CCB Payment Dates 2026: Canada Child Benefit Monthly Payout Schedule 

The CCB, or Canada Child Benefit, is a financial assistance program provided by the Canadian Federal government to parents to help with the cost of raising children. The payments are administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and are received monthly. 

If you are one of those who receive the Canada Child Benefit, you should know that the payment dates for 2026 have been officially announced by the CRA. By reading this, you can check the month-wise payment dates, eligibility criteria, payment rates, and other details.

CCB Payment Dates 2026

The Canada Child Benefit payment is released by the Canada Revenue Agency on the 20th of each month. If the payment date falls on a holiday or weekend, the payment is made earlier. You can see the month-wise CCB payment dates for 2025 from the table below.

If you receive the Canada Child Benefit through direct deposit, please note that you will receive the payment on the day it is released. If you receive it via a paper cheque, you may have to wait two to three days or even more.

CCB Eligibility Criteria 2026

To be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit, you must meet all four of the following requirements:

• First, you must be a Canadian citizen and reside in any province of the country; 
• second, you must have a child living with you who is under 18 years of age;
• third, you must be responsible for the child’s upbringing, meaning you provide for all of their financial needs; 
• and fourth, you must have filed your 2024/2025 annual tax return.

Parents cannot receive this benefit for a foster child who is already receiving a children’s special allowance; if you have separated from your partner and your child lives with you and another individual at different addresses for between 40% and 60% of the time, then in this situation, you can receive this benefit partially.

In Canada, the tax year begins in January and ends in December. However, the CCB benefit year begins in July and ends in June. To receive payments for the 2025-26 benefit year, you must file your tax return for the 2024 tax year. Similarly, to receive benefits for the 2026-27 benefit year, you must file your tax return for the 2025 tax year.

CCB Payment Rates 2026

The payment rates for the CCB have been officially announced by the CRA. The payment rates disclosed are for the benefit year 2025-26, meaning the details currently available publicly are applicable to the first half of 2026. Details regarding the payment rates for the second half of 2026 will be made public soon.

The annual payment rates for the benefit year 2025-26 are $6,748 and $7,997, for those aged 6 years and older but under 18 years, and those under 6 years of age, respectively. It means that in the first half of 2026, $666.41 could be received for each child under the age of 6, and $562.33 for each child aged 6 to 17.

The payment rate we mentioned above is the maximum benefit, which is received when your AFNI (adjusted family need income) does not exceed $37,487. If the income is higher, the benefit gradually decreases, whose details can be found from the below.

If you have only one child, the benefit you will receive will be calculated by deducting 7% from your income above $37,487; if you have two children, the deduction will be 13.5%; if you have three children, the deduction will be 19%; and if you have four children, the deduction will be 23%.

How to apply for the Canada Child Benefit in 2026?

The Canada Child Benefit can be obtained for a newborn child through automated registration at the time of birth. If an application is not submitted at birth, you can apply through your CRA My account.  Alternatively, you can mail in Form RC66.

After applying for the CCB, payments usually begin from the following month.  When applying, make sure that all the details and documents you provide are accurate, as any discrepancies can significantly delay the processing.