The Canada Child Benefit is the monthly payment that helps millions of Canadian families with the cost of raising kids — and for the 2026-27 benefit year, the maximums are the highest yet. The Canada Child Benefit 2026 maximum is $8,157 a year for each child under 6 and $6,883 a year for each child aged 6 to 17. The benefit is paid monthly, usually around the 20th, with the next payments landing on 20 November and 11 December 2026. Here is how the amount is worked out, who gets the maximum, and what to check if your payment looks wrong.
How the Canada Child Benefit is calculated
The amount you get depends on your family net income and the number and ages of your children. Families with a net income of $38,237 or less get the full amount — $8,157 a year per child under 6, or $6,883 a year per child aged 6 to 17. Above that income, the benefit is reduced gradually, so families earning more get less, and the highest earners get nothing at all. The Canada Revenue Agency works out your amount from the tax return you filed, which is why filing your taxes every year matters even if you owe nothing: no return, no benefit calculation. Your payment is recalculated each July, when the new benefit year starts, so a change in income can move your amount up or down.
When is the Canada Child Benefit paid?
The benefit is paid once a month, usually around the 20th, by direct deposit or by check in the mail. For the rest of 2026, the payment dates are 20 November and 11 December — the December payment comes early, on the 11th, because of the holidays. If your payment is late, check your CRA My Account first: it shows the payment date and amount, and it will tell you if something changed. And if you are new to Canada or have just had a child, you need to apply — the benefit does not always start on its own. For more on spotting fake payment claims, see our fact check Is There a $2,000 CRA Payment in November 2026?.
Who gets the maximum?
The full amount goes to families with a net income of $38,237 or less. That covers a lot of households — a single parent working part time, or a two-parent family on modest wages. As income rises above that line, the benefit shrinks, but it does not vanish all at once: the reduction is gradual, so a small raise does not wipe out your payment. The number of children matters too: the maximum is per child, so a family with three young children can receive three times the single-child amount. If your income fell this year, make sure your tax return reflects it — next July’s recalculation is based on the return you file.
Frequently asked questions about the Canada Child Benefit 2026
How much is the Canada Child Benefit in 2026-27?
The maximum is $8,157 a year per child under 6 and $6,883 a year per child aged 6 to 17, for the benefit year running July 2026 to June 2027.
When is the Canada Child Benefit paid?
Monthly, usually around the 20th. The next payments are 20 November and 11 December 2026.
Who gets the full Canada Child Benefit?
Families with a family net income of $38,237 or less get the full amount. Above that, the benefit is reduced gradually.
How is my Canada Child Benefit calculated?
The CRA works it out from your tax return: your family net income and the number and ages of your children. It is recalculated each July.
Do I need to apply for the Canada Child Benefit?
Usually you apply once, and it keeps coming as long as you file your taxes each year. If you are new to Canada or have just had a child, apply through the CRA.