Canada Child Benefit (CCB): A Complete Guide for Canadian Families 2025

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families in Canada to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The CCB was introduced in 2016 by the federal government to provide additional financial support to middle-class families and lift children out of poverty.

This guide will provide parents and guardians with everything they need to know about qualifying for and receiving the Canada Child Benefit. We’ll cover eligibility requirements, payment amounts, how to apply, payment schedules, reporting changes, filing taxes, maximizing benefits, and more. We aim to deliver clear, accurate, and authoritative advice to help families utilize this valuable government program.

What are Canada Child Benefit Eligibility Requirements?

The Canada Child Benefit (previously the Canada Child Tax Benefit) is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and has specific eligibility criteria that caregivers must meet to qualify. This section will outline the key requirements.

Who Can Receive the CBB?

According to the CRA documents, the CCB is available to the primary caregiver of children under 18 years old who meet the eligibility criteria. In addition, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• Be primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child. This means being involved in supervising the child’s daily activities, ensuring their medical needs are met, and arranging child care when necessary.
• Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes
• You or your spouse/common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or a temporary resident living in Canada for the previous 18 months with a valid 19th month permit.

Caregivers cannot receive the CCB for foster children in months when Children’s Special Allowances are being provided. However, you may get the CCB if you live with and care for a child under a kinship or close relationship program, as long as CSA is not payable for that child.

If there is a female parent living in the household, she is presumed to be the primary caregiver unless otherwise stated. For same-sex couples, one parent should apply for all children in the home.

When two caregivers share custody of a child, they may both get a percentage of the CCB based on how much time the child stays with each person. The amount will factor in each caregiver’s adjusted family net income.

Necessary Documents to Apply

Caregivers need to supply documentation to substantiate their CCB application, including:

• Proof of the child’s birth, such as a birth certificate
• Evidence of Canadian residency like a rental agreement or utility bill
• Legal custody paperwork if relevant
• Immigration documentation for new residents or protected individuals

How Much Canada Child Benefit Can You Receive?

The amount of Canada Child Benefit you receive depends on your adjusted family net income, the number of children you have, and your children’s ages.

From July 2025 to June 2026, the CCB provides a maximum annual benefit of:

• $7,997 per year for children under 6
• $6,748 per year for children aged 6-17

This number was $7,787 and $6,570, respectively, for the period from July 2024 to June 2025.

Your payments start decreasing gradully once your adjusted family net income (AFNI) exceeds the $37,487 threshold. The reduction percentage rises based on the number of children you have.

The table below shows the maximum CCB payment amounts by age and income level based on the number of eligible children in your care.

To give you a better idea of how these CCB calculations work, let’s walk through some examples. The maximum CCB amounts shown in the table may be reduced based on your adjusted family net income and the number of eligible children. If your AFNI exceeds the $37,487 threshold, a percentage of the overage income gets deducted from the maximum CCB amount for the number of kids. This percentage reduction gets larger as you have more children.

For incomes above $81,222, there is both a set deduction amount and a percentage reduction based on the AFNI overage and the number of children. The examples below illustrate how this calculation works for different family sizes and incomes.

Example 1:

Jennifer is a single mother with 1 child under 6 years old.

Scenario A: If Jennifer’s adjusted family net income for the previous tax year was $32,000, since her income is below $37,487, she qualifies for the maximum CCB amount of $7,997/year.

Scenario B: If instead Jennifer’s adjusted family net income was $40,000, her income exceeds the $37,487 threshold. Her income over the threshold is $40,000 – $37,487 = $2,513. This $2,513 overage gets reduced by 7% (the rate for 1 child). So the maximum CCB of $7,997 is reduced by $175.94, resulting in $7,821.06 annually.

Example 2:

Carla is a single mom with 3 children aged 5, 10 and 15. Her AFNI is $90,000.

With 3 kids, her income exceeds the higher threshold of $81,222. Her income over this threshold is $90,000 – $81,222 = $8,778.

This $8,778 gets reduced by 8% (the rate for 3 children). 8% of $8,778 is $702.24.

The maximum CCB for 3 children is: $7,997 + $6,748 * 2 = $21,493. This is first reduced by $8,310, then further reduced by the $702.24 calculated above.

So her total annual CCB payment will be $12,480.76/year.

Additional Benefits for Children with Disabilities

If you have a child under 18 years old with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions, they may be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Eligibility for the DTC is determined by the Canada Revenue Agency after approving Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, completed by a medical practitioner.

If your child is approved for the DTC, you may also receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) as part of your Canada Child Benefit payments.

