What Is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment administered by the CRA to help eligible Canadian families with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. Unlike older programs it replaced, the CCB is income-tested, meaning the amount you receive decreases as your family net income increases.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the CCB, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You live with a child who is under 18 years of age.
- You are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child.
- You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- You or your spouse/common-law partner is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or has a certain immigration status.
Shared custody arrangements are also recognized — each parent may receive 50% of the CCB amount they would otherwise be entitled to.
How Much Can You Receive?
CCB payment amounts are recalculated each July based on your previous year's tax return. The payment amount depends on:
- Your adjusted family net income (AFNI)
- The number of children in your care
- Whether any children have a disability (the Child Disability Benefit may be added)
Families with lower incomes receive the maximum benefit. As your net income rises above certain thresholds, the amount is gradually reduced. The CRA publishes updated benefit rates each year — always check canada.ca for the current figures.
How to Apply for the CCB
There are three main ways to apply:
- When registering a newborn: In most provinces, you can apply for the CCB through the automated Newborn Registration Service when you register your child's birth.
- Through CRA My Account: Log in and use the "Apply for child benefits" service.
- By mail: Complete and mail Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) to your local CRA tax centre.
Filing Your Taxes Is Essential
Even if you have little or no income, you must file your tax return every year to continue receiving the CCB. The CRA uses your tax return to calculate your benefit amount for the upcoming benefit year (July to June). If you don't file, your payments may be stopped.
The Child Disability Benefit (CDB)
If your child qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), you may also be eligible for the Child Disability Benefit, which is an additional tax-free amount paid monthly on top of the CCB.
Quick Summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Payment type | Tax-free monthly payments |
| Eligible children | Under 18 years of age |
| Based on | Adjusted family net income |
| Recalculated | Every July using prior-year tax return |
| How to apply | CRA My Account, Form RC66, or newborn registration |