Families in Toronto with children under 18 can receive two tax-free monthly payments from the same deposit: the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB). For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, the CCB pays up to $8,157 a year for each child under 6, and the OCB adds up to $146.66 a month per child. Both depend on your family income, and both require you to file your taxes every year.

This is general information, not financial or tax advice. Use the Canada Revenue Agency’s calculator or speak to a professional for your situation.

At a glance (July 2026 to June 2027)

Sources: CRA: how the CCB is calculated and CRA: Ontario programs.

What the Canada Child Benefit is

The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment from the federal government to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recalculates it every July using the adjusted family net income (AFNI) from the previous year’s tax returns. For payments from July 2026 to June 2027, the CRA uses your 2025 income.

If your AFNI is under $38,237, you get the full amount. Above that, the benefit is gradually reduced, and the reduction rate depends on how many children you have, with a larger reduction above $82,847. Many middle-income Toronto families still receive a partial payment.

What the Ontario Child Benefit is

The OCB is Ontario’s tax-free benefit for low- to moderate-income families with children under 18. For July 2026 to June 2027, it pays up to $146.66 a month per child. Families with AFNI above $26,865 receive a partial amount. There is no separate application: the CRA administers the OCB and pays it together with the CCB in a single monthly deposit. For policy questions, the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services can be reached at 1-888-789-4199.

Who is eligible for the CCB

According to the CRA’s eligibility page, you must meet all of the following:

• You live with a child under 18.
• You are primarily responsible for the child’s care and upbringing.
• You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
• You or your spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, a registered (or entitled) person under the Indian Act, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months and holds a valid permit in the 19th month.

When parents live together, the CRA presumes the female parent is primarily responsible and should apply, unless the other parent applies with a signed letter. Only one payment goes to each household. In shared custody, where the child lives with each parent about 40% to 60% of the time, both parents can apply and each receives half.

How to apply

• Newborns: in Ontario, you can apply for the CCB at the same time as you register your baby’s birth.
• Otherwise: apply through CRA My Account or by submitting the CRA’s application form.
• Newcomers: you may need to provide additional documents about your status and income before arriving in Canada. See our newcomer checklist.

Full instructions are on canada.ca.

Payment dates

The CRA lists the remaining 2026 CCB payment dates as November 20, 2026 and December 11, 2026. Dates for 2027 are posted on the CRA benefit payment dates page. If a payment does not arrive, wait five working days before contacting the CRA.

Why filing your taxes matters

The CRA can only calculate your benefits if you, and your spouse or common-law partner, file a tax return each year, even if you had little or no income. Missing a return can stop your CCB and OCB payments in July. Low-income families in Toronto can often get their taxes done free at community volunteer tax clinics.

Example: how much a family might receive

Take a Toronto family with one child aged 3 and one aged 8, and an adjusted family net income below $26,865 in 2025. Because their income is below both thresholds, they would qualify for the maximum amounts from July 2026 to June 2027:

Families with higher incomes receive less, on a sliding scale. To estimate your own amount, use the CRA child and family benefits calculator.

Keeping your payments accurate

• Tell the CRA promptly about changes in marital status, custody or address.
• If a child leaves your care, the benefit must stop; overpayments have to be repaid.
• Keep your direct deposit details up to date in CRA My Account.

Related benefits for Ontario families

• Ontario Trillium Benefit: a separate program combining Ontario’s energy and property tax credit, Northern Ontario energy credit and sales tax credit, usually paid monthly on the 10th.
• Child Disability Benefit: an extra amount added to the CCB for children eligible for the disability tax credit.
• GST/HST credit: a quarterly federal payment that is also based on your tax return.

For context on household budgets, see our Toronto cost of living guide and our article on the 2026 Ontario minimum wage.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Canada Child Benefit in 2026?

From July 2026 to June 2027, the maximum is $8,157 a year per child under 6 and $6,883 per child aged 6 to 17. Your actual amount depends on your 2025 family net income.

Do I need to apply separately for the Ontario Child Benefit?

No. Applying for the CCB also gets you assessed for the OCB, and the two are paid together.

When is the next CCB payment?

The CRA lists November 20 and December 11, 2026.

Is the CCB taxable?

No. Both the CCB and the OCB are tax-free.

General information only; amounts and rules are set by the CRA and the Government of Ontario and can change.

Last updated: November 2026