The CDB provides up to an additional $3,411 per year ($282.25 per month) for each DTC-eligible child under 18. See all about how much CDB Payments you will receive.

How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit

Knowing when and how to apply for child benefits will ensure you receive your CCB payments in a timely manner. This section outlines the application process.

When Should You Apply?

You should apply for the CCB as soon as possible when:

• your child is born
• a child begins living with you
• you obtain custody of a child
• you change a shared custody arrangement

If it has been more than 11 months since the child began living with you, you’ll need to provide additional documents to support your application.

How to Apply Online

You can submit your CCB application online using My Account on the CRA website. Simply provide your contact information, marital status, citizenship, child’s details, and banking information for direct deposit.

How to Apply by Mail

Alternatively, you can apply by mail using RC66 Form, Canada Child Benefits Application. Print and complete the form, attach supporting documents, and mail it to your CRA tax centre.

Applying at Birth Registration

When registering your baby’s birth, you can consent to share your SIN so the hospital can send your details directly to the CRA and initiate your CCB application.

After Applying for the Canada Child Benefit

The CRA will process your application within 8 weeks if applying online, or 11 weeks by mail. You’ll receive a Notice of Entitlement once approved, outlining your benefit amount.

If additional documentation is needed, the CRA will contact you, and you can submit supporting documents through My Account.

What are CCB Payment Dates?

The CRA issues CCB payments on the 20th of each month, except in December when the payment date is earlier. You can receive payments by check or direct deposit.

If the payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, your CCB will be deposited on the last business day prior.

Direct Deposit vs. Check in the Mail

Direct deposit ensures you receive your payment quickly into your bank account. Checks may take up to 10 days by mail. Payments will be delivered by check if you have not set up direct deposit with the CRA.

If you do not receive your CCB within 5 business days of the scheduled payment date, contact the CRA at 1-800-387-1193 to inquire about the status of your benefit.

Reporting Changes to the CRA

To keep receiving accurate Canada Child Benefit payments, you must inform the CRA right away about any major changes in your family situation. The changes can be:

• Marital or relationship status – if you get married, separated, divorced, or start/end a common-law relationship
• Family income changes significantly
• Living arrangement changes – if a child starts/stops living with you
• Custody status changes – getting custody or giving up custody of a child
• New banking information for direct deposits
• Address changes
• Changes in the number of eligible children – having a baby, child turning 18
• If a 16/17 year-old child starts/stops attending school full-time
• A child leaves your care or passes away

How to Update Your Information

Reporting changes to your details with the CRA is easy through either:

• CRA My Account online
• Calling 1-800-387-1193

If you do not update your information on time, you risk receiving incorrect payments or having to repay amounts you were overpaid.

It is recommended that you report any relevant changes to your situation within 30 days of the change happening to prevent any issues. The only exception is an address update, which you should report as soon as possible to prevent missed payments.

Related provincial and territorial child benefits

Some provinces and territories provide additional child and family benefits along with the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB) program.

Alberta Child Benefit

Alberta provides the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB), a tax-free monthly payment to families with children under 18. For 2025-2026, the ACFB provides up to $1,499 per year for the first child and $749 per additional child. The ACFB is reduced when family income exceeds $27,565.

BC Child Benefit

British Columbia offers the BC Family Benefit, a monthly tax-free payment to families with children under 18, combined with the CCB payment. For 2025-2026, the BC Family Benefit provides $1,750 per year for the first child, $1,100 for the second child, and $900 per additional child. Amounts begin to reduce when the adjusted family net income exceeds $29,526.

Manitoba Child Benefit

The CRA does not administer any benefit program on behalf of the Province of Manitoba.

Manitoba provides the Manitoba Child Benefit (MCB), a monthly payment to lower-income families with dependent children under 18. Families may receive up to $35 per month or $420 per child annually. The Children’s Opti-Care Program also provides additional assistance for the child for prescription eyeglasses.

New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit

New Brunswick provides the New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit (NBCTB), which gives $20.83 per month for each child under 18. There is also a New Brunswick Working Income Supplement (NBWIS) of up to $20.83 per month based on family earned income over $3,750. Benefits begin to reduce when the adjusted family net income exceeds $20,921.

Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit

Newfoundland and Labrador offers a Child Benefit of $155.66 per month for the first child, $165 for the second child, $177.25 for the third child, and $190.41 for each additional child under 18 as a supplement to the CCB for low-income families.

