Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Payment Dates and Amounts (2024)

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly benefit designed to support low and middle-income families in Canada and eradicate child poverty.

Administered by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), the CCB payment dates typically fall between the 18th and 20th of each month, except for December, when it is paid earlier on the 13th.

Whether you rely on this benefit to cover essential expenses or to plan for your family’s future, staying informed about the payment schedule and the benefit amounts is essential. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of the CCB payment dates, provide a thorough description of the program, including benefit amounts and eligibility requirements, and guide you through the application process.

Canada Child Benefit Dates 2024

The CRA will remit the CCB payments to eligible families on the CCB payment schedule. Here are the CCB payment dates for 2024:

You may also receive the CCB payments in one lump sum if your annual CCB amount is below $240. 

However, if you don’t receive the CCB benefits on the scheduled Canada Child Benefit payment dates, wait for five business days, and contact CRA using the Canada Child Benefit phone number.

What is CCB?

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to reduce child poverty and help them with the costs of raising children under 18 years of age.

CCB was introduced in the 2016 Federal Budget. The Canada Child Benefit came into being, replacing the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) and the Universal Child Tax Benefit (UCCB).

Eligible families receive the CCB payment each month and do not have to pay taxes on it nor include it on their income tax and benefit return.

Also, CCB does not disqualify you from benefiting from other federal benefits like GST/HST credit and even other provincial programs like OCB, ACFB, BC Childcare benefits, etc.

How Much is Child Benefit in Canada?

During the payment cycle from July 2023 to June 2024, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) offers a maximum annual benefit of $7,437 ($619.75 per month) for each child under the age of 6. Additionally, for children between the ages of 6 and 17, the CCB provides up to $6,275 per year ($522.91 per month).

Canada Child Benefit Eligibility Requirements

Not every Canadian can receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments. To qualify for the CCB, you must meet specific criteria.

One of the key requirements is residency. You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes, which includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents who have lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, protected persons, or indigenous persons.

In addition to residency, you need to live with a child under 18 years of age. This means that the child must be a resident of Canada as well.

Also, you must have primary responsibility for the child’s care and upbringing. This means you should be considered “primarily responsible” for raising your child. Being primarily responsible entails various aspects such as supervising the child’s everyday activities, meeting their daily needs, taking care of any medical needs they may have, and arranging childcare when necessary.

It’s important to note that only one parent can apply for the CCB, and the decision on which parent applies depends on your own family situation. This means that if you have joint custody, you’ll need to determine which parent will apply for the benefit.

What Happens If I Share Custody?

If you have a custody arrangement, this could affect your childcare benefits. This will depend on who has primary responsibility and if your child’s time is shared mostly with you, mostly with the other parent, or shared equally.

How to Apply for CCB

You have several options to apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). You can apply at the same time you register the birth of your baby with the province or territory, or you can apply afterwards using your CRA online account. Another option is to download and complete Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, and return it by mail along with any additional required documents and forms.

When you have a newborn child, you can apply for the CCB while registering them in your province or territory. This process is typically handled at a birthing centre or hospital. However, if you reside in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, or Quebec, you can register online.

During the birth registration, it’s important to provide your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and consent for sharing your information with the CRA. You must explore other application methods if you didn’t apply for the CCB during the birth registration.

If you didn’t apply for the CCB during the birth registration or through your CRA online account, you can still apply using your CRA My Account. Follow these steps to apply:

Visit your CRA My Account and navigate to the “Apply for child benefits” section. Confirm the accuracy of your contact information. Provide the name, gender, place, and date of birth of your child. Double-check all the information before submitting your application.

Alternatively, if you prefer to apply through the mail, follow these steps:

Complete Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, and sign it. Gather all the required documents. Send the application to your designated tax centre.

After applying, your CCB payments will commence within eight weeks of the government receiving your online application or within 11 weeks if you submit a paper application by mail. Payments will continue until your child turns 18 or if your net family income exceeds $120,000.

How Much CCB Will I Get?

How much you can receive from the CRA as your Canada Child Benefit payment depends on several factors, such as the number of eligible children you have, your marital status, whether your child lives with you full or part-time, and your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI).

Each July, your payments are recalculated to account for inflation and any changes in your AFNI. AFNI is determined by calculating your total family income, subtracting several tax credits from this amount, and then dividing it by the number of family members in your household.

If there is no change in your AFNI, then the amount you receive this July will be the same as last July: nice and easy! 

For example, if there is a change in your income level for the year 2023, it will show up in your payments beginning in July 2024.

For July 2023 to June 2024 payment period, you could receive a maximum of the following:

• $7,437 per year ($619.75 per month) for each eligible child under the age of 6
• $6,275 per year ($522.91 per month) for each eligible child aged 6 to 17

Also, you can use the CRA’s Canada Child Benefit calculator to understand your payments. That way, you can spend less time worrying about money and more time doing what you love.

With the CCB calculator, you enter basic information about your kids and your family situation, and the calculator tells you exactly how much CCB to expect each month.

Ultimately, based on those factors, you may receive lower or higher CCB payments. However, it’s important to remember that your CCB payments will reduce as the adjusted net income of your family increases.

This is so because the CCB aims to help families with low and moderate incomes in Canada. So the more you shift away from the low-medium income bracket, the less the CCB favours you.

