How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment to families with children under 18 — up to about $648 per child per year for the 2025 base period (indexed yearly), reduced as family income rises. Newcomers apply with Form RC66 plus the RC66SCH supplement after 18 months of residency; everyone else applies through CRACanada Revenue Agency — Canada's tax agency. It administers income tax, benefits like the GST/HST credit, and CRA My Account.Click for official info ↗ My Account.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Check eligibility
You must live with the child, be a Canadian citizen, PR, protected person, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for 18+ months with a valid permit in the 19th month. The benefit is income-tested — your family net income from the previous tax year sets the payment amount.
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- Fill / Prepare 20 min
Apply through CRA My Account
Fastest route: sign in to CRACanada Revenue Agency — Canada's tax agency. It administers income tax, benefits like the GST/HST credit, and CRA My Account.Click for official info ↗ My Account and apply under "Child and family benefits". Otherwise, send Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) to the CRACanada Revenue Agency — Canada's tax agency. It administers income tax, benefits like the GST/HST credit, and CRA My Account.Click for official info ↗ tax centre serving your province. Newcomers must also complete schedule RC66SCH with immigration details.
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- Submit & Pay
File your taxes every year
The CCB is recalculated each July from your previous year's tax return — both spouses must file, even with zero income, or payments stop automatically. This catches many newcomers by surprise: no return, no benefit.
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- Wait 8–11 weeks
Wait for the first payment
First payments usually arrive 8–11 weeks after a complete application. Payments are monthly (around the 20th), tax-free, and include provincial child benefits (e.g. Ontario child benefit, Alberta family and employment tax credit) automatically once you are in the system.
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- Follow Up
Keep the CRA updated
Report changes promptly: address moves (payments follow you), marital status changes (affects the calculation significantly), and a child leaving your care. Overpayments are clawed back from future payments.
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- Receive
Check related benefits
Approval for the CCB also opens the door to the GST/HST credit for your children, child disability benefit (if eligible), and provincial benefits. Use the CRACanada Revenue Agency — Canada's tax agency. It administers income tax, benefits like the GST/HST credit, and CRA My Account.Click for official info ↗'s Child and Family Benefits Calculator to estimate your exact payment.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I arrived in Canada 6 months ago on a work permit. Can I get the CCB?
Not yet — temporary residents qualify after 18 months of residency with a valid permit in month 19. Permanent residents and protected persons qualify from the month they arrive, but must file an income tax return for the base year even with no Canadian income.
How much will I actually get?
It depends on family net income and the number/ages of children. Maximum for a child under 6 is about $6,997/year and 6–17 about $5,903/year (2025 amounts, indexed), reduced by a percentage once income exceeds about $36,500. The CRACanada Revenue Agency — Canada's tax agency. It administers income tax, benefits like the GST/HST credit, and CRA My Account.Click for official info ↗ calculator gives exact figures.
My application was denied because of a missing tax return. What now?
File the outstanding return, wait for the Notice of Assessment, then call the CRACanada Revenue Agency — Canada's tax agency. It administers income tax, benefits like the GST/HST credit, and CRA My Account.Click for official info ↗ benefits line (1-800-387-1193) and ask them to reassess the CCB application. This is the single most common reason newcomer applications stall.
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