Updated July 2026. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment for December 2025 arrived early — on Thursday, December 12, instead of the usual date around the 20th.
Why It Came Early
The CRA moved the December payment up to avoid banking delays caused by holiday closures and year-end processing backlogs, ensuring families received their support well before the holiday season peaked. Most banks process direct deposits overnight, so recipients should have seen the payment by 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 12.
Payment Amounts
The December 12 payment reflected the higher CCB amounts that took effect in July 2025 (indexed to inflation) — up to $666.41 per child under the maximum benefit, with the actual amount depending on your adjusted family net income and the ages of your children.
Who Was Eligible
To receive the CCB, you generally need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for 18+ consecutive months with a valid permit in the 19th month.
Didn’t Receive It?
If your December 12 payment didn’t arrive, wait a few business days before contacting the CRA — cheque recipients in particular should expect delays around the holidays. Confirm that your most recent tax return has been filed and assessed, since a missing return is the most common reason a CCB payment stops or gets delayed.
For the full CCB payment calendar, see CRA’s Canada Child Benefit payment dates page.
Related Reading
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- New Canada Child Benefit Payment Coming Early in 2026
Every case is different. If you want a clear, personalized breakdown of your options — CRS score, eligible programs, and next steps — we can put one together for you.
