Canada Child Benefit payments in May are putting hundreds of dollars into bank accounts

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is giving out hundreds of dollars to parents and caregivers this month.

Payments for May are on the way, so check your bank account or your mailbox soon.

This is one of the government payments that's administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) each month.

You can get a lot of money, especially if you have more than one child in your care!

So, if you're an eligible parent or caregiver, here's what you need to know about the CCB payment date in May and how much you can receive from this federal benefit.

What is the Canada Child Benefit?

The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18 years old.

It can also include amounts for the child disability benefit, along with related provincial and territorial programs.

Who is eligible for the Canada Child Benefit?

You may be eligible for the CCB if you live with and care for a child under 18 years old.

Also, you must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes, and you or your spouse/common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, temporary resident, or individual who's registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act.

You can't get the CCB for a foster child in your care who already receives the Children's Special Allowance.

Eligible parents and caregivers aren't automatically enrolled in this benefit program.

You should apply for the CCB as soon as you or your spouse/common-law partner meet the eligibility criteria, and any of the following happens:

• your child is born
• a child starts to live with you, or returns to live with you after a temporary period with someone else
• you begin, end, or change a shared custody arrangement
• you get custody of a child

You can apply through a birth registration or through your CRA account.

How much money can you get from the Canada Child Benefit?

If you're eligible for this benefit, how much money you can get from the CCB is based on how many children are in your care, the age of the children, and your adjusted family net income.

Benefit amounts for the May payment are related to adjusted family net incomes from 2024.

With this month's payment, you can get:

• up to $666.41 for each child under six years of age
• up to $562.33 for each child between six and 17 years of age

CCB payments are given at those maximum amounts if your adjusted family net income is less than $37,487.

If your adjusted family net income is greater than $37,487 and up to $81,222, your benefit amount is reduced by a percentage of your income greater than $37,487. That percentage changes depending on the number of eligible children you have.

If your adjusted family net income is more than $81,222, your benefit is reduced by a fixed amount plus an additional percentage of your income greater than $81,222. The fixed amount and percentage are based on the number of eligible children in your care.

When is the next Canada Child Benefit payment date?

The next CCB payment date is Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

How do you get Canada Child Benefit payments?

CCB payments are issued via direct deposit into your bank account or a cheque sent through the mail.

If you have direct deposit set up with the CRA, you'll get this CBB payment automatically deposited into your bank account.

If you don't have direct deposit set up with the CRA, you'll get the payment as a cheque by mail.

You won't get a monthly payment in May if your total benefit amount for the year is less than $240. Instead, your next payment will be a lump sum in July.

To continue receiving CCB payments, you have to file your tax return every year because that's what the CRA uses to calculate your benefit amount.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.