The Canada Child Benefit is the largest direct cash transfer the federal government makes to Canadian families. For the July 2025 – June 2026 benefit year, eligible families with kids under 6 can receive up to $7,787 per child per year; for kids 6-17, up to $6,570 per child per year. The benefit is tax-free, paid monthly, and (most importantly for newcomer families) you don’t earn it — you just need to qualify and apply.
The 2026 CCB amounts (July 2025 – June 2026 benefit year)
- Children under 6: up to $7,787 per child per year ($648.91/month)
- Children aged 6 to 17: up to $6,570 per child per year ($547.50/month)
- Child disability benefit (CDB) supplement: additional $3,322/year per child with an approved Disability Tax Credit
These maxes apply if your family net income (line 23600 of last year’s T1) was under $36,502. Above that, the benefit is reduced by formula:
How the income-based reduction works
- Family income $0 – $36,502: full benefit
- Family income $36,502 – $79,087: benefit reduced by 7% for 1 child, 13.5% for 2, 19% for 3, 23% for 4+ on the income above $36,502
- Family income above $79,087: larger second-tier reduction kicks in (an additional 3.2% to 9.5% based on number of kids)
- Families with $240K+: usually receive $0 CCB
Real example: Two-parent family in Ontario, family net income $60,000, two kids ages 3 and 5. Both kids are under 6, so the max is $7,787 × 2 = $15,574. Income reduction = 13.5% × ($60,000 – $36,502) = 13.5% × $23,498 = $3,172. CCB received: $15,574 – $3,172 = $12,402/year ($1,034/month).
Eligibility
- You live with the child and they’re under 18
- You’re primarily responsible for their care + upbringing
- You’re a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- You (or your spouse/common-law partner) are: a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, temporary resident living in Canada 18+ months with a valid permit, or an Indigenous person under the Indian Act
The “primarily responsible” definition matters in shared custody. Single parents typically get the full amount; in 50/50 shared custody, each parent gets 50% of the family-income-adjusted amount.
How to apply
- Have all parents file tax returns. Even with zero income, both parents must file every year to keep receiving CCB. Skipping a year = benefit stops.
- Apply through CRA My Account or by mailing Form RC66. If you’re a newcomer, also complete Schedule RC66SCH (Status in Canada). For newborns, registering the birth with the province usually automatically triggers a CCB application — but verify in My Account.
- Set up direct deposit. In CRA My Account → Profile → Direct deposit. Adds your bank info. Payments arrive on the 20th of each month (or the closest business day before).
- Wait 8-11 weeks for the first payment. First-time applications take longer. Subsequent annual renewals are automatic if you file your tax return.
Payment dates for 2026
CCB is paid monthly, on the 20th (or the closest business day before). Remaining 2026 payment dates: June 20, July 20, August 20, September 19, October 20, November 20, December 12 (December is earlier so families have it before the holidays).
Related guides
- The GST/HST Credit and Canada Child Benefit (Newcomer Guide)
- The Complete Guide to Filing Taxes in Canada
- How to Apply for CRA My Account
FAQ
Canada Child Benefit FAQ
Is the Canada Child Benefit taxable?
No — CCB is completely tax-free. You don’t report it as income on your tax return. The CRA uses your tax return’s net income to calculate your benefit amount, but the benefit itself isn’t taxed.
Can newcomers receive the Canada Child Benefit?
Yes, immediately upon becoming a Canadian resident for tax purposes if you’re a citizen, PR, or have lived in Canada 18+ months with a valid permit. Apply with Form RC66 + Schedule RC66SCH (Status in Canada) as soon as you arrive — there’s no waiting period.
Why did my CCB amount change in July?
The benefit is recalculated every July based on the previous year’s tax return. If your 2024 income changed significantly from 2023, your CCB will shift in July 2025’s payment. Big income drops can mean big benefit increases — and vice versa.
What happens to CCB if I have shared custody?
In 50/50 shared custody, each parent receives 50% of the benefit amount based on their own family income. So a higher-income parent receives less even at the same 50% share, and a lower-income parent receives more. The CRA calls this “shared custody” status; both parents must register the arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my CCB if I miss filing a tax return one year?
Your payments stop. The CRA uses line 23600 from both parents’ returns to recalculate the benefit every July, so if either spouse skips a year, CCB pauses until both returns are filed and assessed. Once you catch up, the CRA will usually backpay up to 11 months of missed payments — but anything older than that is generally lost unless you write to the CRA requesting a review with a reason.
Do I have to be married or have a custody order to apply?
No. The CRA’s test is who is “primarily responsible” for the child’s care and upbringing — not legal custody. By default, the CRA presumes the female parent in a male-female household is primarily responsible (this is in the Income Tax Act, section 122.6), but either parent can apply and provide a signed letter from the other parent confirming responsibility. For same-sex couples or single parents, you just apply on Form RC66 and indicate the arrangement.
What if my income drops significantly mid-year — do I have to wait until July for more CCB?
Generally yes, because the July–June benefit year is locked to the prior tax year’s net income. When my mom asked me about this for a relative whose hours got cut, I had to explain that a 2025 income drop won’t show up in CCB until July 2026, after the 2025 return is filed and assessed. The one exception is a major change in family situation (separation, death of a spouse, child leaving your care) — you report those through CRA My Account and the benefit is recalculated right away.
Can I get the Child Disability Benefit added automatically?
Only after the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is approved for your child. You file Form T2201 with a medical practitioner’s certification, and once the CRA approves it, the $3,322/year CDB supplement (2025–2026 benefit year) is added to your monthly CCB automatically — no separate application. Approval can take 8–12 weeks, and the CRA will backdate the supplement to when the disability began if that’s documented on the T2201.
Does the CCB count as income for other benefits like subsidized daycare or the Canada Workers Benefit?
No. Because CCB isn’t taxable and doesn’t appear on line 23600, it’s excluded from the income tests for most federal benefits (GST/HST credit, CWB, OAS clawback). Provincial programs vary — Ontario’s subsidized child care, for example, uses adjusted family net income from your notice of assessment, which excludes CCB. Always check the specific program’s definition of income, but as a rule, CCB is invisible to other income-tested benefits.
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