If you have children under the age of 18, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) could be putting hundreds or even thousands of dollars into your bank account every month — completely tax-free. It is one of the most generous family benefit programmes in the world, and yet many parents either do not know about it, do not know how much they are entitled to, or have not applied at all.
Let us walk through everything you need to know: how much you could receive, how the benefit is calculated, and exactly what you need to do to start getting payments.
What Is the Canada Child Benefit?
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment made by the Government of Canada to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18. It replaced the old Canada Child Tax Benefit and Universal Child Care Benefit in 2016, and it is income-tested, meaning families with lower incomes receive more.
The CCB is paid monthly, usually around the 20th of each month. It goes directly into your bank account (if you have signed up for direct deposit) or by cheque. The benefit year runs from July to June, and payments are based on your family's adjusted net income from the previous tax year.
How Much Can You Receive?
For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, the maximum annual CCB amounts are:
- Children under 6: up to $7,787 per child per year ($648.92 per month)
- Children aged 6 to 17: up to $6,570 per child per year ($547.50 per month)
These are the maximum amounts, and you receive them if your adjusted family net income (AFNI) is $36,502 or less. Above that income level, the benefit starts to be reduced (clawed back) based on a percentage of your income above the threshold.
The clawback rate depends on how many children you have:
- One child: 7% of income above $36,502 (up to $79,087), then 3.2% above $79,087
- Two children: 13.5% of income above $36,502, then 5.7% above $79,087
- Three children: 19% of income above $36,502, then 8% above $79,087
- Four or more children: 23% of income above $36,502, then 9.5% above $79,087
This means that families with very high incomes may receive a reduced CCB or none at all. But the thresholds are quite generous — a family with two children and a household income of $100,000 would still receive a meaningful benefit.
Our child benefit calculator works out exactly how much you would receive based on your income, number of children, and their ages. It takes about a minute and gives you a precise monthly amount.
How Is It Calculated?
The CCB is based on your adjusted family net income (AFNI) from your tax return. "Family" means you and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one. The CRA uses the AFNI from the previous tax year to calculate your benefit for the current benefit year.
For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, the CRA uses your 2024 tax return. For July 2026 to June 2027, they use your 2025 return. This is why filing your tax return on time is so important — even if you have no income. If you do not file, the CRA cannot calculate your benefit and your payments will stop.
AFNI includes most types of income: employment income, self-employment income, investment income, rental income, EI benefits, and others. However, it does not include CCB payments themselves, TFSA withdrawals, or most other tax-free income.
Here is a helpful tip: RRSP contributions reduce your AFNI, which can increase your CCB. If you contribute $5,000 to an RRSP, your AFNI drops by $5,000, and your CCB could go up. Depending on your income level, the combined benefit of the RRSP tax deduction plus the increased CCB can be worth significantly more than the deduction alone. Use our RRSP calculator to see the impact.
How to Apply
You can apply for the CCB in several ways:
- At birth: If you register your newborn's birth through your provincial vital statistics office, you can apply for the CCB at the same time. Many provinces offer a combined birth registration and CCB application form.
- Online: Through your CRA My Account, using the "Apply for child benefits" option.
- By mail: Fill out Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) and send it to your tax centre.
You should apply as soon as possible after your child is born or comes into your care. The CRA can back-pay benefits for up to 11 months, but it is best not to wait.
Both parents need to file their tax returns every year for the benefit to continue. If either parent does not file, the CRA will stop payments until the return is filed.
The Child Disability Benefit
If your child is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, you may also receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) on top of the regular CCB. For the 2025-26 benefit year, the maximum CDB is $3,322 per child per year ($276.83 per month).
The CDB is also income-tested and starts to be reduced at the same income thresholds as the CCB. To claim it, your child must first be approved for the Disability Tax Credit by the CRA, which requires a medical practitioner to certify the disability on Form T2201.
Our disability tax credit calculator can help you estimate the total benefit, including both the DTC and CDB.
Other Benefits You Might Be Eligible For
If you are receiving the CCB, you may also qualify for other income-tested benefits:
- GST/HST credit: A quarterly payment to offset the GST/HST you pay. Our GST/HST credit calculator shows you how much you could receive.
- Canada Workers Benefit: A refundable tax credit for low-income individuals and families. Check your eligibility with our Canada Workers Benefit calculator.
- Provincial benefits: Many provinces have their own child benefits that are paid alongside the CCB. For example, Ontario has the Ontario Child Benefit, and British Columbia has the BC Family Benefit. These are usually calculated and paid automatically by the CRA.
Tips to Maximise Your CCB
File your taxes on time, every year. This is the single most important thing. If you or your spouse do not file, your payments will stop. File even if you have no income — a nil return is all the CRA needs to keep your benefits flowing.
Contribute to your RRSP. RRSP contributions lower your AFNI, which can increase your CCB. For families near the clawback thresholds, this can be a very effective strategy.
Update your marital status. If your relationship status changes (marriage, separation, new common-law partner), you need to tell the CRA. Your benefit is based on family income, so a change in your household situation will affect the amount you receive.
Set up direct deposit. It is faster and more reliable than waiting for a cheque. You can set it up through CRA My Account.
The Bottom Line
The Canada Child Benefit is a significant source of tax-free income for families with children. Even middle-income families can receive substantial monthly payments. The key is to make sure you have applied, that both parents file their taxes every year, and that your personal information with the CRA is up to date.
Use our child benefit calculator to see exactly how much your family is entitled to, and our salary calculator to understand your overall financial picture including take-home pay and deductions.