$7997 Canada Child Benefit 2025 Boost – Full Eligibility and CRA Payment Dates

As of 2025, eligible Canadian families can receive up to $7997 annually per child under 6 years and $6748 for children aged 6 to 17. This monthly tax-free payment helps families manage the increasing costs of raising children in a high-inflation environment.

This detailed guide explains who qualifies, how the CRA calculates the benefit, when to expect the October 2025 payments, and how to stay compliant with updated CRA rules. Whether you’re a long-time parent or a new resident of Canada, this guide will help you plan your finances wisely.

What Is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment delivered to eligible Canadian families with children under the age of 18. Its purpose is to help cover the day-to-day costs of raising children, such as food, clothing, and education.

The CCB is:

• Income-tested, based on your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI)
• Indexed annually to inflation to reflect changes in the cost of living
• Administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Introduced in 2016 to consolidate older federal child benefit programs, the CCB has since become a cornerstone of Canada’s social support framework for families

October 2025 CCB Payment: What’s New?

For the benefit year July 2025 to June 2026, the CRA has increased CCB amounts to match inflation. The payment for October 2025 reflects the new maximum rates.

Child’s Age	Maximum Annual Amount	Maximum Monthly Amount
Under 6 years old	$7,997	$666.41
Age 6 to 17 years old	$6,748	$562.33

These are the maximum amounts for households with low or no taxable income. Families with higher adjusted net incomes will receive reduced benefits based on the CRA’s clawback formula.

Who Qualifies for the October 2025 Canada Child Benefit?

To receive the CCB in October 2025, you must meet the following CRA requirements:

Residency and Citizenship Requirements

• You must live in Canada and be a resident for tax purposes
• The applicant or their spouse/common-law partner must be:
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or
• A protected person or eligible temporary resident who has lived in Canada for at least 18 months

Child Eligibility

• The child must be under 18 years old
• The child must live with you and be under your primary care

Filing a Tax Return

• Both you and your spouse/common-law partner (if applicable) must file an annual tax return, even if there is no income earned
• The CRA uses your previous year’s income to calculate benefits for the current year

Custody Arrangements

• For shared custody, the CCB is usually split 50/50
• The CRA must recognize the custody arrangement for payments to be divided

Up-to-Date Personal Details

Make sure the CRA has your correct marital status, number of children, and address to avoid payment delays.

How Is the CCB Amount Calculated?

The CRA uses a standard formula that considers several key variables:

Number of Children

• Each eligible child qualifies for either the full or partial CCB amount depending on age

Age of Each Child

• Children under 6 qualify for higher benefits than those aged 6–17

Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI)

• Based on your 2024 tax return, the benefit is gradually reduced as your AFNI increases above a threshold (updated annually)

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

• If your child qualifies for the DTC, you may be eligible for an additional monthly amount

Shared Custody

• If both parents share custody equally, the benefit is split accordingly

Newcomer or New Parent

• You may receive prorated or retroactive payments after establishing eligibility

When Will the October 2025 CCB Be Paid?

The CRA usually deposits the monthly CCB payment on the 20th of each month. For October 2025, the expected direct deposit date is:

Monday, October 20, 2025

If this date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deposit may be made on the preceding business day. Paper cheques may take a few extra days to arrive by mail.

You can always check payment status using your CRA My Account or by calling the CRA automated benefit line.

Inflation Indexing and Annual Adjustments

The CCB is indexed annually to reflect rising living costs. This ensures that families are not left behind as inflation increases the price of essentials like food, housing, and childcare.

For 2025–2026, the increase in maximum benefits reflects a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied by the CRA in July 2025.

What If Your Income Changes Mid-Year?

Because the CRA bases payments on the previous year’s tax return, your 2025 CCB payments are calculated using your 2024 income.

If your financial situation has drastically changed (job loss, new child, divorce), you should inform the CRA. While payments won’t be immediately adjusted, CRA can reassess your benefit upon:

• Re-assessment of tax returns
• Submission of updated personal or custody details
• Reapplication for new parents or immigrants

Additional Provincial and Territorial Child Benefits

In addition to the federal CCB, most provinces and territories offer their own child benefit programs that may be delivered together with the CCB:

• Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)
• Alberta Child and Family Benefit
• BC Child Opportunity Benefit
• And others

These additional benefits are often based on your federal eligibility and are automatically included in your monthly payment if applicable.

How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit

Most families don’t need to apply separately—if you’ve filed your taxes, and your child’s birth has been registered, the CRA will automatically assess eligibility.

However, if you’re a new parent, recent immigrant, or someone who didn’t receive previous CCB payments, you can:

1. Apply via CRA My Account
2. Submit Form RC66: Canada Child Benefits Application
3. Provide proof of status, immigration documents, and custody information if requested

Important Reminders for October 2025

To avoid missed or delayed payments:

• File your 2024 taxes on time
• Keep your CRA My Account updated
• Notify CRA of custody changes or address updates
• Be cautious of scam calls or emails pretending to offer benefit help
• CRA does not ask for payment or banking information via phone or text