If you receive the Canada Child Benefit this December you will get your payment earlier than normal. Eligible families will not need to wait until later in the month because the money will arrive in their accounts next week. This gives parents more time to prepare for holiday spending. The Canada Revenue Agency changes the December CCB payment date every year so families can get their benefits before the busy holiday season. Knowing when the money arrives helps with planning for gifts & groceries & other seasonal expenses. The CRA also announced that CCB payments will increase in 2026. These higher amounts will start when the new benefit year begins in July and will provide ongoing financial help for Canadian families. This guide covers what you need to know about the Canada Child Benefit in December 2025. It explains who can receive it and how to apply along with payment amounts & important dates.
What Is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment from the federal government that helps families with children under 18. The money can be used for everyday expenses like food clothes, school items & activities for kids. The program started in 2016 when it replaced the Universal Child Care Benefit. Since then it has become one of the main ways the federal government supports Canadian families. The CRA runs the program and figures out how much each family gets based on their situation. Your CCB payment depends on your household income, how many children you have, how old your children are and whether you qualify for disability support. Some provinces and territories give extra child benefit money on top of the federal amount. These additional payments are added to your regular CCB & can increase the total amount you receive each month.
Who Is Eligible for the Canada Child Benefit?
– You need to be a Canadian tax resident who lives with at least one child under 18 years old.
– You must be mainly responsible for taking care of the child & making everyday decisions about their basic needs.
If you share custody with someone else you might get half the benefit amount.
– You also need to fit into one of these categories.
– You can be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
– You might be a protected person or registered under the Indian Act.
– You could also be a temporary resident who has kept valid status in Canada for 18 months in a row.
The CCB does not use a fixed income limit.
– Instead the payment amounts go down slowly as your household income goes up.
– Families with higher incomes can still get some money but they will receive less than families who earn modest incomes.
How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit
If you have recently had a baby or started caring for a child you should apply as soon as you can. Here is what you need to do:
Newborn Birth Registration
Many provinces let parents agree to share their newborn’s details with the CRA when they register the birth. This means the CRA can start the CCB application process automatically without you needing to fill out extra forms. Direct Application If you did not enroll during birth registration you can apply directly by using
CRA My Account
This is the quickest and easiest option. You just log in and click on “Apply for child benefits.” Form RC66: You can download this form & mail it to your local tax centre but this option usually takes more time.
Filing Requirements
You & your spouse or common-law partner need to file your income tax returns every year to keep getting CCB payments. This applies even if neither of you earned any income. If you file your 2024 tax returns late your payments might be delayed so you should get them done quickly. After your application is approved the CRA will check if you qualify for any provincial or territorial child benefit programs on its own. You do not need to submit separate applications for these additional payments.
How Much Is the Canada Child Benefit?
The CCB payment you receive depends on your household income and the number & ages of your children. It also considers whether any child qualifies for disability benefits. For the benefit year running from 2025 to 2026 the maximum monthly amounts are $666.41 for each child who is five years old or younger and $562.33 for each child between six and seventeen years old. Families with annual incomes of $37,487 or below get the full maximum payment. Families earning more than this amount can still receive the benefit but the payment gets smaller as income rises. The exact reduction also depends on how many people live in the household. Additional Support for Children with Disabilities When a child has been approved for the Disability Tax Credit the family may also receive the Child Disability Benefit. This adds up to $284.25 each month for that child. Families earning more than $81222 per year will see this extra amount gradually reduced. Extra Money from Provinces & Territories Several provinces and territories offer their own child benefit programs that work alongside the federal CCB. These regional programs can provide up to $300 per child each month in some areas. The provincial money arrives in the same payment as the federal benefit so families receive one combined deposit.
Canada Child Benefit Calculator
The CRA provides a free online CCB payment calculator that helps you estimate your monthly benefit amount.
– To use this tool you need to enter your household income along with the number of children in your family and their ages.
– If any of your children have a disability you can include that information as well. The calculator takes into account any additional payments from your province or territory.
– This means you get a complete picture of what your total monthly benefit will be when you use this estimation tool.
Is the Canada Child Benefit Taxable?
The CCB is completely tax-free. No income tax is deducted from payments. Payments are not counted as income on your tax return. CCB does not affect tax refunds or liabilities. Every dollar you receive from the CCB is yours to keep without tax consequences.
Canada Child Benefit Payment Dates
CCB payments usually arrive on the 20th of each month. If the 20th falls on a weekend or federal holiday the payment comes on the last weekday before that date. December 2025 Exception The CRA releases December payments one week earlier to help families during the holiday season.
Planning Ahead for 2026
The CRA has stated that CCB payments will go up beginning in July 2026. Families should expect to receive more money each month for their children. This will make it simpler to organize budgets for the future. You can get the most from your benefits next year by monitoring your income & any changes in your household. It also helps to stay informed about provincial top-ups that may be available to you.
