The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment from the federal government to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18. Unlike some benefits, it’s automatically recalculated every year based on your income, so you don’t need to reapply annually — you just need to keep filing your taxes.
How Much You Could Get (July 2026 – June 2027)
These are the current maximum amounts, confirmed on the CRA’s official site:
- Under 6 years old: up to $8,157 per year ($679.75 per month) per child
- 6 to 17 years old: up to $6,883 per year ($573.58 per month) per child
You receive the maximum amount if your adjusted family net income (AFNI) for 2025 was $38,237 or less. Above that threshold, payments gradually decrease as income rises.
What Counts as “Adjusted Family Net Income” (AFNI)
AFNI is your family’s net income (or combined net income, if you have a spouse or common-law partner) from your previous year’s tax return, with a few specific adjustments. This is why filing your taxes every year matters — even with zero income, both partners need to file to keep receiving CCB.
Child Disability Benefit (CDB) — An Extra Amount If Applicable
If your child is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), you may also qualify for the Child Disability Benefit on top of the regular CCB — up to an additional $3,480 per year ($290 per month) per eligible child.
How to Apply
There are three official ways to apply:
- At birth registration: When you register your newborn’s birth with your province or territory, you can apply for the CCB at the same time through the Automated Benefits Application — this is the fastest method for new parents.
- Online through My Account: If you already have a CRA My Account, you can apply directly online.
- By mail: Complete Form RC66, Canada Child Benefit Application, and mail it along with any required supporting documents.
Apply directly through the official government page: Canada Child Benefit – Canada.ca
Check exactly how much you could receive: How much you can get – Canada.ca
When Payments Start
Once approved, payments typically start within 8 weeks of an online application, or 11 weeks for a mailed paper application. Payments arrive monthly, usually around the 20th of each month (or the prior business day if the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday).
Shared Custody Situations
If a child lives with you between 40% and 60% of the time, this is considered shared custody, and both parents should apply. Each parent receives 50% of what they would have received with full custody, calculated based on their own individual AFNI — not combined.
Keeping Your Payments Going
To continue receiving CCB without interruption:
- File your tax return every year, even if you had no income
- If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they must file too
- Update the CRA promptly if your marital status, custody arrangement, or address changes
Provincial and Territorial Add-Ons
Many provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, offer their own additional child benefits. In some cases these are combined into a single monthly payment with the federal CCB; in others, they’re paid separately. Check your specific province’s program for details, since eligibility and amounts vary.
FAQ Section
Is the Canada Child Benefit taxable? No. The CCB is completely tax-free, and you don’t need to report it as income on your tax return.
What if I didn’t apply for CCB when my child was born — can I still get it? Yes, in many cases you can apply retroactively. Contact the CRA or apply through My Account, as you may still be entitled to payments for previous months.
How often does the CCB amount change? It’s recalculated every July based on your adjusted family net income from the previous tax year, and the maximum amounts themselves are indexed to inflation and typically adjusted upward slightly each July.
Do I need to reapply every year? No — as long as you (and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable) file your tax return every year, the CRA automatically recalculates and continues your payments for the new benefit year.
This article summarizes general Canada Child Benefit rules and figures published by the CRA for the July 2026–June 2027 benefit year. Individual eligibility and amounts depend on your specific situation — use the CRA’s official calculator or contact the CRA directly to confirm your exact entitlement.