New Canada Child Benefit Payment Set for This Week
Millions of Canadian families are set to receive their next Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment this week, with the Canada Revenue Agency scheduled to issue the August deposit on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The payment arrives shortly before the peak back-to-school spending period and will be the second monthly CCB deposit issued under the increased 2026-27 benefit rates, which took effect on July 1.
Eligible families can receive up to $679.75 per month for each child under six, while the maximum payment for children aged six to 17 is $573.58 per month.
These amounts reflect an approximately 2% inflation adjustment applied to CCB rates for the 2026-27 benefit year.
August 20 is also scheduled as a Canada Disability Benefit payment date, meaning some qualifying households could receive payments from both programs on the same day.
How Much Canada Child Benefit Can You Receive?
For the 2026-27 benefit year, the maximum annual CCB amounts increased following inflation indexation.
Families may receive up to:
- $8,157 annually for each child under six, equal to $679.75 per month.
- $6,883 annually for each child aged six to 17, equal to $573.58 per month.
Compared with the previous benefit year, this represents an increase of as much as $160 annually for a child under six and approximately $135 for a child aged six to 17.
A household with two children younger than six and an adjusted family net income below $38,237 could qualify for as much as $1,359.50 per month.
A family with one child under six and another between six and 17 could receive a maximum of $1,253.33 monthly, or $15,040 during the entire benefit year.
The Government of Canada has also provided an example in which a household earning $65,000 with one five-year-old and one nine-year-old could receive approximately $11,430 during 2026-27, nearly $400 more than during the previous benefit year.
The CCB is tax-free and does not need to be declared as taxable income.
Across Canada, the program supports roughly 3.6 million families and six million children, distributing around $30 billion annually.
Who Is Eligible for the August CCB Payment?
The Canada Child Benefit is generally available to individuals who live with a child under 18 and are primarily responsible for that child’s care and upbringing.
The applicant or their spouse or common-law partner must generally be a:
- Canadian citizen
- Permanent resident
- Protected person
- Temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 consecutive months
Individuals registered or entitled to registration under the Indian Act may also qualify without being subject to the same residency-duration requirement.
Both partners must file an annual income tax return, even when one spouse or partner had no income.
For payments issued between July 2026 and June 2027, the CRA calculates CCB entitlement using the household’s 2025 adjusted family net income.
Late or missing tax returns can result in reduced, delayed or suspended payments. If a spouse or common-law partner has not filed their 2025 return, CCB payments may be affected until the CRA processes both returns.
How the CCB Income Reduction System Works
Families with an adjusted family net income below $38,237 can receive the maximum CCB amount.
Once income exceeds this threshold, benefits gradually decrease.
Income Between $38,237 and $82,847
Within this income range, the reduction depends on the number of eligible children:
- One child: 7%
- Two children: 13.5%
- Three children: 19%
- Four or more children: 23%
These percentages apply to income above $38,237.
Income Above $82,847
A second reduction formula applies when adjusted family net income exceeds $82,847.
For one child, the reduction includes $3,123 plus 3.2% of income above $82,847.
For two children, it becomes $6,022 plus 5.7%.
For three children, the reduction is $8,476 plus 8%, while families with four or more children face a reduction of $10,260 plus 9.5% of income above the second threshold.
The fixed amounts reflect reductions already accumulated through the first income range, allowing benefits to decrease gradually rather than suddenly.
How Shared Custody Affects CCB Payments
When parents share custody equally, each parent generally receives 50% of the amount they would otherwise receive under full custody.
However, each parent’s payment is calculated separately according to their own adjusted family net income and household situation.
As a result, two parents sharing custody of the same child may receive different monthly CCB amounts.
Parents should promptly notify the CRA about changes involving separation, reconciliation, court orders or custody arrangements.
Temporary custody changes can also affect eligibility. If a child temporarily stays with another parent, payment entitlement may change for that period.
Failing to report custody changes can result in overpayments that the CRA may later recover, including through deductions from future benefits.
Child Disability Benefit Supplement
Families caring for children who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) may also receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) alongside their regular CCB.
For the 2026-27 benefit year, the maximum CDB is $3,480 annually per eligible child, equivalent to $290 per month.
The maximum amount applies when adjusted family net income is below $82,847.
Above that level, the CDB is reduced by:
- 3.2% of additional income for one DTC-eligible child
- 5.7% for two or more eligible children
A medical practitioner must complete Form T2201, and the CRA must approve the Disability Tax Credit before the additional benefit can be added.
The federal government has also proposed measures intended to simplify DTC certification for certain long-term medical conditions and expand the range of professionals permitted to certify some impairments once the relevant changes take effect.
The Child Disability Benefit should not be confused with the Canada Disability Benefit, which is administered separately by Service Canada and can provide eligible adults aged 18 to 64 with up to $204.20 per month.
Why Your August CCB Payment May Have Changed
Your August payment may differ from what you expected for several reasons.
One of the most common is the annual recalculation completed in July. The CRA is now using 2025 tax information instead of 2024 income to determine payments.
If household income increased during 2025, your family may have moved into a higher benefit-reduction bracket despite the increase in maximum CCB rates.
Other reasons for a payment change include:
- A reassessment or amendment of your 2025 tax return
- Birth of another child
- A child turning 18
- Separation or reconciliation
- Beginning a new common-law relationship
- Changes in custody arrangements
The CRA normally issues a new CCB notice whenever your entitlement changes.
If your August payment differs from July and you have not received an explanation, check CRA My Account for updated calculation information.
Families whose total annual entitlement works out to less than $20 per month may receive one lump-sum payment instead of 12 separate monthly deposits.
How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit
Families not currently receiving CCB payments can apply in several ways.
The quickest method is generally through CRA My Account using the child benefits application service.
Parents can also complete Form RC66 and mail it to their tax centre with any required supporting documents.
In participating provinces and territories, parents of newborns may use the Automated Benefits Application when registering their child’s birth.
Newcomers to Canada may also need to submit Form RC66SCH to provide residency and income information.
The CRA’s service standard allows up to eight weeks for digital applications and approximately 11 weeks for paper applications, although routine claims may sometimes be completed sooner.
Retroactive payments may be available to families who apply late. Applications covering periods more than 11 months in the past can require additional evidence confirming residency, status, the child’s birth and responsibility for the child’s care.
Remaining CCB Payment Dates for 2026
The remaining confirmed Canada Child Benefit payment dates for 2026 are:
- August 20, 2026
- September 18, 2026
- October 20, 2026
- November 20, 2026
- December 11, 2026
The CRA generally issues CCB payments around the 20th of each month, but dates can move because of weekends, holidays or year-end scheduling.
The December deposit will arrive earlier than usual because of the holiday period.
Payment dates covering January through June 2027 have not yet been published and are expected to be added to the federal benefit payment calendar before the new calendar year begins.
What to Expect on August 20
The August Canada Child Benefit is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2026, so no weekend or holiday adjustment is required.
Families using direct deposit will generally see the money credited to their accounts on the scheduled payment date.
Those receiving CCB payments by cheque should allow five to ten business days before contacting the CRA about a missing payment.
Because August represents the second payment of the new 2026-27 benefit year, families whose income, custody arrangements and household circumstances have remained unchanged should generally receive an amount similar to their July 20 payment.
The next Canada Child Benefit payment is scheduled for August 20, 2026, providing eligible families with up to $679.75 per child under six or $573.58 for children aged six to 17.
Payment amounts depend primarily on 2025 household income, the number and ages of eligible children, custody arrangements and other family circumstances.
Families should review their CRA My Account information to confirm their expected payment and ensure their tax and household details remain current.
