Updated July 2026. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for families raising children under 18, administered by the CRA and recalculated every July based on the prior year’s income — not in January, even though people sometimes expect a January change.
2026 CCB Payment Dates
- January 20
- February 20
- March 20
- April 20
- May 20
- June 19
- July 20
- August 20
- September 18
- October 20
- November 20
- December 11
2025-26 Benefit Year Amounts
For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, maximum amounts are:
- Children under 6: up to $7,997/year ($666.41/month)
- Children 6 to 17: up to $6,748/year ($562.33/month)
Your actual payment depends on your adjusted family net income (AFNI) and number of children — amounts phase down gradually above the income threshold rather than cutting off abruptly.
Extra Support for Children With Disabilities
If your child qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, the Child Disability Benefit adds extra monthly support on top of your regular CCB amount, subject to the same income-testing framework.
Why the July Recalculation Matters
Because your CCB amount is based on the previous year’s tax return and recalculates every July, filing your taxes on time — even with no income to report — is what keeps your payments accurate and uninterrupted. A late tax filing can delay or reduce your CCB even if your actual eligibility hasn’t changed.
