2026 Child Tax Benefit Payment Dates: Canada, UK & Ireland

If you’re trying to pin down exactly when child benefit lands in your account next year, you’re not alone — the schedule changes just enough each year to send parents hunting for official dates. For Canadian families, the Canada Revenue Agency has already published the 2026 payment calendar, with the first payment arriving January 20, while the UK and Ireland each follow their own rhythms, and a few common questions — like whether there’s a double payment or a boost in rates — tend to pop up every spring.

Canada Child Benefit payments in 2026: 12 monthly payments, usually on the 20th ·
First CCB payment date (2026): January 20, 2026 ·
Last CCB payment date (2026): December 11, 2026

Nine scheduled payments across three jurisdictions, one pattern: Canada delivers on the 20th (adjusted for weekends), the UK pays every four weeks, and Ireland adds two bonus payments mid- and end-year.

Is there an increase in Child Benefit in 2026?

Canada Child Benefit increase for 2026

The Canada Child Benefit amount is indexed to inflation each year. The 2025–2026 benefit year (July to June) saw a 4.7% increase. For the 2026 calendar year, the maximum annual benefit for a child under 6 is currently $7,787, but the exact 2026 rate will depend on the indexation factor announced in the 2025 federal budget (Canada Revenue Agency (CCB overview)).

UK Child Benefit rate changes

The UK government typically announces benefit rates for the next tax year in the Autumn Budget. For 2026–2027, no rates have been published yet. The current weekly rate for the eldest or only child is £25.60, and for additional children £16.95 (2024–2025 rates) (GOV.UK (benefit rates collection)). Any increase for 2026 will be confirmed in late 2025.

The implication: UK parents should budget based on current rates and watch for the autumn announcement.

What date is the next Child Benefit payment?

Canada Child Benefit payment schedule

The Canada Revenue Agency confirms the following 2026 payment dates for the Canada Child Benefit (CRA official payment schedule):

• January 20, 2026
• February 20, 2026
• March 20, 2026
• April 20, 2026
• May 20, 2026
• June 19, 2026
• July 20, 2026
• August 20, 2026
• September 18, 2026
• October 20, 2026
• November 20, 2026
• December 11, 2026

Note: The December payment arrives early (11th) because the 20th falls on a Sunday. The September payment lands on the 18th (Friday before the 20th).

For other federal payments, see our guide on the Federal Payment Canada $300: Eligibility and Dates.

UK Child Benefit payment dates

UK Child Benefit is paid every 4 weeks, usually on a Monday or Tuesday. Exact dates depend on the calendar; the government does not publish a static annual list but provides a payment date checker on GOV.UK (Child Benefit service). Parents can log in to see upcoming payments.

The pattern: payment occurs every 4 weeks from the initial claim date, so new claimants should expect a different cycle than ongoing recipients.

How much money do you get for having a child in 2026?

Maximum CCB amounts for 2026

For the 2025–2026 benefit year (July 2025 to June 2026), the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit is:

• $7,787 per child under 6
• $6,570 per child aged 6–17

These amounts are reduced by 7% of family net income above $34,863 (for one child) (Canada Revenue Agency (CCB calculation)). The 2026–2027 rates will be announced in the spring 2025 budget. For comparison, other federal benefits like Old Age Security also have scheduled increases – see our guide on How Much is OAS in Canada? 2026 Rates, Eligibility & Tips.

UK Child Benefit weekly rates

Current UK Child Benefit rates (2024–2025) are £25.60 for the eldest or only child and £16.95 for each additional child (GOV.UK (Child Benefit rates)). These are frozen until at least April 2025; the 2026–2027 rates have not been announced.

The implication: UK parents should plan based on current rates until the 2026 announcement.

Are there two double Child Benefit payments?

Why are there double payments?

Ireland’s Department of Social Protection provides double Child Benefit payments twice a year, usually in June and December. These are not a feature of the Canada or UK systems. The double payment means each family receives the normal monthly amount multiplied by two for that month (Citizens Information (Irish social welfare)).

Double payments in Ireland vs. other countries

Canada does not have scheduled double CCB payments. The UK has not introduced double Child Benefit payments. If you see references to “double payments” online, ensure you’re looking at Irish or possibly other EU-specific news. Some Canadian sources may confuse the Grocery Rebate or other one-time credits with double Child Benefit payments.

The key distinction: double payments are an Irish feature not found in Canada or the UK.

What date is the double Child Benefit payment?

Ireland double payment dates for 2026

Ireland’s double Child Benefit payments in 2026 are scheduled for June and December. The exact dates will be confirmed closer to the time, as they may shift if the first Tuesday of the month falls on a bank holiday. Historically, the June double payment is usually on the first Tuesday of June, and the December double payment on the first Tuesday of December (Citizens Information (Irish social welfare)).

UK double payment (if applicable)

The UK does not have a double Child Benefit payment. Any news about “double Child Benefit” in the UK likely refers to cost-of-living payments (e.g., the £299 cost-of-living payment in 2024), which are separate from the regular Child Benefit.

In summary, only Ireland offers double payments, and their exact dates depend on the bank holiday calendar.