The next Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment is scheduled for March 20, 2026, according to the Government of Canada’s official benefits calendar and CRA’s CCB payment date page. The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18.
Official payment dates: CCB payment dates (CRA) and Benefits payment calendar (Government of Canada).
CCB payment dates for the rest of 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: CRA CCB payment dates.
How much is the CCB for March 2026
The March 2026 payment is part of the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year. CRA’s published maximum amounts for this benefit year are:
- Child under 6: up to $7,997 per year (about $666.41 per month)
- Child aged 6 to 17: up to $6,748 per year (about $562.33 per month)
Your actual amount depends mainly on your adjusted family net income, the number of children, and their ages. Official details: How much you can get (CRA).
Who can qualify (including newcomers)
To qualify for the CCB, CRA looks at who is primarily responsible for the child and whether you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes. CRA also lists which immigration statuses can qualify.
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, and individuals registered (or entitled to be registered) under the Indian Act may qualify if they meet the other rules.
- Temporary residents may qualify only if they have lived in Canada for the previous 18 months and have a valid permit in the 19th month that does not say “does not confer status.”
Official eligibility rules: Who can apply (CRA). Newcomer note from CRA: Newcomers to Canada and CRA benefits.
How to apply (and how to check your March 20 payment)
- Apply: How to apply for the CCB (CRA)
- Form option: Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application)
- Estimate your amount: Child and family benefits calculator (CRA)
- Check payment status and amount: sign in to your CRA account and look under “Benefits and credits.” CRA explains where to find this on the payment dates page: Check the status of your payments (CRA)
Why your payment can change (or not arrive on time)
CRA recalculates CCB every July based on your tax information from the previous year. CRA also lists common reasons payments may change, such as changes to marital status, custody arrangement, number of children, or when a child turns 6. Official list: Keep getting your payments (CRA).
Reality check
The March 20, 2026 date is fixed on CRA’s schedule, but the amount is personal. If you recently became eligible, changed custody, moved, updated your immigration permit, or haven’t filed taxes, your payment may be delayed or different than expected. The safest step is to check your CRA account and use CRA’s official calculator and eligibility pages before making financial decisions based on an estimated amount.
