Canada Child Benefit: Up to $8,157 per Child for 2026-27
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The Canada child benefit (CCB) pays up to $8,157 a year for each child under 6 and up to $6,883 a year for each child aged 6 to 17, for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) pays it every month, tax-free, and the next payment after October 20, 2026 lands on November 20, 2026. All figures below come from the CRA, as checked on October 20, 2026.
This guide covers how much you can get, how your income reduces the benefit, the remaining payment dates, who qualifies, and how to apply. For other federal credits and filing deadlines, see our taxes hub.
What is the Canada child benefit?
The Canada child benefit is a monthly, tax-free payment to eligible families who care for children under 18. The CRA runs it and decides your amount each year from the tax returns you and your spouse or common-law partner file. You don't report CCB payments on your tax return.
The amount depends on three things. First, the number of children in your care. Next, the age of each child. Finally, your adjusted family net income (AFNI) from the previous year's tax return.
Your AFNI is line 23600 of your return, plus line 23600 of your spouse's or common-law partner's return. The CRA then subtracts any Universal Child Care Benefit and registered disability savings plan (RDSP) income received, and adds back any amounts repaid. Our explainer on your marginal tax rate shows how net income fits into the rest of your return.
CCB amounts for 2026-27
The CRA recalculates the benefit every July, and the CCB is indexed to inflation. Payments from July 2026 to June 2027 use your 2025 AFNI. As of October 20, 2026, the maximum amounts per child are:
- Under 6 years of age: $8,157 a year ($679.75 a month)
- 6 to 17 years of age: $6,883 a year ($573.58 a month)
You get the full amount for each child when your AFNI is under $38,237. Above that threshold, the benefit shrinks gradually. The reduction rate depends on how many children are in your care.
How the income reduction works
There are two income bands. Between $38,237 and $82,847 of AFNI, the CRA reduces your total benefit by a percentage of the income above $38,237. Above $82,847, it applies a fixed reduction plus a lower percentage of the income above $82,847.
| Children in your care | AFNI from $38,237 to $82,847 | AFNI above $82,847 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 7% of income over $38,237 | $3,123 + 3.2% of income over $82,847 |
| 2 children | 13.5% of income over $38,237 | $6,022 + 5.7% of income over $82,847 |
| 3 children | 19% of income over $38,237 | $8,476 + 8% of income over $82,847 |
| 4 or more children | 23% of income over $38,237 | $10,260 + 9.5% of income over $82,847 |
The CRA gives this example for one child. Martha has one child under 6 and an AFNI of $45,000. Her income is $6,763 over the threshold, and 7% of that is $473.41. As a result, she receives $8,157 minus $473.41, or $7,683.59 for July 2026 to June 2027, about $640.29 a month.
Child disability benefit
If your child is eligible for the disability tax credit, you may also get the child disability benefit. For July 2026 to June 2027, it pays up to $3,480 a year ($290 a month) per eligible child. The CRA adds it to your CCB payment automatically. Our guide on how to apply for the disability tax credit explains the first step.
CCB payment dates
The CRA pays the CCB around the 20th of each month. December payments come earlier because of the holidays. Here are the dates the CRA has published for the rest of 2026:
- October 20, 2026
- November 20, 2026
- December 11, 2026
If your total benefit for the year is less than $240, you don't receive monthly payments. Instead, the CRA pays one lump sum with your July payment. If a payment doesn't arrive on the expected date, the CRA asks you to wait 5 business days before you contact it.
Who is eligible for the CCB?
You can get the CCB if you meet all of these conditions:
- A child under 18: you live with a child who is under 18 years old.
- Primary caregiver: you are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child.
- Canadian residency: you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
- Status in Canada: you or your spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person, a person registered (or entitled to be registered) under the Indian Act, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months and holds a valid permit in the 19th month.
- No double payment: you are not applying for a foster child who already receives the Children's Special Allowance.
How shared custody affects payments
The CRA considers custody shared when a child lives with you at least 40% of the time, or on an approximately equal basis with another person at a different address. In that case, each parent receives 50% of what they would get with full custody. Each half is calculated with that parent's own AFNI.
The CRA does not split the benefit using other percentages. It also won't pay the full amount to one parent when it considers custody to be shared.
How to apply for the CCB
You should apply as soon as you meet the eligibility criteria and one of these events happens: your child is born, a child starts to live with you, you begin or change a shared custody arrangement, or you get custody of a child. The CRA offers three ways to apply:
- When you register your newborn's birth: most provinces and territories let you consent to share the birth registration with the CRA through the Automated Benefits Application.
