The Canada child benefit (CCB), previously called the child tax benefit, is a tax-free monthly payment given to families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years old. There are a few conditions you need to meet before applying to receive the Canada child benefit.
Payment amounts vary per family based on factors like household income, number and age of children, and marital status. In addition, most provincial governments also offer a tax benefit for parents.
Key Takeaways
- The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free payment for eligible parents with children under 18.
- Your payment amount depends on your income, marital status, and number and age of your children.
- Apply for the CCB as soon as your child is born or adopted.
Who's eligible for the Canada Child Benefit?
In order to qualify for the CCB, you need to meet these qualifications:
- Live with a child (younger than 18)
- Be primarily responsible for the child’s care
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
You or your spouse must also fit one of these descriptions:
- Canadian citizen
- Protected person
- Temporary resident (details apply)
- Fall under the Indian Act guidelines
Custody arrangements
If both parents are primarily responsible for caring for the child, then only one can apply for 100% of the benefit.
If there's a shared custody agreement where parents share primary care 50/50, then both can apply and receive 50% of the normal benefit amount.
For more information on different living arrangements, see: Who can apply.
How much is the Canada Child Benefit?
CCB payment amounts are based on your income, the number of children you have, and the age of the children.
For the July 2024 to June 2025 period, the maximum benefit amounts are:
- $7,787 per year ($648.91/month) for each child under 6 years old
- $6,570 per year ($547.50/month) for each child between 6 and 17 years old
Here are the details explaining how your annual family net income (AFNI) can affect your payment amounts:
- Below $36,502: You're eligible for the maximum amount per child
- Between $36,502 and $79,087: Your payments are reduced by a percentage of your income above $36,502
- Greater than $79,087: Your payments are reduced by a fixed amount plus a percentage of your income above $79,087
How is the Canada Child Benefit calculated?
The CRA uses a formula to calculate the amount each family receives, taking the following information into account:
- Number of children under your care: The more children you have, the higher your payment will be
- Age of your children: Children under 6 are eligible for a higher payment than children ages 6 - 17
- Your marital status: If you're married, you're eligible for 100% of the payment, but if you're separated and share custody, you may only be eligible for 50% of the payment
- Your adjusted family net income (AFNI): The lower your income, the higher your eligible payment. This is the net income on your tax return (and your spouse’s return if married), minus any universal child care benefits (UCCB) or registered disability savings plan (RDSP) income received in the year, plus any UCCB or RDSP amounts repaid in the year
Payments are recalculated (and automatically adjusted) each July based on your prior year’s AFNI. That means a change in your income in 2023 would be reflected in the payments starting in July 2024. For the 2025 year, this means that your income in 2024 would be reflected in payments starting after June 2025.
To find more information, see: How much you can get.
Canada Child Benefit payment dates
The Canada child benefit payment dates for 2025 are:
January 20, 2025February 20, 2025March 20, 2025April 17, 2025May 20, 2025June 20, 2025July 18, 2025August 20, 2025September 19, 2025October 20, 2025- November 20, 2025
- December 12, 2025
How to apply for the Child Benefit in Canada
It's best to apply for the benefit as soon as the child is born or comes under your care. If it's been more than 11 months, you'll have to provide additional documentation.
The easiest way to apply is while you're registering the birth, which is usually filed directly at the hospital. You can also apply online through CRA's My Account.
In both cases, you can expect your first payment within 8 weeks of application.
You can also apply by mail, but the processing time can take up to 11 weeks.
FAQ
What is Canada's Child Benefit?
The Canada child benefit is a tax-free monthly payment given by the federal government to middle-to-low income families to ease the financial burden of raising a family.
What is the Canada Child Benefit eligibility criteria?
You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent or temporary resident, or a protected person. Other eligibility details include living with your child (younger than 18), being primarily responsible for their care, and being a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
What's the maximum amount I can receive for Canada's Child Benefit?
The maximum Canada Child Benefit amount is $7,787 per year ($648.91 per month) for children under 6 years of age and up to $6,570 per year ($547.50 per month) for children ages 6 - 17.
When are the Canada Child Benefit payment dates?
The Canada Child Benefit payments are made on or near the 20th of each month. Payment amounts are adjusted every July and factors like AFNI, number of children, and children's ages are taken into account.
How can I apply for the Canada Child Benefit?
The best method is to apply at the hospital as soon as your child is born. If you missed this opportunity or are a newcomer to Canada, you can still apply through your CRA My Account or by mail.
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