Canadian families receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) are scheduled to receive their next payment on Friday, September 18, 2026. The September payment is part of the new 2026–2027 benefit year, which began in July and includes higher maximum CCB amounts following annual indexation.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) generally issues CCB payments around the 20th of each month. However, when the regular payment date falls on a weekend or federal statutory holiday, the payment is issued on the last business day before it. Since September 20, 2026 falls on a Sunday, the September CCB payment is scheduled for September 18.
How Much Is the Canada Child Benefit in September 2026?
The maximum CCB amounts increased beginning with the July 2026 payment. For the 2026–2027 benefit year, eligible families can receive up to:
- $8,157 per year, or $679.75 per month, for each child under age 6
- $6,883 per year, or approximately $573.58 per month, for each child aged 6 to 17
These are maximum amounts. The actual amount a family receives depends on factors including adjusted family net income, the number of eligible children and their ages.
The new maximums represent increases of up to $160 per child under age 6 and $135 per child aged 6 to 17 compared with the previous benefit year.
Why did the CCB amount increase in July 2026?
The Canada Child Benefit is indexed annually to help account for changes in the cost of living. The updated 2026–2027 maximum amounts took effect with the new benefit year in July 2026.
The CRA calculates CCB payments using information from the previous year’s tax return. For payments beginning in July 2026, the calculation uses information from the 2025 tax year.
This means that even if a family’s circumstances have not changed, its monthly CCB amount may be different from what it received before July.
Who can receive the Canada child benefit?
The CCB is a tax-free monthly benefit intended for eligible families caring for children under 18.
Generally, an applicant must live with a child under 18 and be primarily responsible for the child’s care and upbringing. The applicant must also meet the CRA’s residency and status requirements.
Eligible status can include Canadian citizenship, permanent residence, protected-person status and certain temporary-resident situations. The CRA considers the complete circumstances of each applicant when determining eligibility.
Both spouses or common-law partners generally need to file their income tax returns every year so the CRA can accurately calculate benefits. This applies even when one spouse or partner has little or no income.
What determines your September CCB payment?
Not every eligible family receives the maximum amount.
The CRA calculates the benefit based primarily on adjusted family net income (AFNI), the number of children in the family and the ages of those children. As family income increases, the CCB generally decreases according to the program’s income-tested reduction rules.
Because payments for the 2026–2027 benefit year are based on 2025 tax information, changes in household income between 2024 and 2025 can affect the amount received beginning in July 2026.
Families can use the CRA’s child and family benefits calculator to get an estimate based on their individual circumstances.
What if your September CCB payment is missing?
If you normally receive the Canada Child Benefit but do not see the September payment on September 18, there may be several reasons.
First, check your CRA My Account to confirm the payment amount and status. Also make sure your banking information and personal details are current.
If your payment does not arrive on the scheduled date, the CRA advises recipients to wait five business days before contacting the agency about a missing payment.
A delay may also occur if your tax return has not been assessed or if the CRA needs updated information about your family circumstances.
Canada Child Benefit payment dates for 2026
The CRA’s official payment calendar lists the following CCB dates for 2026:
- January 20, 2026
- February 20, 2026
- March 20, 2026
- April 20, 2026
- May 20, 2026
- June 19, 2026
- July 20, 2026
- August 20, 2026
- September 18, 2026
- October 20, 2026
- November 20, 2026
- December 11, 2026
The September 18 payment is therefore the third CCB payment of the 2026–2027 benefit year.
Child disability benefit can provide additional support
Families caring for a child who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit may also receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) in addition to the regular CCB.
For July 2026 to June 2027, the maximum CDB is $3,480 per eligible child, or $290 per month. The actual amount depends on adjusted family net income and other eligibility factors.
Final thoughts
The September 2026 Canada Child Benefit payment is scheduled for September 18, giving eligible families their monthly tax-free CCB support before the usual September 20 date. The payment falls under the increased 2026–2027 benefit year, with maximum amounts of up to $679.75 per month for children under six and approximately $573.58 for children aged 6 to 17.
Families should remember that these are maximum amounts rather than guaranteed payments. The CRA calculates each family’s benefit based on income, family size, children’s ages and other relevant circumstances.
Checking CRA My Account is one of the easiest ways to confirm your September payment amount and payment status before the scheduled deposit date.
Robert Haynes, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
