What Is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under the age of 18. Introduced in 2016 to replace the Universal Child Care Benefit and the Canada Child Tax Benefit, the CCB is income-tested — meaning higher-income families receive a reduced amount or no payment, while lower-income families receive the maximum.
The CCB is one of Canada's most significant family support programs, providing billions of dollars annually to millions of households across the country.
Key Facts: CCB Rates for July 2025 – June 2026
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum annual benefit — child under 6 | CA$7,997 (CA$666.42/month) |
| Maximum annual benefit — child aged 6–17 | CA$6,748 (CA$562.33/month) |
| Full benefit income threshold (AFNI) | Below CA$37,487 |
| Payment dates | 20th of each month |
| Is the CCB taxable? | No |
| Who administers it? | Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) |
How Is the CCB Calculated?
The CCB amount your family receives depends on your adjusted family net income (AFNI) — the combined net income of you and your spouse or common-law partner as reported on your most recent tax returns.
If your AFNI is below CA$37,487, you receive the maximum benefit for each child.
If your AFNI is above CA$37,487, the benefit is reduced at the following rates (for the 2025–26 benefit year):
- For 1 child: reduced by 7% of income above the threshold
- For 2 children: reduced by 13.5%
- For 3 children: reduced by 19%
- For 4 or more children: reduced by 23%
Example: A family with two children under 6 and an AFNI of CA$60,000 would have income CA$22,513 above the threshold. Their reduction would be approximately CA$3,039 (13.5% x CA$22,513), leaving an annual CCB of approximately CA$12,955, or about CA$1,080/month.
The CRA recalculates your entitlement each July using your previous year's tax return, so it is essential to file on time — even if you had no income.
Who Qualifies for the Canada Child Benefit?
To receive the CCB, you must:
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- Be primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of a child under 18
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months
- File a tax return each year (both spouses must file)
You do not need to be employed or have earned income to qualify. The CCB is available to stay-at-home parents as long as the family files tax returns and meets the residency criteria.
For shared custody arrangements, each parent may receive 50% of the CCB that would otherwise be paid for those children.
How to Apply
Most families are automatically assessed for the CCB when they register the birth of a child through their province or territory's birth registration process (linked to the CRA in most provinces). If you are not automatically enrolled, you can apply:
- Online through My Account on the CRA website
- By mail using Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application)
- At a Service Canada Centre or through a community volunteer tax clinic
Once approved, payments begin within 8 weeks of the CRA receiving your application and tax return.
Provincial and Territorial Supplements
In addition to the federal CCB, several provinces and territories offer their own child benefit supplements, which are often calculated and delivered by the CRA alongside the CCB payment:
- Ontario: Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)
- Alberta: Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
- British Columbia: BC Child Opportunity Benefit
- Quebec: Quebec Family Allowance (administered separately by Retraite Quebec)
These supplements are income-tested and added automatically to your monthly CCB payment if you qualify.
Related Resources
Source: Canada Revenue Agency (canada.ca), RC66 Guide, CCB benefit year July 2025–June 2026. Rates are indexed to inflation annually. Verify current figures at canada.ca/child-family-benefits.