The Canada Child Benefit is a monthly tax-free benefit available to eligible families with children under the age of 18. Its name has changed over the years, and it’s often still referred to by many as the “Child Tax Benefit.”
The CCB is aimed at eradicating child poverty in Canada. It is unique in that the benefits received are not considered taxable income.
This means that the families benefitting from the program will not lose other income-tested benefits such as the GST/HST credit and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Below I cover the CCB payment dates in 2023 and everything you need to know about the Canada Child Benefit.
Canada Child Benefit Dates 2023
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will send Canada Child Benefit payments for 2023 on the following dates:
| CCB payment month | CCB payment dates 2023 |
| January | January 20, 2023 |
| February | February 20, 2023 |
| March | March 20, 2023 |
| April | April 20, 2023 |
| May | May 19, 2023 |
| June | June 20, 2023 |
| July | July 20, 2023 |
| August | August 18, 2023 |
| September | September 20, 2023 |
| October | October 20, 2023 |
| November | November 20, 2023 |
| December | December 13, 2023 |
Payments are made directly to the bank account you register with CRA.
While payments are generally made by the 20th of the month, you should wait about a week or so before contacting CRA if you haven’t yet received the benefit.
Canada Child Benefit Amount
For July 2023 to June 2024 payment cycle, the CCB provides a maximum annual benefit of $7,437 for each child under the age of 6 and up to $6,275 per year for each child between the age of 6 and 17.
What is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?
The CCB is a tax-free benefit available to eligible families. The amount you receive is dependent on:
- The number of children who live with you and their ages.
- Your adjusted family net income.
- Your child’s eligibility for the child disability benefit.
- Your marital status.
- Your province of residence and whether you qualify for other provincial child benefits that are administered by the CRA and combined with your CCB.
The CCB payment period runs from July to June, and the amount you receive is based on your income tax return for the previous year.
For example, CCB payment amounts for July 2023 to June 2024 payment cycle are based on your family’s net income for the 2022 tax year.
Starting in July 2024, your net income in 2023 will be used to calculate your CCB benefit eligibility.
To continue receiving the CCB, you and your spouse must file an income tax return every year, even if you have not earned taxable income during the year.
How To Apply for the CCB
You may be eligible to apply for the CCB if you are directly responsible for a child who is a minor (under age 18) and live with them. You must also be a resident of Canada for tax purposes. The female parent is typically considered the primary caregiver.
Automatic application for the CCB occurs when you register the birth of your child with your province.
Alternatively, you can register via CRA My Account or complete Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application.
Newcomers who come to Canada with kids born abroad can complete Form RC66 and mail it to the tax centre closest to them (there are centres in Winnipeg, Sudbury, and Quebec).
You must provide proof of birth, e.g. a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card, and complete the form Schedule RC66SCH, Status in Canada/Statement of Income.
It may take up to 11 weeks for your CCB application to go through.
If you have questions about your CCB application, reach out to the CRA via its Canada Child Benefits phone at 1-800-387-1193.
If you live in the Yukon, Nunavut, or the Northwest Territories, the number to call is 1-866-426-1527.
Canada Child Benefit Calculation: How Much CCB Will You Get?
The government has a child and family benefits calculator (CCB payment calculator) you can use to estimate your monthly payments.
For July 2023 to June 2024 payment period, the following maximum benefits apply:
- Children under 6: $7,437 or $619.75 per month
- Children between 6 and 17: $6,275 or $522.91 per month
As your adjusted family net income (AFNI) increases, the amount of CCB you get reduces. The phase-out rate starts at $34,863.
| # of eligible children July 2023 – June 2024) | AFNI over $34,863 and up to $75,537 | AFNI over $75,537 |
| 1 child | 7.0% | 3.2% |
| 2 children | 13.5% | 5.7% |
| 3 children | 19.0% | 8% |
| 4 or more children | 23.0% | 9.5% |
To see how the phase-out rates work, consider the following example:
A family with a combined net income of $90,000 and 2 kids aged 2 and 3 (both under 6 years) will receive:
- The maximum annual CCB for two children under 6 years is $14,874 (i.e. $7,437 x 2).
- There is a 13.5% phase-out rate for income between $34,863 and $75,537: ($40,674 x 13.5%) = $5,491.
