The Canada Child Benefit is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026. For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, the maximum is $679.75 a month for each eligible child under 6 and $573.58 a month for each eligible child age 6 through 17. Those maximums apply before income-based reductions.
The CCB is simple only at headline level. A date and a maximum fit neatly into a search result; the deposit is messier. It can change when a child has a birthday, when family income changes, after a marital-status update or when shared-custody information reaches the CRA.
That makes October 20 a date to watch, not a dollar amount to spend in advance. Open your latest CCB notice or CRA My Account before treating any online maximum as your household’s number.
The scheduled Canada Child Benefit payment date for October 2026.
The 2026–27 CCB maximums
| Child’s age | Maximum per month | Maximum per year |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | $679.75 | $8,157 |
| Age 6 through 17 | $573.58 | $6,883 |
These are maximums for each eligible child. The CRA says reductions begin when adjusted family net income is above $38,237. The reduction formula then depends on income and the number of eligible children, so copying another family’s deposit is not a reliable shortcut.
Which tax year controls the October payment?
October sits inside the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year. That means the CRA generally uses the household’s 2025 adjusted family net income, along with the number and ages of eligible children and other family information on file.
Both spouses or common-law partners need to file an income-tax return every year—even if one had no income—so the CRA can keep calculating family benefits. A missing return can stop or delay payments.
Ontario families may see more than the federal CCB
The Ontario Child Benefit can add up to $146.66 per child each month for eligible low- and moderate-income families. It is delivered with the CCB rather than as a separate application or a clearly separate bank deposit. The provincial amount begins to reduce when adjusted family net income is over $26,865.
If a child is eligible for the disability tax credit, the federal Child Disability Benefit can add up to $290 a month for July 2026 to June 2027. Again, “up to” matters: family income and eligibility determine the actual amount.
The biggest CCB number wins the click, but the benefit notice wins the argument. A useful family budget starts with the amount the CRA calculated—not the maximum in a headline.
Why an October payment may change
- A child moved into a new age band. The under-6 maximum is higher than the age 6–17 maximum.
- Your marital status changed. The CRA recalculates using both partners’ information after a marriage or common-law update and after a qualifying separation.
- Custody changed. Shared-custody rules can affect who receives a payment and how much.
- A return was reassessed. A change to 2025 family income can change the current benefit year.
- Information is missing. An unfiled tax return, outdated address or unresolved eligibility request can interrupt payments.
If the October 20 CCB is missing
- Wait five business days. The CRA asks recipients to allow five business days after the scheduled date before contacting it about a missing CCB payment.
- Open CRA My Account. Check the benefits and credits section, the expected amount and any new notice.
- Confirm both tax returns were filed. This includes a spouse or common-law partner with no income.
- Check family details. Review address, direct deposit, custody, marital status and the children listed on the account.
- Contact the CRA only after those checks. Have the relevant notice and identification information ready.
One easy-to-miss rule: if your total CCB for the full benefit year is less than $240, the CRA generally pays it as one lump sum in July instead of monthly. In that case, no October deposit may be completely normal.
A safer way to budget the payment
Use the amount shown in your current CRA notice as the starting point, then keep a small buffer if a birthday, separation, new partnership, custody change or reassessment is still being processed. If the money covers a fixed bill, schedule the bill for after the deposit has actually cleared—not merely for October 20.
Official sources
- Canada Revenue Agency: CCB payment dates and missing-payment guidance
- Canada Revenue Agency: Canada Child Benefit guide for July 2026 to June 2027
- Canada Revenue Agency: benefit and credit payment calendar
Keep reading
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This page was reviewed and approved for publication by Matelacom Inc. We distinguish confirmed facts from editorial analysis and link material claims to official sources. Corrections: info@matelacom.ca.
For educational purposes only. This article provides general information and editorial analysis, not personal financial, legal, tax or investment advice. Benefit rules, dates, thresholds and eligibility can change; verify current details with the Canada Revenue Agency before acting.