It can feel expensive to raise kids in Canada, especially when each dollar matters. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a monthly payment from the federal government that is not taxed. It helps families pay for things like food and school materials. The CCB helps millions of families with their money and is meant to help kids under 18 years old.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) just said that the CCB will go up for the benefit year 2025–2026. This means bigger payments for many families. If you depend on these payments, these updates matter for your household budget. This article breaks down the new rates, key dates and eligibility rules, so you know exactly what to expect next year.
What’s Changing with the CRA Boosts Canada Child Benefit for 2025–26?
The CRA boosted the CCB rates, kicking in for the July 2025 payment cycle. This increase covers both the base amount and the boost for younger children. Families will get more each month, especially if they don’t make too much money. These changes are in line with the government’s yearly plan to adjust for inflation and are due to rising costs of living.
Changes were also made to how some benefits are taken away as your income grows. Parents who have more than one child or who just moved to Canada may notice that they get less money than they did last year. All of the changes are made to keep up with what families need as they buy everyday things or save for bigger purchases in the future.
CRA Boosts Canada Child Benefit Overview
| Topic | Details (2025–2026) |
| Maximum payment per year | $7,962 (for kids under 6), $6,729 (6–17 years old). |
| How Often You Pay | 12 times a year or once a month |
| The first payment was raised. | August 20, 2025 |
| Who Can Apply? | Residents of Canada with children under 18 years old |
| Application/process | Automatic for most, CRA online portal |
| Reason for Increase | Inflation adjustment, cost-of-living support |
New rates for CCB payments in 2025-2026
Here’s how the numbers break down for the coming benefit year:
| Child’s Age | Maximum Annual (2025–2026) | Monthly Max (2025–2026) |
| Not yet 6 years old | $7,962 | $663.50 |
| 6 to 17 years | $6,729 | $560.75 |
You will notice each category gets a noticeable boost. This means if you have two kids under 6, your total support for the year could add up to $15924.
Reasons Behind the CCB Boost
Several important things caused this rise:
- Inflation: Over the past year, the cost of everything from food to rent has gone up. To make up for this, the government raised payments to people.
- Cost-of-Living Support: The new rates help families pay their bills, buy groceries, and meet their child’s school needs.
- Policy commitment: Federal policy links CCB increases to the Consumer Price Index to provide ongoing support without big gaps.
This boost keeps CCB in step with today’s economy, helping parents cover what matters most.
CCB Payment Dates and Eligibility for 2025–2026
You can count on your CCB hitting your bank account on regular dates. The first payment will be made on July 19, 2025, and it will happen every month after that.
As important as knowing when to pay is knowing if you qualified. The main changes for 2025–2026 are new income limits and making sure you file your taxes on time.
How to Make Sure You Get the Whole Amount
To get the most out of CCB:
- Every year, even if you don’t make any money, you should still file your taxes on time.
- If your address or marital situation changes, quickly change your information.
- Check your CRA My Account often to see what’s new. Newcomers should send in all the papers asked for so that their eligibility and payment amount can be figured out.
There may be delays or mistakes that cause your refund or first deposit to be held up. You will get paid faster if you update early.
Canada’s Child Benefit Payment Plan
For the benefit year of 2025–2026, these are the times when you can expect to get paid:
| Month | Payment Date |
| July 2025 | 18 |
| August 2025 | 20 |
| September 2025 | 19 |
| October 2025 | 20 |
| November 2025 | 20 |
| December 2025 | 12 |
| January 2026 | 19 |
| February 2026 | 18 |
| March 2026 | 19 |
| April 2026 | 17 |
| May 2026 | 20 |
| June 2026 | 18 |
Every payment arrives monthly now you can plan bills and expenses with more confidence.
Why this rise is important
More support means you have more room to breathe. The higher CCB rate lets you buy things you need and save for things like gifts or school costs. When someone is living with one parent or changing jobs, even a small boost once a month can help them feel less stressed and more established.
Updated Eligibility Criteria
You qualify for the CCB if:
- You live with a child under 18, and you’re their primary caregiver.
- You area Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- You or your spouse, partner can filed taxes for the previous year.
CRA Child Benefit 2025–2026 updates
- New income thresholds may change the cutoff for maximum and reduced payments.
- Newcomers must show proof of their residency and immigration status.
- If your relationship or child custody situation has changed, you need to let the CRA know right away so that your payments don’t stop.
If you are new to Canada, make an account on CRA My Account right away and upload your papers. You should tell someone right away about any changes in your family, like an adoption or split custody. You might not get as much out of these changes if you ignore them.
Final Thoughts
The CCB increase for 2025–2026 is a big help for most of the families who are facing a difficult time with rising prices. It only takes a minute to go over your information with the CRA, make sure you are still eligible for it and change anything that needs to be changed. You can get the most out of your perks if you plan ahead. Watch for CRA announcements and you can use the government’s tools to find out about changes to your payments and qualifications. You can also help your family to get all the money which you deserve this year by staying on top of the new rates, due dates and rules.
FAQs
1. What do I need to do to get into the CCB in 2025–2006?
Most parents are signed up immediately when they file their taxes or register the birth of a child. If you are new to Canada or have recently changed your name, you can apply online through the CRA’s site or send in Form RC66.
2. What changes the amount of CCB I get?
How much money your family makes after taxes, how many kids you have and how old they are, whether you are married, and whether you have kept your information up to date.
3. I just moved to Canada. When will I get my first payment from CCB?
As soon as you send in all the necessary paperwork (like proof of immigration and tax information) and the CRA finishes their review, you will get your first payment.
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