If you have yet to receive your CCB payment five working days after the scheduled dates, you should contact the CRA.

Furthermore, ensure to inform the CRA about any changes in your situation. If you refuse to report recent changes to the CRA, your payments may stop.

CCB Increase 2024

The CCB is increased annually to keep up with the rising inflation index and offset the high costs of raising children in Canada.

For July 2023, families with children under six got an increase to $6,997 annually. On the other hand, families with children between 6 to 17 years got an increase to $5,903 annually.

This increase extends to the first half of 2024. The next increase is slated for July 2024.

What is a CCB Notice?

A CCB notice refers to a communication sent by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) to eligible individuals for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). This notice provides important information regarding the CCB, including details about the benefit amount, payment schedule, and any changes or updates related to the benefit.

The CCB notice typically includes the specific amount of CCB payments that will be received during the upcoming year and the payment dates for each instalment. It serves as a notification to recipients about the financial support they will receive to assist with the costs of raising their children.

What is the CCB Young Child Supplement?

The CCB Young Child Supplement (CCBYCS), also called the Canada Child Benefit Extra Payment, is a part of the federal government’s child tax benefits increase in 2021. The program ended in December 2021 and is no longer available. 

The federal government earmarked about $2 billion in May 2020 for the Child Tax Benefit increase in 2021, leading to a $300 CCB increase for each eligible child to curb the rising inflation index caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-medium-income Canadian families.

With the (CCBYCS), Canadian families with less than $120,000 net income received up to $1,200 for each child under six. Accordingly, each eligible child received up to $300 four times in 2021.

However, high-income families got $600 in CCBYCS, which amounts to a $150 payment per eligible child four times in 2021.

The CCBYCS doesn’t require an application. Once you’re a CCB beneficiary and have filed your 2019 and 2020 tax returns, you will receive them.

Furthermore, CCBYCS is non-taxable, and this increase went a long way in helping many Canadian families offset the increasing cost of raising their children during those hard and uncertain times.

The CCBYCS payment dates are as follows: 

• May 28, 2021
• July 30, 2021
• October 29, 2021

Provincial Child Benefits Programs in Canada

In addition to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), other child benefit payments are funded by provincial governments and administered by the CRA. These benefits are combined with the CCB payments, which means that once you qualify, you can receive multiple benefits.

Here are some examples of provincial/territorial programs that are administered in conjunction with the CCB:

• NBCTB – New Brunswick Child tax benefit
• NSCB – Nova Scotia Child Benefit
• NLCB – Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit
• NCB – Nunavut child benefit
• NTCB – Northwest Territories child benefit
• OCB – Ontario Child Benefit
• BCECTB – BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit
• YCB – Yukon Child Benefit

These provincial or territorial programs do not require an application. When you apply for the CCB, the CRA determines your eligibility for the provincial child benefits based on your residency,

However, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is administered separately from the CCB, and the province of Saskatchewan has no child benefit program as of 2022.

Furthermore, your CCB payment may include a child disability benefit if your child qualifies for the disability tax credit.

Accordingly, each of your children eligible for the disability tax credit may receive $242.91 monthly from July 2021 to June 2022.

Final Thoughts on the CCB Payment Dates

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is available to all parents in Canada, but eligibility is required to apply. You can apply online or by mail if you have children under 18 and meet the necessary criteria. It’s important to consider other government benefits and programs that can assist with the cost of raising children.

Filing your tax return on time yearly is crucial to continue receiving the CCB and related provincial/territorial payments. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, their tax returns must also be filed promptly.

To understand your CCB calculations, you can use the Government of Canada’s CCB calculator online. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from an advisor regarding government rebates, tax credits, or other family benefits to ensure you claim everything you’re entitled to.

The CCB payment is non-taxable, providing flexibility in spending. However, investing in long-lasting returns is wise, such as contributing to a registered education savings plan (RESP) for your child’s future education.

Notify the CRA promptly if there are any changes in your situation, as failing to do so may result in payment discontinuation. Changes can include personal information updates, address changes, marital status changes, custody changes, etc.

Ensure any investment aligns with your risk tolerance and investment objectives before proceeding. RESP options cover various investment choices, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, and GICs.

Taking proactive steps, being informed, and planning wisely with the CCB payment can contribute to securing your child’s future and providing them with educational opportunities.

FAQs on CCB Payment Dates

What was the Canada Child Benefit Called Before?

It was called the Canada Child Tax Benefit. It ended in 2016 and was replaced by the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), a tax-free payment targeting low- and middle-income families.

Why Didn’t I Get My CCB Payment?

There are several reasons why your Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments may have stopped. These include failure to file your tax return, not responding to CRA inquiries, and neglecting to update your bank account or address information.

Why Did My CCB Go Down?

Your CCB payment may change due to changes in family net income (recalculated annually in July based on the previous year’s income and inflation), marital status changes, and the number of children in your care.

What Is the Canada Revenue Agency?

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is a federal agency that receives taxes and administers tax laws for the Canadian government and many of Canada’s provinces and territories. The Canada Revenue Agency, also known as Agence du Revenu du Canada, is also in charge of various social and economic benefit and incentive programs via the tax system, alongside international trade legislation.

What Other Children’s Benefits Do We Have in Canada?

Canada has the affordable childcare benefit of British Columbia and the Ontario baby bonus you can also get.