Minister Metlege Diab highlights Canada Child Benefit payments increasing in 2026–2027

What changed

The federal government has increased the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for the 2026–27 program year. The new amounts started this month, and the announcement was made on July 20, 2026.

Background

The CCB is a monthly payment that helps families cover the costs of raising children. It is tax-free, which means you do not pay tax on it. The amount you get is based on your family's income from the previous year, along with the number and ages of your children.

Key details

• Up to $8,157 per child under age 6 in 2026–27
• Up to $6,883 per child aged 6 to 17 in 2026–27
• Increase of up to $160 per child under age 6 and up to $135 per child aged 6 to 17
• The benefit is paid monthly and is tax-free
• The amount depends on the number and ages of children and on your prior year's adjusted family net income
• The benefit year runs from July 1 to June 30, and indexation takes effect on July 1
• Example from the source: one child aged 5 and one child aged 9, with family net income of $65,000, receives about $11,430 in 2026–27, which is nearly $400 more than in 2025–26

Who it affects

Families who receive the CCB are affected. The government says the benefit supports about 3.6 million families across Canada, helping care for nearly 6 million children. In Nova Scotia, the release says:

• About 96,000 families receive the CCB each year
• About 153,000 children are supported by the CCB
• The province receives over $761 million in CCB payments each year

What it means for you

If you already get the CCB, your monthly payment should go up for the 2026–27 year. For example, a family with a 5-year-old and a 9-year-old, earning $65,000, would receive about $400 more than the year before. The exact amount will depend on your own children and income, so your result may be higher or lower.

What to do next

• Sign in to your CRA My Account and check your current CCB amount and payment schedule.
• Make sure the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has the correct number and birthdates of your children.
• Keep your tax return up to date, since the CCB is based on last year's income.
• Visit the official Canada Child Benefit page for the latest payment dates and rules.