Northwest Territories Child Benefit

The Northwest Territories Child Benefit provides a annual non-taxable amount of up to $815 per child under 6 and $652 per child 6-17 in addition to the CCB amount. The benefit is reduced when your AFNI exceeds $30,000.

Nova Scotia Child Benefit

Nova Scotia provides the Nova Scotia Child Benefit, giving an additional $127.08 per month for each child under 18 to low-and modest-income families. This supplement is paid together with the CCB amount. If your AFNI is between $26,000 and $34,000, you may get part of the benefit.

Ontario Child Benefit

Ontario provides the Ontario Child Benefit, an additional tax-free amount of up to $143.91 per month for each child under 18 paid to low- to moderate-income families along with their CCB. The amount is reduced when family income exceeds $26,364.

Prince Edward Island Children’s Benefit

The PEI Children’s Benefit newly launched in January 2025. For July 2025 to June 2026, the PEI Child Benefit provides:

• $30 per month for each child under 18 if the net income is less than $45,000
• $20 per month for each child under 18 if the net income is from $45,000 to $80,000.

Family Allowance Quebec

Quebec has its own Family Allowance program separate from the federal CCB. The Family Allowance is a refundable tax credit paid by the provincial government to assist families with dependent children under 18. It consists of:

• The Family Allowance payment – financial assistance to all eligible families with one or more dependent children under 18.
• The supplement for school supplies – an annual payment for children aged 4-16 to assist with back-to-school costs.
• The supplement for handicapped children – additional financial assistance based on the child’s disability and impact on daily living.

Parents automatically register for Family Allowance when reporting their child’s birth.

Saskatchewan Child Benefit

Saskatchewan provides the Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit (SLITC), administered by the CRA, alongside the federal GST/HST credit. The SLITC is a tax-free payment made to help Saskatchewan residents with low and modest incomes offset the sales taxes they pay.

As of July 2025, the SLITC provides:

• $429 for an individual
• $169 per child, up to 2 children

The maximum annual credit for family earning less than $38,598 is $1,196. The credit starts getting reduced when the adjusted family net income exceeds $38,598. See more about SLITC benefits here.

Yukon Child Benefit

The Yukon Child Benefit provides an additional $78.08 per month for each child for low-income families. This supplement is paid with the monthly CCB amount. You may get part of the benefit if your AFNI is above $35,000.

Nunavut Child Benefit

Nunavut offers the Nunavut Child Benefit, which provides a basic benefit of $348 per year for each child plus a territorial workers’ supplement of up to $290 per year(for one child) and $79 (for two or more children). This supplementary benefit is combined with the monthly CCB payment. If your AFNI is above $22,065, you may get part of the benefit.

Filing Taxes and CCB Renewals

To continue receiving your CCB each year, you and your spouse/partner must file your tax returns annually, even if you have no income to report.

The CRA calculates your CCB amount based on tax information from the previous year. Filing your return ensures they have accurate income data to determine your payments.

The CRA recalculates your CCB every July based on your previous year’s tax return information. You’ll receive a CCB Notice outlining your updated entitlement.

If your income changed significantly, your July payment could differ greatly from your June payment. The CRA may contact you to confirm your circumstances.

Repaying CCB Overpayments

If a recalculation determines you received excess Canada Child Benefit payments beyond your eligible amount, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will send you a notice indicating the amount you owe.

The CRA may deduct amounts from future CCB payments, tax refunds, GST/HST credits, or other benefits to repay the overpayment debt.

If you receive an overpayment notice, you can visit the CRA website for guidance on repayment.

If you believe your overpayment calculation is incorrect, contact the CRA within 30 days to formally dispute the amount and provide supporting documentation.

Maximizing Your Canada Child Benefits

To get the most from the CCB program:

• Contribute to an RRSP to help lower your adjusted family net income.
• Open an RESP account to save some of your CCB payments for your child’s future education.
• Apply for provincial and territorial child benefit programs you may be eligible for.
• Report all changes in your situation as soon as possible.
• Review your bank information and payment dates in My Account before each payment month.
• Double-check that your tax return is accurate and filed on time.
• Consult with a tax expert if you have a complex family situation.

Following these best practices will ensure you receive the full CCB amount you’re entitled to.

FAQs Related To The Canada Child Benefit

The bottom line

The Canada Child Benefit provides tax-free monthly payments, reducing child poverty through a simple application process, providing regular, predictable support. Studies have shown measurable reductions in child poverty rates since the CCB was introduced. For many families, the additional CCB money they receive each month makes a real difference in making ends meet and improving their children’s quality of life.