Looking for the CCB payment dates for 2026? The Canada Child Benefit is paid monthly, usually on or around the 20th, and the next payment lands on June 19, 2026. Below is the full 2026 schedule, how much you can receive this year, who qualifies, and what to do if a payment is late — all in one place.
Quick answer: The CCB is paid once a month. In 2026 the CCB payment dates are mostly the 20th, except June 19, September 18, and December 11, which shift earlier because the 20th falls on a weekend or near a holiday. Payments arrive by direct deposit, usually the same day.
CCB Payment Dates 2026
Here are all 12 CCB payment dates for 2026. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issues the Canada Child Benefit on the 20th of each month, and moves the deposit to the previous business day when the 20th lands on a weekend or statutory holiday.
| Month | 2026 CCB Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January | January 20, 2026 |
| February | February 20, 2026 |
| March | March 20, 2026 |
| April | April 20, 2026 |
| May | May 20, 2026 |
| June | June 19, 2026 |
| July | July 20, 2026 |
| August | August 20, 2026 |
| September | September 18, 2026 |
| October | October 20, 2026 |
| November | November 20, 2026 |
| December | December 11, 2026 |
If you have set up direct deposit with the CRA, the money typically appears in your account on the payment date itself. A mailed cheque can take five to ten business days longer, which is one reason direct deposit is worth setting up.
What’s New for the CCB in 2026
The headline change arrives with the July 20, 2026 payment, when the CRA applies a 2% inflation increase and begins the 2026–27 benefit year. From that point your Canada Child Benefit is recalculated using your 2025 tax return instead of your 2024 return, and the income thresholds are nudged up for inflation. Payments on the January-to-June 2026 CCB payment dates still follow the 2025–26 amounts. The practical takeaway: file your 2025 return on time and your July recalculation will be accurate and your CCB payment dates uninterrupted.
When Is the Next CCB Payment?
As of mid-June 2026, the next CCB payment is June 19, 2026. After that, the CCB payment dates continue on the schedule above — July 20, August 20, September 18, and so on. Because the Canada Child Benefit is monthly, you can count on roughly one deposit every four to five weeks.
A quick tip: bookmark this page or add the CCB payment dates to your phone calendar. Lining up the deposit with your rent, daycare, or grocery cycle makes the monthly budget far easier to plan.
How Much Is the Canada Child Benefit in 2026?
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment, and the amount depends on your number of children, their ages, and your adjusted family net income. For the 2026–27 benefit year (payments from July 2026), the CRA maximums are:
| Child’s age | Maximum per year | Maximum per month |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | $8,157 | $679.75 |
| 6 to 17 | $6,883 | $573.58 |
These maximums apply to families with a lower adjusted net income; the benefit is gradually reduced as income rises. Each July the CRA recalculates your amount based on your previous year’s tax return and applies an inflation adjustment — the 2026–27 year includes a 2% increase. Payments from January to June 2026 fall under the slightly lower 2025–26 maximums. For your exact figure, use the CRA’s child and family benefits calculator.
How the CCB Is Calculated
The CRA works out your Canada Child Benefit from your adjusted family net income (AFNI) on last year’s tax return. Below an income threshold of roughly $37,500, families receive the maximum shown above. Above that, the benefit is reduced on a sliding scale — the reduction rate rises with the number of children — so higher-income families receive less, and the benefit phases out entirely at higher incomes.
Two situations change the math. In shared custody, each parent generally receives 50% of the amount they would get if the child lived with them full time. And if your total annual entitlement is small, the CRA may pay it as one lump sum in July rather than spreading it across the CCB payment dates. For your exact number, the CRA’s child and family benefits calculator is the most reliable tool.
The Child Disability Benefit Add-On
Families caring for a child who qualifies for the disability tax credit can receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) on top of the regular CCB. It is paid in the same deposit, on the same CCB payment dates, so there is nothing extra to track — for the 2026–27 year it adds up to roughly $3,400 to $3,500 per year per eligible child, reduced at higher incomes. To get it, the child must first be approved for the disability tax credit by filing Form T2201 with the CRA; once approved, the CDB is added automatically.
Who Is Eligible for the CCB?
To receive the Canada Child Benefit, you generally must meet all of the following:
- You live with a child who is under 18 years of age.
- You are primarily responsible for the child’s care and upbringing.
- You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
- You or your spouse/common-law partner is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or an eligible temporary resident who meets the residency rules.
Both you and your partner must file a tax return every year — even with no income — because the CRA uses those returns to calculate your CCB. Miss a return and your payments can pause until you catch up.
How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit
You usually only apply once per child. There are three common ways:
- At birth — use the Automated Benefits Application when you register your newborn with your province or territory; the CRA is notified automatically.
- Online — through your CRA My Account, which is the fastest route if your child is already born or arriving in your care.
- By mail — complete Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, and send it to your tax centre.
