New Canada Child Benefit Payment Coming on September 18

The CCB is intended to help families with the costs of raising children under the age of 18.  For the 2026-2027 year, Canadian families could receive a maximum of $679.75 per month for each child aged six and younger, and up to $573.58 per month for each child aged six to 17.

In most provinces, the CRA combines the CCB with provincial and territorial child benefits, so you may receive a larger amount.

Here’s everything you need to know about the September payment of the Canada Child Benefit.

Key Takeaways

• Next payment date: September 18, 2026
• Maximum amount for a child under six: $679.75 per month
• Maximum amount for a child aged six to 17: $573.58 per month
• Income used to calculate payments: Your adjusted family net income from 2025
• Are CCB payments taxable? No
• Do newcomers qualify? All permanent residents and protected persons should qualify, and some temporary residents may also qualify

How Much Is the Canada Child Benefit in September 2026?

The CCB benefit year runs from July 2026 through June 2027. During this period, the maximum payment amount is:

These amounts are for each child. Families with multiple children will receive benefits for each.

If your adjusted net family income is below $38,237, you will receive the maximum CCB amount. If you earn above that amount, your payment amount will be gradually reduced the more that you earn.

Also, the CCB is totally tax free, so you don’t need to report this income on your annual income tax.

Does Your September CCB Payment Include Provincial Payments, Too?

In most provinces, the CRA combines the CCB with provincial child benefits. If you’re in one of these provinces (listed below), you may be entitled to a slightly larger sum. If you’re not from one of these provinces, you’ll receive your provincial benefits separately.

Here are the maximum monthly payments for provinces and territories whose child benefits are combined with the CCB:

Please note: These are maximum amounts. Each province and territory has its own income threshold, so depending on your family income you may receive less than the maximum.

In Quebec and Alberta, provincial child benefits are managed separate from the CRA, and payments are made on a quarterly basis. Manitoba does not offer a provincial child benefit.

Who Qualifies for the Canada Child Benefit?

To qualify for the Canada Child Benefit, you generally need to meet these requirements:

• live with a child under the age of 18
• be primarily responsible for the child’s care and upbringing
• be considered a resident of Canada for tax purposes
• have an eligible Canadian immigration or residency status (you or your spouse/common-law partner)

Eligible statuses can include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and some temporary residents.

Can Temporary Residents Receive the Canada Child Benefit?

If you are a temporary resident, you must live in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months on a valid immigration status to qualify for the Canada Child Benefit.

This means many newcomers on temporary work or study permits will not qualify immediately after arriving in Canada. They may become eligible once they meet the 18-month residency requirement, provided they continue to hold valid temporary resident status (and meet the other requirements). Visitors to Canada are not eligible for the CCB.

Permanent residents and protected persons are not subject to a wait period.

Do Newcomers Have to File a Canadian Tax Return Before Applying?

No. One common misconception about the CCB is that newcomers need to wait until after filing a tax return before they become eligible for the CCB. This is not the case: you can apply for the CCB before you file your first tax return.

However, you (and your spouse/common-law partner) will need to provide the CRA with information about your income before you arrived in Canada. The CRA will need this information to determine your eligibility and the amount of CCB benefits you receive.

How Do You Apply for the Canada Child Benefit?

There are three main ways to apply for the CCB:

1. Through birth registration: Parents can apply while registering the birth of a newborn with their Canadian province or territory.
2. Through an online CRA account: You can add a child under the “Benefits and credits” section of your CRA account.
3. By mail: Only recommended if you cannot apply through the first two methods. You can complete Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, and send it to the CRA with any required supporting documents.

Newcomers may also need to submit additional forms confirming their immigration status and income earned outside Canada. The CRA may ask for proof of birth, immigration documents, or information about your spouse or partner before processing the application.

What About the Child Disability Benefit?

If you care for a child who qualifies for the disability tax credit, you will also receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) alongside your CCB payment. For the July 2026 to June 2027 period, the Child Disability Benefit offers a maximum of $3,480 per year ($290 per month) for each eligible child.

Like the CCB, the amount you receive from the CDB depends on your family income.

What If Your September 18 CCB Payment Doesn’t Arrive?

As long as you have set up direct deposit with the CRA, your September CCB payment will be automatically deposited into your account on September 18.

There is, however, one important exception. If your total CCB benefit for the entire 2026-2027 period is less than $240, the CRA would have paid this as a lump sum in July. So, you will not receive any further payments during this period.

If you’re expecting a September payment and it doesn’t arrive, check your CRA account to make sure your address and banking information are correct. Also, double check to make sure you were actually eligible to receive the payment.

If you need to contact CRA, the agency recommends waiting five business days after the missed payment date before reaching out.

Following September, the next Canada Child Benefit payment is scheduled for October 20, 2026.