The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) is a tax-free monthly payment from the Ontario government for low- and moderate-income families with children under 18. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) runs it and pays it in the same deposit as your Canada Child Benefit (CCB). From July 2026 to June 2027, you can get up to $146.66 a month for each child, which is about $1,760 a year.
How much you’ll get (July 2026 to June 2027)
The CRA works out your OCB each July from your adjusted family net income on the previous year’s tax returns. For July 2026 to June 2027, that’s your 2025 return, plus your spouse’s or common-law partner’s.
| Number of children under 18 | Maximum per month | Maximum per year (about) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $146.66 | $1,760 |
| 2 | $293.32 | $3,520 |
| 3 | $439.98 | $5,280 |
| 4 | $586.64 | $7,040 |
You get the full amount if your adjusted family net income is $26,865 or less. Above that, you may get part of the benefit. The OCB goes down gradually as income rises, so many families with moderate incomes still get some.
Examples
- A single parent with two children and a family net income of $24,000 is under $26,865, so they get the full $293.32 a month from the OCB, on top of their CCB.
- A couple with one child and a family net income of $26,000 also gets the full $146.66 a month.
For higher incomes, the CRA’s child and family benefits calculator shows your OCB and CCB together.
If your monthly payment would be less than $20, the CRA pays the whole year as one lump sum in July instead. For the July 2026 to June 2027 year, that payment was on July 20, 2026.
Who qualifies
You can get the OCB if all of these are true:
- You live in Ontario.
- You have a child under 18 living with you, and you are mainly responsible for their care.
- You qualify for the Canada Child Benefit.
- You and your spouse or partner file your taxes every year, even if you had no income.
- Your family net income is low or moderate.
If you share custody, with the child living with each parent 40% to 60% of the time, each parent gets 50% of the OCB they would get with full custody.
How to get it
There is no separate application. When you apply for the Canada Child Benefit and file your taxes, the CRA checks whether you qualify for the OCB too.
- Apply for the CCB. When your baby is born, tick the box to apply for benefits on the birth registration form. You can also apply through CRA My Account, or by mail with Form RC66.
- File your taxes by April 30 every year, and make sure your spouse or partner does too.
- Tell the CRA about changes to your address, bank account, marital status or custody.
Our Canada Child Benefit guide walks through the CCB application step by step.
The OCB and Ontario Works or ODSP
If you get Ontario Works or ODSP, the OCB and the CCB are not counted as income. They don’t lower your monthly assistance, so make sure you’re getting them.
What changed in 2026
- New amounts started in July 2026: up to $146.66 a month per child, with the full amount for family incomes up to $26,865.
- From July 2026, your OCB is based on your 2025 tax return. If your income changed, your OCB may have changed in July too.
- The CCB paid in the same deposit also rose in July 2026.
Payment late, missing or different?
The OCB arrives in the same deposit as the CCB, usually around the 20th of the month. The dates are in the calendar at the top of this page. If it hasn’t arrived, wait 5 working days after the payment date, then check the payment status in CRA My Account.
If it’s still missing, call the CRA benefits line at 1-800-387-1193 (TTY 1-800-665-0354). For questions about the program itself, Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is at 1-888-789-4199.
Common reasons a payment is late, missing or different:
- You or your partner didn’t file a tax return, so the CRA can’t work out your benefit. Payments can stop until you file.
- Your address or bank account changed and the CRA wasn’t told.
- Your family income went up, so your OCB went down in July.
- Your amount is small, so it was paid as one lump sum in July.
- Your child turned 18, or custody changed.
Watch for scams. The CRA never asks for fees, gift cards, crypto or your passwords by text or email, and never threatens arrest. If a message asks for any of these, don’t answer it.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Child Benefit: the federal payment that the OCB comes with. The Child Disability Benefit is added if your child has the Disability Tax Credit.
- Ontario Trillium Benefit: help with rent or property tax, energy and sales tax, based on your tax return.
- GST/HST credit (Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit): a quarterly tax-free payment that’s higher for families with children.
- Canada Workers Benefit: a refundable tax credit if you work and have a low income.
- Ontario Works: monthly help with basic needs and housing if you’re in financial need.
Common questions
How much is the Ontario Child Benefit per child in 2026?
Up to $146.66 a month per child under 18 for July 2026 to June 2027, or about $1,760 a year.
Do I need to apply for the Ontario Child Benefit?
No. Apply for the Canada Child Benefit and file your taxes each year. The CRA checks your OCB eligibility automatically.
Why is my Ontario Child Benefit included with my CCB payment?
Ontario pays for the OCB, but the CRA delivers it. It’s combined with your CCB into one monthly deposit.
Does the Ontario Child Benefit count as income for Ontario Works?
No. The OCB and the CCB are exempt as income for both Ontario Works and ODSP.
Is the Ontario Child Benefit taxable?
No. You don’t report it on your tax return.