The CPP children’s benefit is a monthly payment for the children of a parent who gets a Canada Pension Plan disability benefit, or who has died after paying into the CPP. In 2026 it pays a flat $307.81 a month for each child under 18 or in school full-time up to age 25, and $153.91 for part-time students. It’s paid on the same day as other CPP payments.
How much you’ll get
Unlike most CPP benefits, the children’s benefit doesn’t depend on how much the parent paid in. Every eligible child gets the same flat rate, which goes up each January. These are the 2026 rates:
| Who | Monthly amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Child under 18 | $307.81 |
| Student aged 18 to 25, full-time at a recognized school or university | $307.81 |
| Student aged 18 to 25, part-time | $153.91 |
A child can get up to two children’s benefits. For example, if one parent gets a CPP disability benefit and the other parent has died after paying into the CPP, the child can get two payments of $307.81, or $615.62 a month in 2026.
Each eligible child in the family gets their own benefit. A surviving parent may also qualify for the CPP survivor’s pension. You apply for both on the same form, ISP1300.
Who qualifies
The child may qualify if all of these apply:
- A parent gets a CPP disability benefit, or has died and paid enough into the CPP to qualify for a death benefit.
- The child is that parent’s natural or legally adopted child, or was in the parent’s care (legally or in fact) before age 21.
- The child is under 18, or is 18 to 25 and attending a recognized school or university full-time or part-time.
Recognized schools include colleges, universities and other schools giving academic, professional, vocational or technical training that the province recognizes.
One rule catches families out: if the parent with a disability is over 65 and a child 18 or older stops going to school, the child’s benefit from that parent ends.
Who the money goes to
- Under 18: the benefit is paid on the child’s behalf to the parent or the person or agency responsible for the child.
- 18 to 25: the benefit is paid directly to the student.
How to apply
The benefit isn’t automatic. How you apply depends on the situation:
- Child under 18 of a parent with a disability: fill in form ISP1152. If the parent is applying for CPP disability now, use section F of the disability application (ISP1151) instead.
- Child under 18 of a parent who died: sign in to My Service Canada Account and choose to apply for the CPP survivor’s pension and children’s benefits, or mail form ISP1300.
- Student aged 18 to 25: the student applies. Sign in to My Service Canada Account and upload proof of enrolment or the signed form ISP1402, or mail the form with proof of enrolment.
You can send readable photocopies of documents. The list of what’s needed is on form ISP1730CPP. Full details are on the canada.ca children’s benefit page.
Students must send a new declaration (ISP1402) when they first apply, at the start of every school year, and when they go back to school after a break. In My Service Canada Account, use “Submit a declaration of attendance at school or university”. If illness keeps a student out of school for a long time, send an illness certificate (ISP-1403).
Payment dates and how it’s paid
The children’s benefit is paid monthly on the CPP payment dates, usually near the end of the month. The remaining 2026 dates are October 28, November 26 and December 22. The calendar at the top of this page shows every date.
Direct deposit arrives faster than a cheque. You can sign up for direct deposit with Service Canada.
When the benefit stops
- the month after the child turns 18, unless they are in school
- when a student aged 18 to 25 stops attending school
- the month after the child turns 25
Tell Service Canada if a student stops school or changes enrolment, if the child’s relationship to the contributor or who has custody changes, or if your name, address or bank account changes.
Payment late, missing or different?
Wait 5 to 10 business days after the payment date before you call, since cheques take longer than direct deposit. Check your payments in My Service Canada Account, then call 1-800-277-9914 (TTY 1-800-255-4786), Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time. From outside Canada and the US, call collect at 1-613-957-1954.
Common reasons a student’s payment stops: the yearly school declaration wasn’t sent at the start of the school year, the student turned 25, or enrolment changed from full-time to part-time, which halves the payment.
Taxes: the children’s benefit is the child’s income, even if a parent receives it. The amount is shown in box 17 of the T4A(P) slip.
Watch for scams. Service Canada never charges a fee to pay a benefit and never asks for gift cards, Bitcoin or passwords by text or email. See our scams page.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Child Benefit: a separate tax-free monthly payment for children under 18, based on family income.
- CPP death benefit: a one-time payment of $2,500 after a CPP contributor dies.
- Canada Disability Benefit: for adults 18 to 64 with a disability tax credit certificate.
- After the death of a spouse: a checklist of benefits to apply for.
Common questions
How much is the CPP children’s benefit in 2026?
$307.81 a month for a child under 18 or a full-time student aged 18 to 25, and $153.91 for a part-time student.
When is the CPP children’s benefit paid?
On the regular CPP payment dates. The next ones in 2026 are October 28, November 26 and December 22.
Can a child get two CPP children’s benefits?
Yes. A child can get a maximum of two, for example when both parents paid into the CPP and each has died or gets a CPP disability benefit.
Does the benefit continue after 18?
Only if the child is in school full-time or part-time, up to age 25. The student applies and sends a school declaration at the start of each school year.
Is the CPP children’s benefit taxable?
It counts as income, but it’s the child’s income, not the parent’s, even when a parent receives the money. It’s shown in box 17 of the T4A(P) slip.