Canada Child Benefit Increase Set To Begin In 2026: New CCB Amounts and Payment Dates

Canadian families can expect the next Canada Child Benefit (CCB) increase to take effect in July 2026, when the new 2026–27 benefit year begins.

Because the CCB is indexed to inflation, both the maximum annual benefit amounts and key income thresholds are adjusted upward over time—helping families keep pace with rising costs. 

This guide focuses only on the updated, forward-looking 2026 details: what is changing, how much you could receive, when payments arrive in 2026, and what families should do now to avoid delays.

What “Increase Set To Begin In 2026” Actually Means

The CCB runs on a benefit-year cycle from July to June, not January to December. The “increase” that people refer to for 2026 is the inflation-indexed update that applies to the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year. 

So, even if you receive payments in early 2026, the higher maximum CCB amounts are expected to start with the July 2026 payment (paid in July 2026, covering that benefit period). 

Updated CCB Maximum Amounts For The 2026–27 Benefit Year

For July 2026 to June 2027, the maximum annual CCB amounts are expected to rise to: 

• $8,157 per year for each eligible child under age 6 (about $679.75 per month) 
• $6,883 per year for each eligible child aged 6 to 17 (about $573.58 per month) 

These are maximum amounts. Your actual payment depends mainly on your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI), the number of eligible children, and the children’s ages. 

Updated Child Disability Benefit For 2026–27

If your child is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), you may also receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) as an added amount included with the CCB payment. 

For the July 2026 to June 2027 period, the annual CDB maximum is expected to be up to $3,480 (about $290 per month) per eligible child. 

Key 2026 CCB Numbers At A Glance

Item	2026 Update That Matters	What It Means For Families
New CCB Amounts Begin	July 2026	Higher amounts apply to the 2026–27 benefit year
Max CCB Under 6	$8,157/year ($679.75/month)	Max support for young children rises
Max CCB Age 6–17	$6,883/year ($573.58/month)	Max support for older children rises
Max CDB (If DTC Approved)	Up to $3,480/year (~$290/month)	Added disability support increases
CCB Payment Dates (2026)	Monthly dates listed by CRA	Helps with budgeting and planning

2026 Canada Child Benefit Payment Dates

The CRA’s published 2026 payment dates for CCB are: 

• January 20, 2026
• February 20, 2026
• March 20, 2026
• April 20, 2026
• May 20, 2026
• June 19, 2026
• July 20, 2026
• August 20, 2026
• September 18, 2026
• October 20, 2026
• November 20, 2026
• December 11, 2026

Important timing note: the July 20, 2026 payment is the first one that aligns with the 2026–27 benefit year—the point when the new, higher 2026 amounts are expected to begin for eligible families. 

Who Will Be Eligible For CCB In 2026

The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment for families caring for children under 18. While individual situations vary, the 2026 eligibility framework continues to center on these practical requirements: 

• You live with a child who is under 18 and you are primarily responsible for their care and upbringing. 
• You (and your spouse/common-law partner, if applicable) generally need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to apply and keep benefits flowing smoothly. 
• You keep CRA records current (address, marital status, custody arrangements), because CCB is recalculated when family circumstances change. 

How CCB Is Calculated In 2026: What Changes And What Doesn’t

What Changes In 2026

Two major items move upward for the new benefit year:

1. Maximum benefit amounts (the cap before income reductions) rise for 2026–27. 
2. Income thresholds used in the CCB reduction formula are also expected to rise (indexation). 

What Typically Stays The Same

The CCB remains income-tested, meaning your family’s AFNI is the core driver of how much of the maximum you receive. 

In practice:

• Lower AFNI → closer to the maximum.
• Higher AFNI → larger reductions until the benefit becomes small or phases out for very high incomes.

What Families Should Do Now To Receive The 2026 Increase Without Delays

Even if you’re already receiving the CCB, families most often lose money (or face delays) due to avoidable admin issues. Here’s what matters most going into the 2026 increase window:

File Taxes On Time

CCB calculations depend on tax information. If you delay filing, your payments can be interrupted or recalculated later.

Use Direct Deposit

Direct deposit helps avoid postal delays and reduces the risk of missed cheques.

Update Life Changes Immediately

Tell the CRA quickly if any of these change:

• Marital status
• Address
• Custody arrangement
• Number of children in care
  These changes can affect your CCB amount and prevent overpayments that might need repayment later. 

Apply Correctly If You’re New

If you’re applying for the first time, common routes include:

• Applying through the newborn registration process where available (Automated Benefits Application), or
• Applying through CRA online services, or
• Submitting Form RC66 by mail (and related schedules if required). 

Budgeting Tip: Why The July 2026 Payment Matters Most

Many families focus on “January benefit changes,” but for CCB the most meaningful shift is usually July, when the new indexed benefit year begins.

If your household budget is tight, plan for:

• A potentially higher CCB starting July 2026
• The same monthly payment rhythm (generally around the 20th, with occasional earlier dates like June 19, 2026 and December 11, 2026) 

Conclusion

The Canada Child Benefit increase set to begin in 2026 is tied to the start of the 2026–27 benefit year, meaning the higher maximum CCB amounts are expected to begin with the July 2026 payment. Families with children under 18 should watch for the updated benefit-year amounts, ensure taxes are filed on time, keep CRA details current, and use direct deposit to avoid delays.

With the maximum annual benefit expected to rise to $8,157 for children under 6 and $6,883 for children aged 6 to 17, the 2026 increase can provide meaningful extra monthly support—especially for households closer to the maximum benefit range. 

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