Canada Child Benefit: January 2026 payments, amounts and what to expect
CCB deposits for January land next week. Here’s who qualifies, how much you might get and when payments arrive, plus a quick checklist for Toronto families.
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By Torontoer Staff
If you get the Canada Child Benefit, expect the January 2026 deposit to arrive next week, on Tuesday, January 20. For many families in Toronto and across Canada, that monthly boost helps cover everything from groceries and daycare to winter boots and school clubs.
Heads up: the CRA has confirmed CCB amounts will rise when the new benefit year starts in July 2026. Until then, here’s a friendly, Toronto-sized guide to who qualifies, how much you can get and when the money will land in your account.
What is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment from the Canada Revenue Agency designed to help families with kids under 18. Think of it as a little financial breathing room for everyday costs: groceries in Little Italy, a spot at a daycare in Leslieville, or a fresh snowsuit for a toddler who loves the creek at Riverdale Park. The amount you receive depends on household income, the number and ages of your children and whether any child qualifies for disability supports.
Who qualifies?
You’re eligible if you are the primary caregiver for at least one child under 18, and you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes. That includes citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and people registered under the Indian Act. Temporary residents can qualify after 18 months of continuous valid status in Canada. If you share custody, parents can split the benefit, often with each receiving half.
How to apply
The easiest time to apply is at birth: when you register your baby in most provinces, there’s an option to share that info with the CRA so your application can start automatically. If that didn’t happen, log into CRA My Account and choose "apply for child benefits," or mail Form RC66 to your tax centre. Make sure both you and your partner file your annual tax returns, even if you don’t owe taxes, because the CRA uses those returns to calculate and continue your CCB.
How much will you get?
For the current benefit year running through June 2026, maximum monthly amounts are up to $666.41 per child aged 5 or under, and up to $562.33 per child aged 6 to 17. Households with total income of $37,487 or less receive the full benefit, and payments decrease gradually as family income rises. Families caring for a child eligible for the Disability Tax Credit may also get the Child Disability Benefit, an extra $284.25 per month for each qualifying child.
On top of the federal amount, many provinces and territories add top-ups automatically. Depending on where you live, that can mean an extra amount per child each month, so Torontonians should see any Ontario top-up show up in the same deposit from the CRA.
The CCB made it possible for us to breathe a little during my first year back at work, covering daycare and extra groceries when our budget was tight.
Maria, parent in Etobicoke
Want to check your exact amount?
The CRA’s online child benefits calculator can estimate what you should receive. It asks for basic details like household income, number of children, their ages and whether any child has the Disability Tax Credit. It also includes provincial or territorial top-ups so you get a fuller picture of what will land in your account.
Are CCB payments taxable?
No, the Canada Child Benefit is tax-free. You don’t include it as income on your tax return, and it won’t increase what you owe in taxes. The money is yours to spend on your family’s needs.
January payment date and the schedule ahead
CCB payments usually arrive on the 20th of each month, or the last business day before the 20th if that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday. For January 2026, the payment date is Tuesday, January 20.
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Friday, February 20, 2026
- Friday, March 20, 2026
- Monday, April 20, 2026
- Wednesday, May 20, 2026
- Friday, June 19, 2026
Quick checklist before payment day
- File your tax return for 2024 if you haven’t already, to make sure payments continue
- Confirm your CRA My Account details and direct deposit info
- Update changes in custody, marital status or address, since these affect eligibility
- Apply for the Disability Tax Credit if a child qualifies, to access extra supports
- Keep an eye on provincial top-ups that may boost your deposit
If you’re in Toronto and need help with forms or tax filing, local community centres, settlement agencies and neighbourhood legal clinics often offer free or low-cost support. A quick stop at a community hub in Parkdale, Scarborough or North York can save time and stress.
Whether you’re using the CCB to cover daycare in Leslieville, groceries in the Junction or extra tutoring, this monthly support can make a real difference. Keep your info up to date in the CRA portal and watch for the increased payments coming in July 2026.
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