A little help to keep your focus where it matters

They don’t give you a rule book when you take them home from the hospital, do they?

One minute you’re just you, and the next, you’re a parent, trying to figure it all out on the fly. The days feel long and the years are short and, at times, the responsibilities can feel as big as the love itself.

I’m gonna mess up, you’ll think. I’m not ready for this, you’ll worry.

Every parent has been there. And while no one can give you all the answers, there is help for the practical stuff. The Canada Child Benefit is the government’s way of saying “Hey, it’s okay, you’re not alone in this.”

It’s a little extra money, every month, to make the day-to-day a little less stressful while you focus on the big job: just being there.

What is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), in plain English?

The CCB is an automatically delivered, tax-free monthly payment from the government designed to help families cover the costs of raising their children.

The amount you receive is calculated once a year based on your family’s income from the previous year’s tax return, ensuring the benefit goes to those who need it most.

Plus, because it's tax-free, you don’t need to report the payments as income on your tax return. It’s just extra money you can use to support your child the way they need it, whether that’s paying for hockey camp or putting money away for education (more on that later).

Who is eligible for the Canada Child Benefit?

To receive the CCB, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You live with a child who is under 18 years of age.
• You are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child.
• You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
• You or your spouse or common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses your income tax and benefit return to confirm your eligibility each year. It’s critical that you and your partner file your taxes on time every year, even if you have no income to report, to continue receiving the benefit without interruption.

How much can you get from the CCB in 2025?

The amount of your CCB payment depends on two main things: the number of children you have and your adjusted family net income (AFNI). The lower your income, the higher your benefit.

For the payment period from July 2025 to June 2026, the maximum benefits are:

• $7,787 per year ($648.91 per month) for each child under age 6.
• $6,570 per year ($547.50 per month) for each child aged 6 to 17.

These payments start to decrease gradually once your AFNI is over $36,502. You can use the government's official calculator on the CRA website to get a specific estimate for your family.

When are the CCB payment dates for 2025-2026?

The CRA sends out CCB payments on or around the 20th of each month. If the 20th falls on a weekend or a holiday, you can expect the payment on the last business day before.

• July 18, 2025
• August 20, 2025
• September 19, 2025
• October 20, 2025
• November 20, 2025
• December 12, 2025
• January 20, 2026
• February 20, 2026
• March 20, 2026
• April 20, 2026
• May 20, 2026
• June 19, 2026

How to apply for the Canada Child Benefit

The easiest way is to apply right after your child is born, using the Automated Benefits Application service that is part of the birth registration process in your province or territory. When you’re filling out the paperwork for your baby’s birth certificate, just give your consent to have your information shared with the CRA.

If you don't apply at birth, you can also apply online through your CRA "My Account" or by mailing a completed Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application.

Putting your CCB to work: A head start for the future that's coming fast

Your CCB payments can be used for whatever you need—groceries, new shoes, summer camps. That same flexibility also means you can use it for what’s coming next.

Because soon enough, that memory of bringing them home from the hospital will be joined by the sight of dropping them off at university. It always arrives sooner than it feels possible.

One of the most transformative ways to use your CCB: Combining it with a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).

The RESP is a dedicated account for your kid’s education where the government adds money on top of your own, giving them the best head start possible for the life that’s waiting for them.

What makes the RESP so impactful

• Free money from the government. Through the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), the government automatically matches 20% of your contributions, giving you up to $500 in extra money every single year. Over the life of the plan, that can add up to $7,200 in grants.
• Your investments grow tax-sheltered. All the contributions and grant money inside your RESP can be invested, and any earnings grow tax-free. When your child uses the funds for school, the withdrawals are taxed in their hands, meaning they will likely pay little to no tax on years of investment growth.
• Turn today’s support into tomorrow’s success. You can set up automatic contributions from your bank account to align with your monthly CCB deposit. By directing even a small portion of that benefit—say $50 or $100 a month—you are consistently building a significant nest egg for their future without feeling the pinch today.