How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment. It goes to families with children under 18. The maximum is $8,157 per child per year for a child under 6. For ages 6–17, it is $6,883. These amounts are for the July 2026–June 2027 benefit year. The payment goes down as family income goes up. Temporary-resident newcomers apply with Form RC66, plus the RC66SCH supplement, after 18 months of residency with a valid permit in the 19th month. Permanent residents and protected persons can apply on arrival (also with Form RC66 + RC66SCH). Everyone else applies through CRACanada Revenue Agency — Canada's tax agency. It administers income tax, benefits like the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit), and CRA My Account.Click for official info ↗ My Account.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- 20 min application; first payment within 8 weeks
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- canada.ca
Last reviewed November 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due May 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(November 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Check eligibility
You must live with the child. You must be a Canadian citizen, a PR, or a protected person. A temporary resident can also qualify. That person must have lived in Canada for 18+ months, with a valid permit in the 19th month. The benefit depends on income. Your family net income from the last tax year sets the payment amount.
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- Fill / Prepare 20 min
Apply through CRA My Account
The fastest route is CRA My Account. Sign in and apply under "Child and family benefits". Or send Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) to the CRA tax centre for your province. Newcomers must also fill in schedule RC66SCH, with their immigration details.
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- Submit & Pay
File your taxes every year
The CRA works out the CCB again each July. It uses your tax return from the previous year. Both spouses must file. This is true even with zero income. If you do not file, payments stop on their own. This catches many newcomers by surprise: no return, no benefit.
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- Wait Within 8 weeks
Wait for the first payment
The first payment usually arrives within 8 weeks of a complete application. Payments are monthly, around the 20th. They are tax-free. Applying for the CCB also covers CRA-administered provincial and territorial programs, with no separate application. For example, the Ontario Child Benefit is paid together with the CCB, while the Alberta Child and Family Benefit is assessed automatically but paid separately each quarter.
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- Follow Up
Keep the CRA updated
Report changes fast. Report a move: your payments follow you. Report a change in marital status: it changes the calculation a lot. Report a child leaving your care. If the CRA overpays you, it takes the money back from your future payments.
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- Receive
Check related benefits
CCB approval also opens the door to other benefits for your children. These include the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit). They include the child disability benefit, if you qualify. And they include provincial benefits. Use the CRA'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. For your first year you can apply with Form RC66 + RC66SCH (Statement of Income) even before your first Canadian tax return. After that, both spouses must file every year, even with no income, or payments stop.
How much will I actually get?
It depends on your family net income. It also depends on how many children you have, and their ages. The maximum for a child under 6 is $8,157/year ($679.75/month). For ages 6–17, it is $6,883/year ($573.58/month). These amounts are for July 2026–June 2027. The payment is reduced by a percentage once your adjusted family net income goes over $38,237. The CRA calculator gives exact figures. The figures for July 2027–June 2028 are not out yet. The CRA recalculates every July, so check its page once the new benefit year starts.
My application was denied because of a missing tax return. What now?
File the missing return. Wait for your Notice of Assessment. Then call the CRA benefits line at 1-800-387-1193. Ask them to look at your CCB application again. This is the single most common reason newcomer applications get stuck.
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