Canada Child Benefit payments go out next week. Here’s what you need to know - Toronto Star

Canada Child Benefit payments go out Nov. 20. Find out who qualifies, how much families can receive and when the next payment is scheduled.

The amount a family receives is based on its adjusted net income, along with the number and ages of children in the household.

The next round of Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, with one more payment to follow before the end of the year.

The monthly benefit, administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), provides tax-free financial support to families raising children under 18. The amount varies depending on household income, the number of children and their ages.

Here’s what families should know ahead of November’s payment.

According to the CRA, the CCB is available to individuals who live with a child under 18 and take primary responsibility for their care.

Applicants must be Canadian residents for tax purposes. Either the applicant or their spouse or common-law partner must also meet one of several status requirements, including being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, eligible temporary resident or someone registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act.

For temporary residents, eligibility generally begins after 18 consecutive months of living in Canada, provided they have a valid permit in the 19th month.

When parents share custody, the CRA generally divides the benefit between them. Each receives 50 per cent of the amount they would otherwise qualify for, based on their respective family incomes.

The full eligibility requirements are available on the CRA’s website.

The amount a family receives is based on its adjusted net income, along with the number and ages of children in the household.

Payments for the current period, which runs from July 2026 to June 2027, are based on income reported on 2025 tax returns. 

Families earning less than $38,237 in adjusted family net income qualify for the maximum payments.

That works out to $679.75 a month, or $8,157 a year, for each child younger than six. For children aged six to 17, the maximum is $573.58 a month, or $6,883 a year.

Families with higher incomes may still qualify, although payments begin to decrease above the $38,237 threshold. Additional reductions apply once adjusted family net income exceeds $82,847.

The maximum amounts were raised in July, increasing by $160 annually for children under six and $135 for those aged six to 17 compared with the previous benefit year.

Parents can check their estimated payments using the CRA’s child and family benefit calculator.

Some families can receive extra financial support through the child disability benefit.

For the current benefit year, families receiving the CCB for a child who qualifies for the disability tax credit could receive up to $290 more each month, or $3,480 annually.

The amount depends on family income. Eligible families do not need to submit a separate application for the child disability benefit, as the CRA calculates it automatically alongside their CCB.

Families should apply once they become eligible, whether that’s following the birth of a child, a change in custody or a child moving into their care.

In Ontario and most other provinces and territories, parents can request the benefit while registering their newborn’s birth through the Automated Benefits Application.

Applications can also be submitted through a CRA account or by mailing Form RC66, the Canada Child Benefits Application.

Those who apply online or by mail must provide proof of birth for any child the CRA hasn’t previously paid benefits for.

Families must also keep up with their annual tax filings to remain eligible. Both parents or partners, where applicable, need to file returns each year, even if they earned no income.

After the Nov. 20 payment, families have one more CCB payment scheduled for 2026.

According to the CRA’s payment calendar, the final payment of the year will be issued Friday, Dec. 11.

That’s earlier than the usual payment date of the 20th, which falls on a Sunday in December.

Although CCB payments are normally issued monthly, families whose total annual benefit is less than $240 receive their entitlement in a single payment in July instead.

Families can receive their benefits through direct deposit or by cheque in the mail.

The CRA encourages recipients to use direct deposit to get their money faster. Those already registered for direct deposit with the agency will generally have their CCB sent to the same bank account.

Payment details, including amounts and dates, can be viewed through a CRA account.

If a scheduled payment doesn’t arrive, recipients should check their account information and allow five business days after the payment date before contacting the CRA.

Matthew Daldalian is a staff reporter with the Star. Reach him via email: mdaldalian@thestar.ca