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In a significant move to support Canadian families, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has confirmed a $1,200 top-up to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for the 2025–2026 benefit year. This enhancement aims to provide additional financial relief to households raising children, addressing the rising costs associated with childcare, education, and daily expenses.
What Is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment provided to eligible families with children under the age of 18. The amount a family receives depends on factors such as the number of children, their ages, and the family’s adjusted net income. The CCB is recalculated annually based on the previous year’s income, ensuring that support is tailored to current financial circumstances.
Details of the $1,200 Top-Up
For the benefit year spanning from July 2025 to June 2026, eligible families will receive an additional $1,200 per child. This top-up will be distributed in monthly installments, effectively increasing the monthly CCB payments. The payments are tax-free and will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of recipients who have set up direct deposit with the CRA.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the $1,200 top-up, families must meet the following criteria:
- Residency: Be Canadian residents for tax purposes.
- Tax Filing: File a 2024 income tax return, as the CRA uses this information to calculate benefit amounts.
- Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI): Fall within the CRA’s income thresholds, which determine benefit amounts.
It’s important for families to ensure that their personal information, including marital status and the number of children, is up to date with the CRA to avoid delays in receiving payments.
Impact on Families
The additional $1,200 can significantly ease financial pressures for families. For instance, a single parent with one child under the age of 6, earning below the income threshold, would receive a total of $7,997 annually from the CCB. With the top-up, this amount increases to $9,197 per year. Similarly, families with multiple children or those with children aged 6 to 17 will see proportional increases in their annual CCB payments.
Payment Schedule
The CCB payments are issued monthly. For the 2025–2026 benefit year, the payment dates are as follows:
- July 2025: July 4
- August 2025: August 20
- September 2025: September 18
- October 2025: October 20
- November 2025: November 20
- December 2025: December 12
These dates are subject to change, and recipients are advised to check the CRA’s official website or their My Account portal for the most current information.
How to Ensure You Receive the Top-Up
To ensure timely receipt of the $1,200 top-up, families should:
- File Tax Returns: Submit the 2024 income tax return by the deadline.
- Update Personal Information: Notify the CRA of any changes in marital status, address, or number of children.
- Set Up Direct Deposit: Register for direct deposit to receive payments promptly.
Conclusion
The $1,200 Canada Child Benefit top-up for the 2025–2026 benefit year reflects the government’s commitment to supporting families and addressing the financial challenges they face. By increasing the CCB, the government aims to provide families with the resources needed to ensure the well-being and development of their children. Families are encouraged to stay informed and take the necessary steps to benefit from this enhanced support.