Got Kids? Your Canada Child Benefit Is Going Up July 20!

Great news for families across Scarborough and all of Canada! The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) — the federal government's largest support program for families raising children — is increasing this month. If you have children under 18, you will see a bigger deposit land in your bank account starting July 20, 2026.

How Much More Will You Get?

The Canada Revenue Agency applies an annual inflation adjustment — called indexation — to the CCB every July. For the 2026–27 benefit year, the increase is 2%, which works out to the following new maximum amounts:

1. Each child under age 6: up to $8,157 per year ($679.75 per month)
2. Each child aged 6 to 17: up to $6,883 per year ($573.58 per month)

To put that in real terms: a family with two children under six, both receiving the full maximum CCB, will receive a combined $16,314 per year — that is $320 more per year than before, or about $26.67 extra every month, simply from this one adjustment.

Who Qualifies?

To receive the CCB you must:

✅ Live with a child under 18 and be their primary caregiver — responsible for their daily needs, medical care, and upbringing ✅ Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes ✅ Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or hold certain types of work or study permits

About income: The CCB is income-tested, meaning the more your family earns, the lower your payment. Families with an adjusted family net income below $38,237 receive the full maximum. Above that, payments gradually reduce. However even middle-income families receive meaningful amounts — do not assume you do not qualify without checking.

Why Might Your July Payment Look Different From June?

Many families will notice their CCB amount changed between June and July. This happens every year because CRA recalculates your benefit in July based on your previous year's tax return. Starting July 2026, your payment is calculated using your 2025 income, not 2024. If your income went up in 2025, your payment may be lower. If your income went down, it may be higher. This is completely normal and expected.

2026–27 Payment Dates

Payments are issued on the 20th of each month, moving to the previous business day if the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday.

Extra Support: Child Disability Benefit

If your child is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), you may also receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) on top of your regular CCB. The maximum Child Disability Benefit also rose in July 2026, from $3,411 per year to $3,480 per year ($290 per month) per eligible child. Both payments arrive together in the same monthly deposit.

New to Canada? Here Is What to Do

If you recently arrived in Canada, the CRA cannot automatically send you CCB payments because you have no tax filing history yet. You must submit Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) to register. You can download it at canada.ca or pick it up at the Service Canada office at Scarborough Town Centre, 300 Borough Drive.

Your Action Checklist

✅ File your 2025 tax return — no tax return means no CCB payment, even if you had zero income ✅ Check CRA My Account at canada.ca to see your new payment amount and verify your information is correct ✅ Set up direct deposit — fastest and most secure way to receive your payment ✅ New to Canada? Complete and submit Form RC66 immediately ✅ Had a new baby or change in custody? Notify the CRA promptly to avoid missed payments or overpayments

Useful Contacts

1. CRA Benefits Line: 1-800-387-1193
2. Service Canada Scarborough: Scarborough Town Centre, 300 Borough Drive
3. CRA My Account: canada.ca/my-cra-account
4. Full CCB details: canada.ca/child-benefit

Found this helpful? Share it with every parent you know in Scarborough — this money belongs to your family, make sure you get every dollar of it.