Canadian families can receive higher Canada Child Benefit payments beginning this month as the federal program adjusts for inflation.
The tax-free monthly benefit will provide eligible families with up to $8,157 annually for each child younger than six and up to $6,883 for each child between six and 17.
That represents an increase of up to $160 per child younger than six and up to $135 for each child between six and 17 compared with the previous benefit year.
Benefit supports millions of families
The federal government says the Canada Child Benefit supports about 3.6 million families caring for six million children and provides approximately $30 billion in tax-free payments each year.
The amount a family receives depends on its adjusted net income from the previous year, along with the number and ages of children in its care.
For example, the government says a family with a five-year-old and a nine-year-old and an adjusted net family income of $65,000 could receive about $11,430 during the 2026-27 benefit year. That would be nearly $400 more than the family received the previous year.
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Payments indexed to inflation
The Canada Child Benefit has been indexed to inflation annually since 2018.
Annual increases take effect July 1, which marks the beginning of the benefit year running through June 30.
Children and Youth Secretary of State Anna Gainey said the increased payments will help families manage everyday expenses such as groceries, clothing and school supplies.
“When we invest in kids, we’re investing in our future and building Canada strong,” Gainey said in a statement.