Canada Child Benefits Guide (CCB, CDB)

the child benefits in Canada. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is the primary federal child benefit — a tax-free monthly payment for the families with the children under 18. For the 2025-26 benefit year (July 2025 to June 2026), the maximum annual CCB is $7,787 per child under 6 and $6,570 per child aged 6 to 17. The CCB is income-tested based on the adjusted family net income (AFNI) — the CCB is reduced by 7% of the AFNI above $37,487 for the families with 1 child and by 13.5% for the families with 3+ children. The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) provides up to $3,322 per child (for the children with the DTC certification). The provincial child benefits include the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) — up to $1,723 per year — and the BC Family Benefit (BCFB) — up to $2,188 per year. The CCB is paid monthly on the 20th (or the 19th/18th when the 20th falls on the weekend). The CCB application is made through the Canada Child Benefits Application (the RC66 form) or through the automated birth registration in the participating provinces and the territories. The CCB is tax-free and does not need to be reported as the income. The shared custody (the 50/50 parenting time) splits the CCB payment at the 50% rate for each parent. The CCB repayment (the "overpayment") is calculated when the family income changes and the CRA adjusts the monthly payment amount.

CCB Amounts (2025-26 Benefit Year)

Children under 6: The maximum annual CCB is $7,787 per child ($649 per month). The CCB is fully available to the families with the adjusted family net income (AFNI) below $37,487.
Children aged 6-17: The maximum annual CCB is $6,570 per child ($548 per month). The CCB is reduced at the same phase-out rate as the under-6 children.
Phase-out rate (1 child): The CCB is reduced by 7% of the AFNI above $37,487. For the 2-child family, the reduction rate is 13.5% (7% for the first child + 6.5% for the second child). For the 3+ children, the reduction rate increases by 3.2% for each additional child after the second.
National Child Benefit (NCB) supplement: The NCB supplement (the federal component) is integrated into the CCB and is not separately reported. The supplement targets the families with the children under 18 and the low-income.

Child Disability Benefit (CDB)

Maximum amount: Up to $3,322 per child per year ($277 per month) for the 2025-26 benefit year. The CDB is paid together with the CCB (a single monthly payment).
Eligibility: The child must be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The CDB application requires the T2201 form (the DTC certification by the medical practitioner). The CDB is income-tested at the same rate as the CCB (the family income above $37,487 reduces the CDB at the CCB phase-out rate).
Application: The CDB is applied for through the same CCB application (the RC66 form). The CRA reviews the DTC certification and determines the CDB eligibility automatically.

Provincial Child Benefits

Ontario Child Benefit (OCB): Up to $1,723 per eligible child per year (paid monthly as part of the CCB payment). The OCB is income-tested (the reduction at 3.2% of the AFNI above $25,000). The OCB is paid to the families with the children under 18.
BC Family Benefit (BCFB): Up to $2,188 per family per year (paid monthly as part of the CCB payment). The BCFB is income-tested and is paid to the families with the children under 18. The BC also provides the BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit (a one-time payment for the newborns).
Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit (AFETC): Up to $1,183 per family (the 2025-26 year). The AFETC is paid as a lump-sum in the July of the benefit year. The AFETC is income-tested based on the AFNI.
Quebec Family Allowance: A separate child benefit administered by Revenu Québec (not integrated with the CCB). The Quebec Family Allowance provides up to $3,555 per child under 18 (income-tested). The Quebec also provides the "Support Payment for the Children" (the "Allocation pour la garde des enfants" — the childcare subsidy).

CCB Application & Payment

Application: The Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) must be completed and mailed to the CRA. The automated birth registration (the "Baby's Welcome" program) registers the newborn for the CCB automatically in the participating provinces (ON, BC, AB, SK, MB, NS, NB, PEI, NL, YT, NT, NU). The application should be made as soon as the child is born (the CCB payments start from the month of the birth if the application is made within 11 months).
Payment date: The CCB is paid on the 20th of each month (or the previous business day if the 20th falls on the weekend or the holiday). The payments are made from July to June of the following year. The direct deposit to the bank account is required (the CRA recommends the enrollment in the CRA My Account).
Shared custody: The parents with the shared custody (50/50) each receive 50% of the CCB that would be payable if the child lived with them full-time. The CRA uses the "principal residence" test — the child must spend at least 40% of the time with each parent.
Marital status change: The CCB recalculates based on the new family income when the relationship status changes (the marriage, the separation, the divorce, or the common-law union). The change must be reported to the CRA promptly (the CRA can adjust the CCB payments and the GST/HST credit).

For the GST/HST credit and the quarterly payments, see our GST/HST Credit Guide →. For the DTC certification and the disability benefits, see our Disability Tax Credit Guide →.