Canada Child Benefit 2026: Payment Dates, Amounts, and Eligibility
OTTAWA, January 19, 2026 – The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) provides essential, tax-free monthly support to millions of families. With the 2026 payment schedule now confirmed, here is everything eligible parents need to know about upcoming deposits, how much they can receive, and how to ensure they don’t miss a payment.
2026 CCB Payment Schedule
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issues CCB payments monthly, typically around the 20th. When that date falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are issued on the last business day before. The following are the official payment dates for 2026.
| 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* |
*Adjusted date as the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday.
Payments are recalculated every July based on your family’s adjusted net income from the previous tax year. The benefit year runs from July to June.
2026-2027 Benefit Amounts and Income Thresholds
The CCB is a tax-free, income-tested benefit. The amount a family receives depends on the number of children, their ages, and the family’s adjusted net income.
Maximum Annual and Monthly Benefits
For the benefit period of July 2026 to June 2027 (based on your 2025 tax return), the maximum amounts are:
| Child’s Age | Maximum Annual Benefit | Approximate Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 years old | $8,157 | $679.75 |
| Aged 6 to 17 | $6,883 | $573.58 |
How Income Affects Your Payment
The benefit begins to phase out once a family’s adjusted net income exceeds a set threshold.
| Income Threshold (Based on 2025 Tax Return) | Effect on CCB Payment |
|---|---|
| Below $38,237 | Receive the maximum benefit for each child. |
| Above $38,237 | Payment gradually decreases. The benefit is fully phased out when adjusted family net income reaches approximately $204,000, depending on the number of children. |
Eligibility and How to Apply
To be eligible for the CCB, you must meet all the following criteria:
- You live with a child under 18 years of age.
- You are primarily responsible for the child’s care and upbringing.
- You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
- You or your spouse or common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months.
Applying is straightforward:
- At Birth: Use the Automated Benefits Application when registering your newborn’s birth with your province or territory.
- Online: Apply through “Apply for child benefits” in your CRA My Account.
- By Mail: Complete and mail Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, to your tax centre.
You and your spouse or common-law partner must file a tax return every year to continue receiving the benefit, even if you had no income.
Provincial and Territorial Benefits
The CRA also administers several related provincial and territorial programs. If you are eligible, these amounts are combined with your federal CCB into a single monthly payment. You do not need to apply separately for these benefits if you are already receiving the CCB.
- Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
- B.C. Family Benefit
- Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)
- Programs in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
Note: Residents of Quebec must apply for family allowances directly with Retraite Québec.
What to Do If You Have Not Received a Payment
If your payment does not arrive on the scheduled date:
- Wait 5 business days to account for processing delays.
- Check your CRA My Account to confirm the payment was issued and that your banking and address information is correct.
- Ensure you have filed your most recent tax return.
- If the payment is still missing, contact the CRA benefits line at 1-800-387-1193.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive retroactive CCB payments?
Yes. If you were eligible in the past but did not apply, you can request retroactive payments for up to 10 years. This is particularly important for newcomers to Canada.
What happens if my child turns 18?
CCB payments stop the month after your child turns 18.
What if I share custody of my child?
In shared custody arrangements (where the child lives with each parent at least 40% of the time), the benefit is typically split evenly. Each parent receives 50% of the amount they would have received with full custody, based on their individual income.
Has there been a recent change to the CCB rules?
Yes. Since January 2025, CCB payments (and the Child Disability Benefit) continue for six months following the death of a child, provided the recipient is otherwise eligible, to help with transition costs.
Where can I get an estimate of my benefits?
Use the official Child and Family Benefits Calculator on the CRA website.