Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Payment Dates in 2026

Raising a child is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it's also one of the most expensive. From diapers and daycare to clothing and sports, the costs of bringing up a child continue to rise. 

For many Canadian families, trying to make ends meet while giving their children the opportunities and experiences they deserve can feel like an impossible balancing act. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is meant to help. This benefit is one of the most important supports available to parents and can make a meaningful difference in your family’s financial well-being. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the CCB. From what it is and how it works, who qualifies, how much you can receive, and how to apply.  

What is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?

The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment available from the federal government to eligible families. Its purpose is to help parents and caregivers manage the cost of raising children under 18 years old. 

Some families may also be eligible for the Child Disability Benefit (CDB), which is aimed at families who have a child under 18 with a severe or prolonged physical or mental impairment. Some provinces and territories also offer separate child and family benefits. 

Canada Child Benefit Payment Dates (2026)

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is responsible for sending out monthly CCB payments. The fastest way to get your payments is by signing up for direct deposit with the CRA. 

The Canada Child Benefit is typically paid on the 20th of each month. Here are the official 2026 payment dates:

• 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

Source: Canada Revenue Agency

Most payments arrive around the 20th. If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is issued on the previous business day. The December payment comes a little early, so families have money on hand before the holidays. 

If your payment is late, do the following before you contact the CRA:

• Check the status of your payments through your CRA account

• Ensure all of your personal information is up to date

• Check if there’s any other reason your payment may have stopped

If you still can’t figure it out, wait five business days after you expected your payment to call the CRA. 

Who is Eligible for the CCB?

To be eligible for the CCB, you must live with or care for a child who is under the age of 18 years. You must also meet all of the following criteria:

1. You’re primarily responsible for the upbringing and care of the child (looking after their daily needs, arranging childcare, ensuring their medical needs are met)

2. You’re a Canadian resident for tax purposes

3. You or your spouse or common-law partner must be one of the following:

   • Canadian citizen

   • Permanent resident

   • Protected person (has a positive Notice of Decision)

   • Temporary resident

   • Registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act

4. You’re not applying for a foster child who’s already receiving the Children's Special Allowance (CSA).

If you and your spouse or common law partner both live in the same home as your child, it’s typically the female parent who is presumed to be the primary responsible caregiver. If this is true for your family, then the female parent should apply for CCB. 

However, if the other parent is the primary caregiver, they should apply and attach a letter with their signature to state they are primarily responsible for the child or children. 

For same sex parents, only one person should apply. 

In a shared custody situation (the child lives with you between 40% to 60% of the time), both individuals should apply for CCB.

How Much Is the Canada Child Benefit?

The maximum amount you can receive for each child is: 

• Under six years old: $7,997 per year ($666.41 per month)

• Six to 17 years old: $6,748 per year ($562.33 per month)

The following criteria are used to determine your monthly payments:

• Number of children in your care

• Age of your children

• Your adjusted family net income (AFNI) is based on your previous year’s tax return 

Your AFNI is the total amount of money your family earns in a year, minus any deductions, such as contributions to a registered retirement savings account (RRSP). 

If you have a spouse or common-law partner, both of your incomes are added together to determine your AFNI. Then the government uses this number to figure out how much CCB your family should receive.

If your AFNI is under $37,487, you’ll typically receive the maximum amount for each child. The more income you earn over this amount, the smaller your CCB payments will be. 

Let’s look at a few examples: 

• Family earning $35,000: You qualify for the maximum amount for each child, and your payments won’t be reduced. 

• Family earning $80,000: Since you earn more than $37,487, you’ll receive reduced monthly payments. 

• Family earning $150,000: You can expect a significant reduction in your monthly payments since you earn a higher income. 

The federal government scales the CCB program so that the families who need the most financial help get the highest payments. 

To estimate how much you can get based on your family's situation, you can use the government's child and family benefits calculator. 

How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit

There are three ways you can apply for CCB:

1. Register at birth. Complete the Automated Benefits Application provided at the hospital or birthing centre at the same time as you register your child's birth. Note that this option is not available in Nunavut.

