Canada Child Benefit guide

Payment amounts depend on your adjusted family net income, the number of children you have, and each child's age (under 6 vs. 6 to 17). Higher income reduces the payment. The CRA recalculates each July using your prior-year tax return.

CCB amounts use adjusted family net income (AFNI). Confirm the official CRA calculation for your household.

Published maximums are shown above for each benefit year. Your personal amount depends on income, family size, and child ages. Use the official CRA page for thresholds, examples, and your exact payment.

1. 1

   Prepare your identification

   A child’s SIN is not required for CCB. Normally provide your SIN and your spouse’s or common-law partner’s SIN. If Service Canada will not issue one, attach a note explaining why and a copy of an accepted identity document to Form RC66. A settlement worker can help.

2. 2

   Register the birth or gather proof

   For a child’s first benefit application online or by mail, provide proof of birth. Birth registration can securely share this proof with CRA where that application option is offered.

   Birth registration and child benefits (CRA)
3. 3

   Apply through CRA channels

   Apply through birth registration where available, your CRA account, or by mailing Form RC66 with the required documents to your tax centre. Follow the official application instructions.

   How to apply (CRA)
4. 4

   Newcomers: Form RC66

   If you are new to Canada and have not yet filed a tax return, you may need Form RC66 and Schedule RC66SCH to register your children and apply for child and family benefits.

   Form RC66 (CRA)

Many eligible families miss CCB payments in their first year because the RC66 path is separate from filing a tax return. These are the usual gates:

• Prepare the applicant’s and partner’s SINs, or use the RC66 explanation-and-identity-document route if Service Canada will not issue a SIN.
• File Form RC66 (and RC66SCH if required) when you become a resident of Canada with children, even before your first tax return.
• Have proof of birth or immigration status for each child, proof of residency, and direct deposit banking details ready.
• Earlier eligible periods may be considered. For a period that started more than 11 months ago, CRA requires additional evidence of status, residence and care of the child.

You cannot receive CCB payments before the child is born or placed for adoption. You can plan ahead by learning your province's birth registration process and the CRA steps for child benefits so you apply promptly after the birth.

CCB amounts are tied to your family's tax information. Missing returns can stop or reduce payments even if you previously qualified.

• File a federal tax return every year, even with low or no income, so the CRA can renew your benefit.
• Keep filing annually to maintain payments. Eleven months is not a universal backdating limit: older eligible periods require additional supporting documents.

Do I need to file taxes to get the CCB?

Newcomers can apply before their first Canadian tax return using RC66 and RC66SCH when required. Include the requested income information, including income earned outside Canada. You and your spouse or common-law partner must then file annually to keep payments.

I am on a work or study permit. When can I apply?

Temporary residents may qualify after 18 months in Canada with a valid permit in the 19th month. Citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons may qualify sooner. Confirm your status rules on canada.ca.

Can I get payments for months before I applied?

CRA may consider earlier eligible periods. If the period began more than 11 months ago, provide the additional documents listed in the official application instructions. Apply promptly; eligibility and evidence determine which months CRA can pay.

Where do I find the current payment amounts?

Use the official CRA page on how much you could receive. Amounts change each July 1 and depend on your income and the number and ages of your children.

• Canada Child Benefit overview (CRA)
• How much you could get (CRA)
• How to apply (CRA)
• Birth registration and child benefits (CRA)
• Form RC66 (CRA)