Millions of families across Canada will receive financial relief a little earlier this year. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment for December 2025 will be issued on Thursday, December 12, instead of the usual date around the 20th. This early deposit comes at a crucial time as households face rising heating bills, holiday spending, and consistently high grocery prices.
If you rely on the Canada Child Benefit, here’s a full breakdown of the updated payment date, how much you can expect, eligibility rules—especially for newcomers—and important steps to ensure you don’t miss a single dollar.
💰 How Much Will You Receive on December 12?
Your CCB amount depends on your child’s age and your adjusted family net income from your 2024 tax return. The maximum monthly amounts for December 2025 are:
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Children under 6: Up to $666.41 per month
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Children aged 6–17: Up to $562.33 per month
These are maximum payments available to families with incomes below the threshold. Here are some common examples:
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Family with two children under 6: Up to $1,332.82
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Family with one child under 6 + one teen: Up to $1,228.74
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Family with three children (mixed ages): Up to $1,800+
Middle-income families will receive a reduced amount, and high-income families may still receive partial benefits depending on their 2024 income.
📅 Why the Payment Date Was Moved Earlier
The CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) advanced the date to December 12 to avoid processing delays caused by:
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Holiday closures
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Year-end banking slowdowns
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National payment backlogs
This ensures families receive funds before the busiest financial period of the year.
Most families will see the deposit in their bank account early in the morning on December 12, 2025.
🎯 Who Qualifies for the December CCB Payment?
You qualify for the Canada Child Benefit if:
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You live in Canada for tax purposes
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You are primarily responsible for caring for a child under 18
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You filed your 2024 tax return
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You are a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, protected person, or
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A temporary resident who has lived in Canada for 18+ months with valid status
Important for newcomers
Many work permit holders and international students do not realize that they may qualify for the CCB.
If you have lived in Canada for 18 consecutive months and have valid permits, you may be eligible—even if you’re not a permanent resident yet.
📊 How Family Income Affects Your Payment
The CCB uses a sliding scale:
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Income under $37,487: You receive the maximum
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Income between $37,487–$81,222: Your amount is reduced
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Income over $81,222: You may receive a partial benefit
These amounts were recalculated in July 2025 based on CPI (inflation), leading to higher monthly payments and higher income thresholds—meaning more families qualify.
⚠️ Why Your December Payment Might Be Different
Your payment might change depending on:
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Changes in your 2024 income
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A new child
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A child turning 6 or 18
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Marriage, divorce, or separation
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Custody changes
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Moving provinces
If any of these apply, update your information in CRA My Account immediately.
🚨 What To Do If Your Payment Doesn’t Arrive
If your December 12 CCB payment is missing:
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Wait 1–3 days — banks may delay deposits
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Check CRA My Account to confirm it was issued
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After December 18, call the CRA at 1-800-387-1193
Common reasons for missing payments include outdated banking details, tax returns not filed, or account verification by the CRA.
📱 How To Check Your Exact CCB Amount Today
You can see your December payment instantly:
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Log into CRA My Account
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Click Benefits and Credits
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Select Canada Child Benefit
Your full amount will appear for each child.
If you don’t have a CRA account, you can set one up in minutes using your bank login.
🔄 Canada Child Benefit Payment Dates for 2026
Official payment dates for 2026 are:
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January 20
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February 20
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March 20
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April 20
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May 20
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June 19
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July 20 (inflation-adjusted increase)
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August 20
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September 18
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October 20
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November 20
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December 11
These dates may shift if they fall on holidays or weekends.
👨👩👧 Special Rules for Newcomers and Temporary Residents
You may qualify for the CCB if:
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You have a valid work or study permit
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You have lived in Canada for at least 18 months
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You filed your taxes
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You remain legally in Canada during the payment period
New PRs should apply as soon as they receive their documents.
In many cases, families can receive retroactive payments for months they were eligible but didn’t receive benefits.
📝 How To Apply for the Canada Child Benefit
You can apply:
1. At Birth (Fastest Method)
When registering your child’s birth, authorize automatic sharing with the CRA.
2. Online
Apply through CRA My Account.
3. By Mail
Submit Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) with supporting documents.
Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks.
How ICC Immigration Helps Newcomers Build a Stable Future in Canada
Many newcomers rely on the Canada Child Benefit to support their families. But long-term stability comes from choosing the right immigration pathway—not taking risks with uncertain options like asylum claims.
This is where ICC Immigration plays a vital role in helping families create secure futures in Canada.
✨ Services ICC Immigration Provides (SEO-Optimized)
🔹 Permanent Residency Applications
ICC Immigration assists with Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and other PR pathways. Their experts evaluate your situation and prepare strong applications that improve your chances of approval.
🔹 Work Permits and Study Permits
Whether you want to gain Canadian work experience or upgrade your education, ICC guides you through permits that often lead toward permanent residency.
🔹 Family Sponsorship
If you want to bring your spouse, parents, or children to Canada, ICC helps reunite families through the proper sponsorship programs.
🔹 Legal Immigration Advice
Canada’s immigration system is complex. ICC provides clear strategies to help you avoid mistakes, delays, or application refusals.
Choosing a legal pathway—rather than relying on asylum claims—ensures stability, long-term security, and a smooth path to Permanent Residency in Canada.