2. Apply online. You can also apply through your CRA account. This is a convenient option if you’ve already registered for an account. 

3. By mail. If you can’t apply using the other methods, you can fill out the Canada Child Benefits Application and mail it to your tax centre. 

Processing time varies between the three options. The mail-in option generally takes the longest. 

No matter how you submit your application, make sure you include all of the required information. If the government needs to contact you for more details, it can delay your application and payments.  

Why Did My Canada Child Benefit Amount Increase?

The Canada Child Benefit is indexed to inflation, which means payments are adjusted each year to help families keep up with the rising cost of living.

Each July, the federal government reviews inflation data and increases CCB payment amounts accordingly. These updates apply to the new benefit year, which runs from July to June of the following year.

For example, the payment amounts listed above apply to the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year. In July 2026, CCB payments are expected to increase again, although the exact amounts will depend on inflation.

If you notice a change in your CCB payment starting in July, it’s usually due to one (or both) of the following:

• Annual indexation:

  Payment amounts increase to reflect inflation

• Updated income information:

  Your payments are recalculated based on your most recent tax return

Because of this, your payment may go up, go down, or stay the same depending on your family’s financial situation.

What Other Benefits Can You Get Alongside CCB?

There are other benefits available to parents and caregivers in addition to CCB, including the child disability benefit (CDB) and provincial and territorial benefits.  

Child disability benefit (CDB)

The child disability benefit is meant to help families with the extra cost of raising a child under 18 with a disability. To get the CDB, your child must be eligible for CCB and the disability tax credit (DTC). 

• Payments are given for the period of July 2025 to June 2026

• Maximum payments are $3,411 ($284.25 per month) for each eligible child

• The benefit starts being reduced when your AFNI is greater than $81,222

• Reduction rates depend on your income and the number of children with disabilities

Provincial benefits

Certain provinces and territories offer additional assistance for families. Some of the benefits are combined with CCB into a single monthly payment, while others are separate. 

For example, in Ontario:

• The Ontario child benefit (OCB) is combined with the CCB into a single monthly payment

• Eligible families can receive up to $143.91 per month per eligible child under 18 years

• If your AFNI is above $26,364, you may only receive a partial benefit  

For example, in Alberta: 

• The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a separate payment from the CCB

• It has two parts: a base amount for lower-income families and a working component for families who earn more than $2,760

• The maximum amount you receive depends on how many kids you have and whether you qualify for both parts of the benefit 

• If your AFNI is above $27,565, your benefit is reduced

• If your AFNI is between $27,565 and $46,191, you may receive partial benefits 

In most cases, you don’t need to apply for these programs separately. The CRA uses your information from the CCB to determine your eligibility. 

How to Make the Most of Your CCB Payments

Without a plan, it’s easy to spend extra income without any contribution to your financial goals. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of your CCB payments. 

• Cover essentials. Use the money to pay for groceries, clothing, childcare, or school supplies. 

• Pay down debt. If you use CCB income to cover essentials, you might be able to redirect your regular income to other financial goals, like debt repayment. 

• Build an emergency fund. To prepare for unexpected expenses or situations, like the loss of a job, consider saving a portion of your CCB payment in an emergency fund. To maximize your savings, consider using a high-interest savings account (HISA). 

• Contribute to an RESP. Consider starting a registered education savings plan for your child. The government provides grants (free money) to help grow your RESP.  

Since CCB comes in regular monthly payments, this can help you create a consistent budget. 

To make saving as easy as possible, consider automating your monthly emergency fund or RESP contributions. 

Do You Need to Apply Every Year?

You only need to apply for the CCB once. After that, you’ll continue to receive payments for as long as you’re eligible. 

To stay eligible, you’ll need to file your taxes every year, even if you don’t earn any income.  If you don’t do your taxes, your payments will stop. 

The Bottom Line

The Canada child benefit, in addition to the Canada disability benefit and provincial and territorial supports, provides meaningful financial assistance to families in Canada. Knowing the CCB payment dates, how much you can get, if you’re eligible and how to apply can help you access this benefit as soon as possible. After you apply, make sure you continue to file your annual tax return in order to keep receiving the benefit for as long as you're eligible.