- Online through your CRA account: sign in to My Account and select "Apply for child benefits".
- By mail: fill out Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, and send it to your tax centre.
Newcomers must also fill out Schedule RC66SCH, Status in Canada/Statement of Income, and mail it with Form RC66. Our guide on how to open a bank account as a newcomer covers the direct deposit side.
How to keep your payments coming
You and your spouse or common-law partner must file a tax return every year, even if you had no income. The CRA uses those returns to recalculate the benefit each July. Our step-by-step guide on how to file taxes in Canada walks through the options.
According to the CRA, payments often stop for one of these reasons:
- You didn't file your tax return.
- You didn't answer a CRA letter about your situation.
- You moved or changed bank accounts without telling the CRA.
- Your marital status changed.
- Your child turned 18, or a child is no longer in your care.
- Your AFNI is now too high.
Quebec families: the Allocation famille
If you live in Quebec, you can receive the CCB and Quebec's own Allocation famille. Retraite Québec runs the Allocation famille, not the CRA, and it uses your Quebec tax return. For 2026, the annual amounts per child are:
- Maximum: $3,068, plus $1,077 for a single-parent family
- Minimum: $1,221, plus $430 for a single-parent family
Retraite Québec pays it four times a year, in January, April, July, and October. You can ask for monthly payments instead. It also pays a school supplies supplement of $127 per eligible child each July.
What to do with your CCB payments
The CCB is meant to cover the cost of raising children, so most families spend it as it arrives. If you can set some aside, a registered education savings plan (RESP) attracts federal grants on top of your contributions. Our RESP guide explains how the grants work.
For short-term savings, a no-fee account with a decent interest rate keeps the money accessible. Compare current offers in our ranking of the best savings accounts in Canada. To see what regular deposits add up to over time, try our compound interest calculator.
Conclusion
The Canada child benefit pays up to $8,157 per child under 6 and up to $6,883 per child aged 6 to 17 for July 2026 to June 2027. Your amount depends on your 2025 adjusted family net income, the number of children in your care, and their ages. The remaining 2026 payments arrive on November 20 and December 11.
The single most useful habit is filing your tax return on time every year, for both partners. In addition, check your CRA account after any change in custody, address, or marital status. If you also qualify for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the CRA uses the same returns to pay it.
To get CRA deadlines and new rates in your inbox, sign up for the Ratesopedia newsletter.
Frequently asked questions about the Canada child benefit
How much is the Canada child benefit per month in 2026-27?
At the maximum, the CCB pays $679.75 a month for each child under 6 and $573.58 a month for each child aged 6 to 17. Those amounts apply from July 2026 to June 2027 when your adjusted family net income is under $38,237. Above that, the CRA reduces the total gradually. For other monthly federal payments, see our taxes hub.
When is the next CCB payment?
After the October 20, 2026 payment, the next CCB payments arrive on November 20 and December 11, 2026. As of October 20, 2026, the CRA had not yet published its 2027 dates. You can sign up in your CRA account for an email reminder about one week before each payment. The CRA asks you to wait 5 business days before calling about a missing payment.
What income is too high for the CCB?
There is no single cut-off. The benefit starts to decrease once your adjusted family net income passes $38,237, and the reduction speeds up past $82,847. A family with several young children can still receive a partial benefit at fairly high incomes. The CRA's child and family benefits calculator gives an estimate, and our income tax calculator helps you estimate your net income.
Is the Canada child benefit taxable?
No. CCB payments are not taxable, and you don't report them on your tax return. The same applies to the child disability benefit that the CRA adds to the CCB. However, you still need to file a return every year to keep receiving payments. Our guide on how to file taxes in Canada covers the filing options.
Do I have to apply for the CCB for a newborn?
Usually, you apply when you register the birth with your province or territory and consent to share the information with the CRA. If you didn't consent, you can apply online through My Account or by mail with Form RC66. Apply as soon as your child is born so payments start without delay. Newcomers also need Schedule RC66SCH.
Can Quebec families get both the CCB and the Allocation famille?
Yes. The CRA pays the CCB to eligible families across Canada, including Quebec. Retraite Québec separately pays the Allocation famille to Quebec families, with a 2026 maximum of $3,068 per child. Each program uses its own tax return: your federal return for the CCB and your Quebec return for the Allocation famille. See our Quebec tax calculator for the provincial side.
What happens to the CCB with shared custody?
When a child lives with you at least 40% of the time, or on a roughly equal basis with another person at a different address, the CRA considers custody shared. Each parent then receives half of the full-custody amount, based on that parent's own adjusted family net income. Tell the CRA as soon as a custody arrangement begins, ends, or changes.
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