CRA Confirms $7997 CCB for Young Children, Check Payment Dates and Eligibility Rules

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) continues to be one of the most important supports for families across the country. As food, housing, and childcare costs continue to rise, the federal government has confirmed updated CCB amounts for the July 2025–June 2026 benefit year. Families raising children under 18 can receive as much as $7997 per child under age 6 and $6748 per child aged 6–17.

The benefit, which is tax-free and issued monthly by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), is directly tied to household income. This means the lower your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI), the closer you are to receiving the maximum annual benefit.

What Is the Canada Child Benefit?

The CCB is a federal program created to reduce child poverty and assist parents with the cost of raising children. It replaced earlier programs like the Universal Child Care Benefit and the Canada Child Tax Benefit, consolidating support into a single, income-tested monthly payment.

For the 2025–26 benefit year, maximum payments are:

• $7997 per child under 6 – equivalent to about $666.41 per month.
• $6748 per child aged 6–17 – equivalent to about $562.33 per month.

These amounts are automatically indexed to inflation, meaning they rise in line with the cost of living each July.

CCB Payment Dates in 2025

The CRA issues monthly CCB payments on fixed dates. For 2025, parents can expect their deposits or cheques on the following days:

• January 20
• February 20
• March 20
• April 17
• May 20
• June 20
• July 18
• August 20
• September 19
• October 20
• November 20
• December 12

If your annual entitlement is under $240, the CRA will send the amount as a single lump sum in July.

How Your Income Affects the CCB

The CCB is reduced, or “clawed back,” as family income increases. Reductions start once Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) exceeds \$37,487.

Here’s how the clawback works:

• One child:
• Reduce by 7% of AFNI over $37,487.
• If AFNI exceeds $81222, reduction is $3,061 + 3.2% of income above that threshold.
• Two children:
• Reduce by 13.5% of AFNI over $37,487.
• If AFNI exceeds $81222, reduction is $5,904 + 5.7% of income above that.
• Larger families: Additional children increase the clawback rate.

This formula ensures that low- and middle-income families receive the most support, while higher-income households see reduced benefits.

The Child Disability Benefit (CDB)

Parents of children with disabilities may qualify for the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) in addition to the CCB.

For 2025–26, the maximum CDB is $3411 per child annually (about $284.25 per month). To qualify, a child must be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

The CDB is paid automatically with the CCB once DTC eligibility is confirmed.

First Payment & Processing Time

For new applicants, the CRA requires time to verify eligibility. Processing times are:

• ~8 weeks if you apply online through CRA My Account.
• ~11 weeks if you apply by mail.

Payments are retroactive to the date of eligibility, provided taxes and applications are filed correctly.

Example Scenarios for Families

To illustrate how the CCB works, here are examples for 2025–26:

• Family A: Two children aged 4 and 7, with AFNI of \$35,000.
• Eligible for maximum rates: $7,997 + $6,748 = $14745 annually, or about \$1,228 per month.
• Family B: Single parent with one 12-year-old, AFNI $50,000.
• CCB reduced by clawback, estimated annual benefit: ~$5600, or about $466 per month.
• Family C: Couple with three children aged 10, 14, and 16, AFNI $90000.
• Higher clawback applied, estimated annual benefit: ~$7000, or about $583 per month.

Why Families Are Seeing “$6748” in 2025

The figure \$6,748 is widely quoted because it represents the maximum annual CCB for each child aged 6–17 in the 2025–26 benefit year. For younger children under 6, the maximum is even higher at $7,997.

How to Maximize Your CCB in 2025

To ensure you receive the full entitlement:

• File your 2024 taxes on time, as payments for July 2025–June 2026 are based on that return.
• Update family information promptly – including changes in marital status, custody, or address.
• Apply for the Disability Tax Credit if your child qualifies, to access the CDB.
• Register for direct deposit with CRA for faster payments.

Broader Impact of the CCB

Since its introduction, the CCB has been credited with reducing child poverty across Canada. Government reports suggest the program has lifted hundreds of thousands of children above the poverty line.

Economists note that while the CCB is generous compared to international standards, ongoing inflation has eroded purchasing power. The automatic indexing feature helps mitigate this, but many families continue to call for additional top-ups.

CCB at a Glance (2025–26)

Item	Under 6	Age 6–17	Notes
Annual Maximum	$7997	$6748	Based on AFNI; recalculated each July; indexed to inflation
Monthly Maximum	$666.41	$562.33	Paid monthly unless annual entitlement < \$240
2025 Payment Dates	–	–	Jan 20, Feb 20, Mar 20, Apr 17, May 20, Jun 20, Jul 18, Aug 20, Sep 19, Oct 20, Nov 20, Dec 12

5 SEO-Friendly FAQs

Q1: How much is the Canada Child Benefit in 2025?
Up to \$7,997 per child under 6 and \$6,748 per child aged 6–17 for the July 2025–June 2026 benefit year.

Q2: When will CCB payments be issued in 2025?
On the 20th of most months, with specific dates: Jan 20, Feb 20, Mar 20, Apr 17, May 20, Jun 20, Jul 18, Aug 20, Sep 19, Oct 20, Nov 20, Dec 12.

Q3: Do parents need to apply for the CCB?
If already registered, payments continue automatically. New applicants must apply through CRA and submit birth details for each child.

Q4: How does income affect CCB amounts?
Benefits are reduced when AFNI exceeds \$37,487, with clawback rates depending on family size.

Q5: Can families receive extra support for children with disabilities?
Yes, the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) provides up to $3411 per eligible child annually, paid with the CCB.