.
Life Changes That Affect Payments
Your payment changes in several situations. It changes when your marital status changes or the number of children in your care changes. It changes when a child turns 6 (payment decreases) or turns 18 (payment stops). It also changes when your custody arrangement changes.
Overpayments
If you receive too much CCB, the CRA will send you a notice showing what you owe. They may reduce future CCB payments, tax refunds, or other credits until the overpayment is repaid. Avoid overpayments by reporting changes immediately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not filing your tax return: Set a reminder for early April every year. Your payments stop if you don't file, even with no income.
Not responding to CRA letters: Open and read every CRA letter immediately. Respond within 30 days. Not responding stops your payments.
Not updating your address: Update your address in your CRA My Account when you move, even with direct deposit.
Closing your bank account too soon: Keep your old account open until the first payment is deposited in your new account.
Not reporting a child left your care: Report immediately when a child stops living with you. Continuing to receive payments creates overpayments you must repay.
Temporary residents not renewing permits on time: Apply for permit renewal 3-6 months before expiration. Send proof to the CRA that your renewal is in progress.
Key Takeaways
The CCB provides up to $7,997 per year for children under 6 and $6,748 for children 6-17. Amounts decrease as family income rises above $37,487.
Apply through birth registration (easiest), online via CRA My Account, or by mailing Form RC66.
File your tax return every year by April 30 to keep receiving benefits, even with no income.
Report all changes immediately—address moves, marital status, bank accounts, and when children start or stop living with you.
Shared custody means each parent receives 50% of their individual entitlement when the child lives with each parent 40-60% of the time.
Your benefit recalculates every July based on the previous year's tax return, creating a one-year lag for income changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive the CCB with no income?
Yes, but you must still file your tax return every year, even with no income. The CRA needs your return to confirm eligibility. Free tax clinics can help you file.
Do I report CCB on my tax return?
No. The CCB is tax-free and doesn't need to be reported as income. It doesn't affect other benefits or credits.
What if my income increases mid-year?
Your benefit won't change until the next July recalculation. The CRA uses the previous year's tax return, so there's a one-year lag.
Can both parents receive CCB for the same child?
Only in shared custody situations where the child lives with each parent 40-60% of the time. Each parent receives 50% of what they'd get with full custody.
What if my temporary resident permit expired?
Your eligibility ends when your permit expires, unless you applied for renewal before expiration. Restore your status with IRCC, then reapply for CCB.
Can grandparents receive CCB?
Yes, grandparents can receive CCB. If a grandparent (or any relative) becomes primarily responsible for the child's care and the child lives with them, they can apply. They must meet all regular eligibility requirements.
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