Canada Learning Bond guide

If your child is eligible, the CLB can include an initial payment and yearly amounts until the benefit year they turn 15.

• $500 in the first eligible year (plus $25 toward the cost of opening the RESP when the initial CLB is paid).
• $100 for each additional eligible year, up to and including the benefit year your child turns 15.
• Lifetime maximum of $2,000 per beneficiary.
• Amounts can accumulate each year of eligibility until December 31 of the year your child turns 15, even before an RESP is opened.

Eligibility is based on the primary caregiver's adjusted family income and the number of qualified children. Adjusted income uses line 23600 of the tax return (with official UCCB/RDSP adjustments described on canada.ca).

The real step many families miss is opening an RESP. The CLB is only paid into an RESP account.

1. 1

   Get Social Insurance Numbers

   You need a SIN for yourself and your child. Applying for a SIN is free.

   Social Insurance Number
2. 2

   Find an RESP promoter that offers the CLB

   Not every financial institution offers the CLB. Use the official Government of Canada list of RESP promoters.

   List of RESP promoters
3. 3

   Open an RESP

   You do not need to contribute your own money. The promoter can help you open the plan and name your child as beneficiary.

4. 4

   Apply through the promoter

   The promoter submits the CLB request. The Canada Revenue Agency determines eligibility from your tax and CCB records. If you qualify, deposits go into the RESP.

   CLB amounts and income thresholds

The CLB can be claimed for past eligible years even if you did not have an RESP open during those years. When you apply, the CRA can deposit accumulated amounts for years your family met the income rules.

• A primary caregiver can request the CLB for an eligible child until the day before the child turns 18.
• Back-pay accrues until December 31 of the year the child turns 15 (lifetime maximum $2,000 per child).

A young person can open their own RESP and request the CLB from age 18 until the day before they turn 21. They can receive $500 plus $100 for each year they were eligible up to age 15, up to $2,000 total.

Budget 2024 legislation would extend the retroactive claim window from age 20 to age 30. That change is not yet in force on current canada.ca consumer pages. Confirm the latest rules on canada.ca before you apply.

Notification letters began in November 2024. Opt-out will be available from 2027. This is intended for children born in 2024 or later who are not named in an RESP by age 4, have a valid SIN, and meet income rules.

• Automatic enrollment does not replace this guide for children born 2004 to 2023, families without SINs, or anyone who needs retroactive claims now. You can still open an RESP at a financial institution today.
• From 2028, eligible children born before January 1, 2024 may be able to request a government-opened RESP. Details are pending on canada.ca.

If the beneficiary does not pursue eligible post-secondary education, the CLB is returned to the Government of Canada. It is education savings, not cash you can spend freely.

Many eligible families never collect the CLB because the steps below are unfamiliar. The quiz cannot open an RESP for you, but these are the usual gates:

• Get SINs for yourself and your child (free through Service Canada).
• File taxes even with low or no income so CRA has your records for the CCB and CLB.
• Register for the Canada Child Benefit when you have a child in Canada.
• Open an RESP with a promoter that offers the CLB (no contribution required).

Do I need to put money into the RESP?

No. Personal contributions are not required to receive the Canada Learning Bond. You still need to open an RESP and apply through a promoter.

Can I get money for years we missed?

Yes. The CLB is retroactive for past eligible years, up to the lifetime maximum and accrual rules on canada.ca. The CRA pays accumulated amounts when your application is approved.

My child is 18 to 20. Can they apply?

Yes. They can open their own RESP and request the CLB until the day before they turn 21 under current law. A legislated extension to age 30 is upcoming but not yet in force.

Will the government open an RESP for us automatically?

Starting around 2028 for some children born in 2024 or later. It does not cover most children already born or retroactive claims today. See the automatic enrollment section above and canada.ca.

• Canada Learning Bond overview (CRA)
• CLB amounts and income thresholds
• List of RESP promoters
• CLB brochure (under 18)
• Automatic enrollment (upcoming)
• Social Insurance Number
• Canada Child Benefit overview