After you apply, the CRA confirms eligibility and your first payment usually follows within about eight weeks. Setting up direct deposit in CRA My Account means every future CCB payment arrives on the dates above without a mailed cheque.
Why Your CCB Payment Date or Amount Can Change
A few normal things can shift your CCB payment dates or the amount you see:
- Weekends and holidays. When the 20th is a weekend or statutory holiday, the CRA pays on the previous business day — that is why June, September, and December differ in 2026.
- The July recalculation. Every July the CRA re-assesses your benefit using your latest tax return, so your monthly amount can rise or fall.
- Income or family changes. A change in marital status, custody, or income can adjust your payment.
- A small monthly amount. If your total annual CCB is under $240, the CRA may pay it as a single lump sum in July instead of monthly.
If you also receive provincial benefits, some are combined with the CCB into one deposit. Our guides to Canada FED deposit dates and the GST/HST credit payment dates explain the other CRA deposits you may see during the year.
CCB and Provincial or Territorial Child Benefits
Many provinces and territories run their own child benefits, and the CRA usually folds them into the same monthly deposit as the CCB — so the amount you see on a CCB payment date may be larger than the federal figure alone. Examples include the Ontario Child Benefit, the BC Family Benefit, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit, and similar programs in other regions.
You do not apply separately for most of these — filing your tax return and qualifying for the CCB enrols you automatically. The combined payment is one reason your deposit can differ from a neighbour’s even with the same number of children: your province, income, and any provincial top-ups all feed into the total.
Tips to Get the Most From Your CCB
A few habits keep your Canada Child Benefit accurate and on time:
- File taxes every year, on time — both partners. The CRA recalculates each July from your returns; a missing return pauses payments.
- Contribute to an RRSP if you can. RRSP contributions lower your adjusted family net income, which can increase next year’s CCB — a rare win-win.
- Report life changes promptly — a new child, a move, or a change in marital status or custody all affect your benefit.
- Use direct deposit and keep your details current so every payment lands on the scheduled CCB payment date.
For the other CRA deposits that share your calendar, see our guide to ODSP payment dates.
Retired Canadians can also check the OAS payment dates for Old Age Security.
What to Do If Your CCB Payment Is Late
Payments are reliable, but if a deposit does not arrive on the scheduled CCB payment date, the CRA asks that you wait five business days before contacting them — bank processing can add a short delay. If it has been longer:
- Check CRA My Account to confirm the payment was issued and your direct deposit details are current.
- Make sure your tax returns are filed and your address and banking information are up to date.
- Call the CRA benefits line if the payment was issued but never reached your account.
Most “missing” payments come down to an unfiled return or outdated banking details, both of which are quick to fix in My Account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the CCB payment dates for 2026?
The 2026 CCB payment dates are January 20, February 20, March 20, April 20, May 20, June 19, July 20, August 20, September 18, October 20, November 20, and December 11. Most fall on the 20th; June, September, and December shift earlier because of weekends and the holiday season.
What day does the Canada Child Benefit come out?
The CCB is paid monthly on or around the 20th. When the 20th is a weekend or statutory holiday, the CRA issues the payment on the previous business day.
Is the CCB taxable?
No. The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free payment, so you do not report it as income and it does not reduce other benefits based on taxable income.
Why was my CCB payment lower this month?
The most common reason is the July recalculation, when the CRA updates your benefit using your latest tax return. A change in income, custody, or marital status can also adjust the amount.
Do I have to apply for the CCB every year?
No. You apply once per child, but you and your partner must file a tax return every year so the CRA can recalculate and keep your payments flowing.
How do I get my CCB payments faster?
Set up direct deposit in CRA My Account. Direct deposit lands on the scheduled CCB payment date, while a mailed cheque can take several extra business days.
What is the maximum CCB for 2026?
For the 2026–27 benefit year, the maximum is $8,157 per year ($679.75 per month) for each child under 6, and $6,883 per year ($573.58 per month) for each child aged 6 to 17. The amount is reduced as your adjusted family net income rises.
Does the CCB count as income?
No. The Canada Child Benefit is tax-free and is not counted as taxable income. Because it is income-tested, lowering your adjusted family net income — for example through RRSP contributions — can actually increase your benefit.
Can both parents get the CCB in shared custody?
Yes. In a roughly 50/50 shared-custody arrangement, each parent generally receives 50% of the CCB they would otherwise get, paid to each on the same CCB payment dates.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 CCB payment dates are easy to plan around: the 20th of each month, with June 19, September 18, and December 11 as the three exceptions. Keep your tax returns filed and your CRA direct-deposit details current, and your Canada Child Benefit will arrive on schedule all year. Bookmark this page so the next CCB payment date is always one click away.
About the Author
For information only; not financial or tax advice. CCB payment dates, amounts, and eligibility rules are set by the Canada Revenue Agency and can change — always confirm with the official Canada Child Benefit and CRA benefit payment dates pages.
