Canada Child Benefit Amounts 2026–2027: How Much You Get as a Grandparent

Maximum CCB Rates for July 2026 to June 2027

The Canada Child Benefit recalibrates every July 1 for inflation. For the current benefit year (July 2026 through June 2027), the maximum annual amounts are:

• Under age 6: $8,157 per year ($679.75 per month)
• Ages 6 to 17: $6,883 per year ($573.58 per month)

These maximums apply when your household Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) is at or below $38,237 for the 2025 tax year. Most grandparents on pension income fall in this range.

How Income Reduces Your Benefit

The CCB phases out in two tiers as household income rises. The reduction rates depend on how many eligible children are in your care:

One child:

• AFNI between $38,237 and $82,847: benefit reduces by 7% of income above $38,237
• AFNI above $82,847: benefit reduces by $3,123 plus 3.2% of income above $82,847

Two children:

• AFNI between $38,237 and $82,847: benefit reduces by 13.5% of income above $38,237
• AFNI above $82,847: benefit reduces by $6,022 plus 5.7% of income above $82,847

Three children:

• AFNI between $38,237 and $82,847: reduces by 19% of income above $38,237
• AFNI above $82,847: reduces by $8,476 plus 8% of income above $82,847

What Counts as Adjusted Family Net Income

AFNI uses your Line 23600 net income and your spouse or common-law partner's Line 23600 net income, with the CRA's adjustments for CCB and RDSP amounts.

For grandparents, typical income sources that count toward AFNI include:

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement or disability benefits
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
• RRIF withdrawals
• Employment income
• Investment income

What doesn't count: the child's income is irrelevant, the biological parents' income is irrelevant (once you're the primary caregiver), and provincial kinship care payments that are non-taxable under Section 81(1)(h) of the Income Tax Act don't appear on Line 23600.

A Worked Example for a Typical Grandparent Household

A retired grandmother receiving $18,000 in CPP and OAS (combined) takes in her 4-year-old grandson. Her common-law partner receives $14,000 in CPP. Their combined AFNI is $32,000.

Since $32,000 is below the $38,237 threshold, they receive the full maximum: $679.75 per month ($8,157 per year) for the child.

If the child has a disability with an approved Form T2201, add the Child Disability Benefit: $290 per month ($3,480 per year) at maximum, for a combined $969.75 per month.

Why Filing Your Tax Return Matters

The CCB for July 2026 through June 2027 is calculated using your 2025 tax year AFNI. Both you and your spouse must file a T1 return for 2025, even if your total income was zero.

If either of you fails to file by the April 30 deadline, the CRA suspends CCB payments starting in July. Payments don't resume until both returns are processed. For grandparents who may not have been filing returns (because they had no tax owing), this is one of the most common — and most preventable — causes of a payment freeze.

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) offers free tax preparation at clinics across Canada for people with modest incomes. If you haven't filed, this is the fastest way to get caught up.

Payment Schedule

The CCB is paid on the 20th of each month (or the last business day before the 20th if it falls on a weekend or holiday). Payments arrive by direct deposit or mailed cheque, depending on how your CRA account is set up.

Direct deposit is faster and eliminates lost-cheque risk. You can set it up through CRA My Account or by calling the benefits line at 1-800-387-1193.

Our kinship caregiver guide includes a benefit calculation worksheet so you can estimate your monthly CCB based on your actual household income, plus the full application walkthrough for getting your claim filed correctly the first time.

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