Attention, parents! Summer’s about to get a little sweeter for families across Canada, with some extra cash on the way from the federal government. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is rolling out early this month — and it might be a bit bigger, too.
The CCB is one of the biggest government payments families receive. Thanks to the start of a brand-new benefit year, July’s payment reflects both the latest inflation adjustment and any changes to you reported on your 2024 tax return.
The CRA recalculates benefit payments like this one every July, using your latest financial info to determine what you’re owed. The 2025–26 CCB rates are getting a 2.7% increase, and for some households, changes in income or family size could mean even more of a difference.
That means this month’s CCB deposit could look different than what you’ve been used to — and for some families, it might even be higher. If your income dropped last year or your family grew, you could see a jump in your monthly total.
Plus, since the usual CCB payment date falls on a Sunday this month, the deposit is arriving two days earlier than normal — just in time to help cover those summer break expenses.
Here’s what to know about the Canada Child Benefit for July 2025, including who’s eligible, how much (more) you can get and when the payment is dropping.
What is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit is a monthly, tax-free payment from the federal government that helps parents and guardians cover the cost of raising kids. It’s administered by the CRA and is meant to ease some of the financial pressure that comes with child care, school supplies and other day-to-day costs.
The program launched in 2016, replacing the old Universal Child Care Benefit. Since then, it’s become one of the main income supports for families in Canada.
How much you get each month depends on your adjusted family net income, the number of children you have and their ages. If your child qualifies for the Child Disability Benefit, that can also increase your total. In some provinces and territories, you might also receive extra top-up payments from your provincial government, which means the total amount you receive can vary depending on where you live.
Who is eligible for the Canada Child Benefit?
To qualify for the Canada Child Benefit, you need to live in Canada and be considered a resident for tax purposes. You also need to be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person, someone registered under the Indian Act or a temporary resident with valid status for at least 18 months.
You must also live with a child under the age of 18 and be their primary caregiver — the person mainly responsible for their day-to-day care and upbringing.
There’s no specific income limit that cuts you off from receiving the CCB, but your household income does determine how much you get. Higher-earning families may still be eligible, though they’ll usually receive a reduced amount. The final calculation is based on your net income and how many children you’re supporting.
How to apply for the Canada Child Benefit
If you’ve recently had a child or taken over as their main caregiver, it’s a good idea to apply for the Canada Child Benefit right away — the sooner you apply, the sooner your payments can start.
The simplest way to apply is during your child’s birth registration. In most provinces and territories, you can give consent to share your details with the Canada Revenue Agency, including your social insurance number, which allows your CCB application to go through automatically without any extra forms.
If you didn’t apply when registering the birth, you can still do it at any time. Just log in to your CRA My Account and use the “Apply for child benefits” option. Prefer paper? You can also fill out Form RC66 and mail it to your local tax centre.
To keep getting CCB payments, both you and your spouse or partner (if you have one) must file a tax return every year — even if you had no income. If you haven’t submitted your 2024 return yet, now’s the time to get it done to avoid delays in your payments.
When you apply for the CCB, the CRA will also check if you qualify for any provincial or territorial child benefits — you won’t need to submit a separate application for those.
How much is the Canada Child Benefit?
The amount you receive through the Canada Child Benefit depends on your adjusted family net income, how many children you have, their ages and whether any are eligible for disability-related support.
Starting this month, CCB payments and income thresholds are both going up by 2.7% to keep pace with inflation. That means that for the 2025–26 benefit year, the maximum monthly amounts are now $666.41 per child under 6 and $562.33 per child aged 6 to 17.
If your family income is less than $37,487, you’ll receive the maximum amount. If your income is higher, you can still receive a benefit, but your payment amount will be reduced gradually based on how much you earn and how many kids you’re raising.
If you have a child who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the Child Disability Benefit is also increasing — starting in July, you can get up to $284.25 extra each month from the CDB. That amount starts to decrease once your income exceeds $81,222.
Plus, some provinces and territories — B.C., New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, P.E.I. and all three territories — offer their own top-ups, which could add up to $300 more per child monthly, depending on where you live.
Canada Child Benefit calculator
If you want to estimate your monthly Canada Child Benefit payment, the Canada Revenue Agency offers an online CCB payment calculator that can help. It’s a straightforward tool that gives you a personalized estimate based on your family’s specific details.
To use it, you’ll need to enter your household income, the number of children in your care, their ages and whether any qualify for the DTC. The calculator also factors in any provincial or territorial top-ups you may be eligible for, giving you a more complete picture of your potential payments.
Is the Canada Child Benefit taxable?
No — the Canada Child Benefit is completely tax-free. You don’t have to report it as income when you file your taxes, and it won’t impact your refund or increase the amount you owe. Whatever you receive through the CCB is yours to keep, with no tax consequences now or in the future.
When are the Canada Child Benefit payment dates?
CCB payments are usually deposited on the 20th of each month. But if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the funds are sent out on the nearest business day before.
This month, the CCB is arriving a little earlier than usual — on Friday, July 18 — since the 20th lands on a Sunday. It also marks the first payment of the new benefit year, which is based on your 2024 tax return and includes the latest increases.
Here are the other remaining Canada Child Benefit payment dates for 2025:
- Wednesday, August 20
- Friday, September 19
- Monday, October 20
- Thursday, November 20
- Friday, December 12
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