Eligible families can receive tax-free monthly payments from the government to help cover some of the expenses associated with raising children.
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This benefit, known as the Canada Child Benefit, varies based on factors such as household income, family size, and your province or territory of residence.
Thankfully, applying for this benefit is a relatively simple process.
How the Canada Child Benefit Works
In 2016, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) replaced the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) to provide more support to families with lower incomes.
The CCB provides families with children under 18 a direct monthly payment. Because the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) handles the payments, you must file your income taxes to be eligible. However, the CCB payments are not considered taxable income.
If eligible, your CCB payments may also include additional benefits for your children, such as a child disability benefit and various provincial and territorial benefits.
Canada Child Benefit Payment Amounts
Monthly Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments are determined by several factors:
- The number of children in your care
- The age of your children
- Your marital status
- Your adjusted family net income (AFNI) based on the previous year’s tax return
If your adjusted family net income (AFNI) for 2022 was under $34,863, you may be eligible for the following maximum amounts per child:
- Children under six years old: $7,437 per year ($619.75 per month)
- Children aged six to 17 years: $6,275 per year ($522.91 per month)
The CCB is designed to assist lower-income families, so payments decrease if your AFNI exceeds $34,863. Additionally, the benefit amount for each child is reduced if your income is above this threshold.
While CCB calculations and adjustments can be complex, the Government of Canada offers an online CCB calculator to help estimate your monthly payments.
Payments are reassessed every July based on the previous year’s tax return, and the maximum payout is adjusted annually to reflect inflation.
Canada Child Benefit Eligibility
To be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), you, your spouse, or your common-law partner must be one of the following:
- A Canadian citizen
- A permanent resident
- A protected person
- An Indigenous person as defined by the Indian Act
- A temporary resident with valid status for the past 18 months and a permit for the following month
You must also meet these conditions:
- You live with at least one child under 18 years old
- You are primarily responsible for the child’s care
- You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes
If you are caring for a foster child or a child through a kinship or close relationship program, you can only receive the CCB if you are not receiving financial support from the Children’s Special Allowances (CSA) program.
Only one person—the one primarily responsible for the child’s care—should apply for the CCB. To determine who this is in a household with two parents or guardians, consider:
- Who takes care of the child’s daily needs?
- Who ensures the child’s medical needs are met?
- Who arranges child care when necessary?
If both parents share these responsibilities equally and one is female, the CRA assumes the female is primarily responsible for the child’s care, and she should apply for the CCB. However, the female parent can sign a letter stating that the other parent is primarily responsible, allowing the other parent to apply.
In cases of same-sex parents, one parent should apply for the CCB for all the children.
For joint custody situations, the CRA requires that you calculate each parent’s share of caregiving time and apply for the CCB separately based on this information.
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How to Claim the Canada Child Benefit
You can apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) as soon as a child is born, starts living with you, or when you begin to meet the eligibility criteria.
For instance, you can apply when registering your newborn’s birth, typically at the hospital or birthing center. By providing your consent and social insurance number (SIN), the CRA will receive your information directly.
If you missed this opportunity, you can apply online through My Account (your personal CRA account) or by mail.
CCB payments are issued monthly via direct deposit or cheque, usually around the 20th of each month. If your annual benefits amount to less than $240, you will receive a single lump-sum payment. As long as you file your taxes annually and continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you will continue to receive the CCB.
Residents of Alberta or Ontario might also receive the CRA’s Canada PRO deposit, which is a child and family benefit payment made via direct deposit. Eligibility for this additional benefit is based on your financial situation.
