The short version

• The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for eligible families with children under 18.
• From July 2026 to June 2027, the CRA says it pays up to $679.75 a month for each child under 6 and up to $573.58 a month for each child aged 6 to 17.
• You have to apply. The CRA does not start the payments for you.
• Next payment dates: November 20 and December 11, 2026.

The situation

You have a child, a rent payment and a long list of new costs.

There is a tax-free monthly payment built for exactly that. It is called the Canada Child Benefit. To get it, you have to apply.

Here is what the CRA says it pays, who may be eligible, and the steps to apply.

What the CCB pays

For the July 2026 to June 2027 payment year, the CRA lists these maximums:

• Up to $679.75 a month ($8,157 a year) for each child under 6.
• Up to $573.58 a month ($6,883 a year) for each child aged 6 to 17.

These are maximums. Payments start to shrink when family net income is over $38,237. The CRA's page on how much you can get has the full amounts and the reduction rules, so check it for your own numbers.

Who may be eligible

The CRA's list is short. You may be eligible if:

• You live with a child under 18 and are primarily responsible for their care.
• You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
• You or your spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or temporary resident.

Two rules matter for newcomers:

• Temporary residents: you must have lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, with a valid permit in the 19th month.
• Not eligible: an individual with a Refugee Protection Claimant Document.

Where newcomers commonly go wrong

1. Assuming it is automatic. You have to apply.
2. Skipping the newcomer form. The CRA asks newcomers to mail Schedule RC66SCH with Form RC66.
3. Forgetting proof of birth. It is needed when the CRA has never paid benefits for the child and you apply online or by mail.
4. Not filing taxes. The CRA lists filing your taxes under keeping your payments.

What to do: four steps

1. Check the rules. Read the CRA's eligibility page, including the 18-month rule for temporary residents.
2. Apply. Sign in to your CRA account, choose "Benefits and credits," and use "+ Add" in "Child information." Or mail Form RC66 and Schedule RC66SCH to your tax centre.
3. Attach documents. Add proof of birth if the CRA has never paid benefits for your child. If your application covers a period that started more than 11 months ago, the CRA also asks for immigration or citizenship documents and proof of residence.
4. Keep it going. File your tax return each year. If a payment does not arrive, wait 5 business days after the payment date, then contact the CRA.

Where to check

• Who can apply: Canada Child Benefit: Who can apply (CRA)
• How to apply: Canada Child Benefit: How to apply (CRA)
• How much you can get: Canada Child Benefit: How much you can get (CRA)
• Payment dates: Canada Child Benefit: Payment dates (CRA)

The bottom line

The Canada Child Benefit pays up to $679.75 a month per child under 6, and it does not start on its own. Read the eligibility rules, apply with the right forms, attach proof of birth where the CRA asks for it, and file your taxes each year.

This is general information, not advice. Benefit amounts and rules can change. Check the CRA's pages for your situation before you apply.

Sources: Canada Revenue Agency: Canada Child Benefit overview (page date 2025-12-02); Who can apply (2025-11-20); How to apply (2026-06-25); How much you can get (2026-10-05); Payment dates (2025-12-17). Employment and Social Development Canada news release, July 20, 2026. Checked 2026-10-21.