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What is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit is income assistance provided to parents who need it. The amount a family is entitled to will be based on combined income, the number of children, and the age of the children.
According to the Canadian federal government, the CCB has distributed billions of dollars to about 3.7 million Canadian families, helping over 300,000 children out of poverty.
Eligibility depends on how many children you have, how old your children are, and how much your annual income is. Whether or not you have one child or five, there is a certain amount you can receive per child.
The amount is formulated from a basic federal amount and then a different amount is added depending on the province in which you live. See the chart below for a total breakdown. The tax benefit continues up until the child is 18 years old.
How do I apply for the child tax benefit?
When your child is born, most provinces have a birth package that includes all of the pertinent documents you’ll need for your new baby, such as birth certificate and registration. An application for the child tax credit is often included in this package. Another method is applying for it at tax time, even if you aren’t earning any income.
For more information on applying for the CCB, click here.
How do I receive the child tax benefit?
Once approved, the amount is either mailed by cheque or deposited directly via direct deposit on the 20th of every month. If the 20th falls on a weekend or a holiday, the amount deposits on the last business day before. You can check the Government of Canada’s payment date website for exact release dates for the year here. The cycle of payments runs from July of one year to June of the next, based on the most recent tax season.
How much Canada Child Benefit can I receive?
The amount of child tax benefit you can receive depends on four factors:
- How much your income is
- How many children you have
- How old they are
- If any of your children are disabled
The maximum yearly amount families can receive for children under six years of age is $7,787 per child every year ($648.91 every month), for families earning under $36,502 a year.
For children aged 6-17 years of age, families in that same income bracket can receive a maximum of $6,570 ($547.50 every month) per child per year.
These amounts will be reduced of your adjusted family net income exceeds $36,502.
This child and family benefits calculator will give you a good idea of how much you can expect to receive.
How provincial and territorial child benefit and credit programs work
The chart below highlights most provincial and territorial child benefit and credit programs. For the most part, you do not need to apply to a province or a territory to receive payment for any of these programs. Simply apply for the CCB, and officials will determine your eligibility for the programs below. Each provincial benefit is usually combined with your CCB into a single monthly payment.
If you are deemed eligible, the amount of your payments will be based on:
- The number of dependent children you have under the age of 18 years
- Family combined income
- Single-parent or two-parent status
The amounts mentioned below are maximum yearly payments you may be eligible for in 2024.
| Province / Territory | Program | Payment (per year) |
| AB | Alberta Child and Family Benefit | Up to $1,469 for one child Up to $2,204 for two children Up to $2,939 for three children Up to $3,674 for four (or more) children |
| BC | BC Child Opportunity Benefit | Up to $2,188 for the first child Up to $1,375 for the second child Up to $1,125 for each additional child |
| MB | Manitoba Child Benefit | Up to $420 for one child Up to 840 for two children Up to $1,260 for three children Up to $1,680 for four children Up to $2,100 for five children Up to $2,520 for six children |
| NB | New Brunswick child tax benefit New Brunswick Working income supplement (NBWIS) New Brunswick school supplement (NBSS) | Up to $250 for each child Up to $250 Up to $100 for each child |
| NL | Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit | Up to $1,825.92 for the first child Up to $1,935.96 for the second child Up to $2,079 for the third child Up to $2,233.92 for each additional child Mother Baby Nutrition Supplement Up to $1,800 for newborn children under 12 months old |
| NT | Northwest Territories Child Benefit | Children under the age of 6: Up to $814.91 for one child Up to $1,467 for two children Up to $1,996.92 for three children Up to $2,445 for four children Up to $366.96 for each additional child Children aged 6 to 17: Up to $651.96 for one child Up to $1,173.96 for two children Up to $1,596.96 for three children Up to $1,956 for four children Up to $292.92 for each additional child |
| NS | Nova Scotia Child Benefit | Up to $1,524.96 for each child |
| NU | Nunavut child benefit Territorial Worker’s Supplement | Up to $346.92 per child Up to $288.96 for one child Up to $367.92 for two or more children |
| ON | Ontario Child Benefit | Up to $1,607 for each child |
| PEI | Prince Edward Island Sales Tax Credit | Up to $220 for each family |
| QC | Quebec Family Allowance | Up to $2,782 for each child Single parent? Add up to $976 to each amount |
| SK | Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit | Up to $150 per child (maximum of 2 children) or an annual credit of up to $998 for each family |
| YT | Yukon Child Benefit | Up to $876 for each child |
How can I maximize my Canada Child Benefit?
One of the best ways to increase your child tax benefit is to find ways to maximize your tax return, as the benefit amount is dependant on your income. That is, to reduce your tax burden with legitimate deductions and deferrals.
Make sure you’re receiving all of the allowable deductions for your dependents (your children) from nurseries, daycare, summer camps, private and boarding school fees, child fitness fees, medical fees not covered by health care plans, etc.
Furthermore, please ensure that you’re claiming all allowable deductions for yourself, too. Speaking with a certified accountant can help you truly maximize your tax return, so if you’ve never done that, perhaps consider it for the next tax year.
You can use your child tax benefit to get a cash advance loan
The CCB qualifies as income and many lenders will include it in your overall income calculation when you apply for a cash advance loan.
For more information on how to get a cash advance from a lender you can trust, read more, or apply for a personal loan with Spring now.