- There is a 5.7% phase-out rate for income between $75,537 and $90,000: ($14,463 x 5.7%) = $824.39
- The total reduction amount: ($5,491 + $824.39) = $6,315.39
Total CCB received = maximum annual CCB – reduction amount
- Total CCB = ($14,874 – $6,315.39)
- Total CCB received = $8,558.61 or $713.22 per month.
A family that is eligible for the CCB may also qualify for the Child Disability Benefit, which provides up to $3,173 per year (or $264.41 per month) per eligible child.
Provincial Child Benefit Programs and the CCB
Some provincial child benefit programs are administered by the CRA and are combined with CCB payments, including:
- New Brunswick Child tax benefit
- Newfoundland and Labrador child benefit
- Northwest Territories child benefit
- Nova Scotia child benefit
- Nunavut child benefit
- Yukon child benefit
- BC early childhood tax benefit
- Ontario child benefit
The Alberta Child Benefit and Alberta Family Employment tax credits have been combined and are now called the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB). This benefit is paid out separately from the CCB.
Quebec offers a Family Allowance payment via Retraite Quebec.
Other child benefits available in Quebec include the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care and Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies.
CCB Increase in 2023
CCB payments increased in July 2023 to keep up with inflation. Another increase is slated for July 2024.
The maximum annual CCB benefit for a child under 6 increased to $7,437, and for those aged 6-17, the maximum annual benefit is now $5,903 per child.
This 6.28% increase translates to an extra $440 per child under 6 over the next payment cycle or approximately $36.67 monthly.
This increase extends to 2024 until the current payment cycle ends in June 2024.
Here are some strategies for increasing your CCB and how to invest in your kid’s RESP account.
Will CCB Increase in 2023?
Yes, the Canada Child Benefit increased in 2023 when it was indexed to inflation in July 2023.
Child Disability Benefit Payment Dates
The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is paid to eligible families who have a child under 18 that suffers from a severe and prolonged impairment that limits them physically or mentally.
The maximum Canada Disability Benefit for the period of July 2023 to June 2024 is $264.41 per month or $3,173 per year.
The CDB is included in CCB payments for those who qualify, and payment dates occur on the same dates as the CCB as follows:
- January 20, 2023
- February 20, 2023
- March 20, 2023
- April 20, 2023
- May 19, 2023
- June 20, 2023
- July 20, 2023
- August 18, 2023
- September 20, 2023
- October 20, 2023
- November 20, 2023
- December 13, 2023
Canada Child Benefit FAQ
For children under age 6, the current maximum monthly benefit is $619.75 per child. For children older than 6 through 17, the maximum monthly benefit is $522.91 per child. Families with a net income below $34,863 will receive the maximum benefit.
No, the Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free benefit and does not count toward your taxable income when you file your income tax return.
Yes. The CCB increased in July 2023, and this increase will be reflected in all payments during the cycle that runs from July 2023 to June 2024.
How much you receive depends on your family’s net income for the previous year, the age and number of your children, and your province of residence.
Child benefits stop when your child turns 18, or your family’s net income exceeds the maximum threshold.
If the CRA pays you too much CCB, they will let you know how much was overpaid, and the excess amount may be deducted from your future CCB payments, income tax refund, or GST/HST credit.
You could get up to an extra $440 per child under the age of six in the 2023-2024 payment period.
Related: Ontario Trillium Benefit Dates.
A child becomes the age of 6 on 27July 2020. What maximum benefit amount ($6,765 or $5,708) will be used to calculate the CCB for July 2020.
@Louis: I think it will initially be based on the $6,765 amount.
If you read this please provide feedback on what it actually was…I am interested in how CRA does the calculation when the kid turns 6 just a few days before the new payment regime starts.
The CRA issues the benefit for children ages 0-6 until the month before the Childs birthday (ex if a child is turning 6 years old in July 2020 the rate for 0-6 will apply until June and the new rate for older than 6 through 17 will take effect in July 2020
I hope that helps you understand better 🙂
Respect.
Can I apply for child benefit, my children were not born in Canada and I do not have PR status?
Regards
Can a single father who doesn’t have PR status yet able to obtain CCB for his 2 children born in Ontario?
@A.C. I believe you can apply if you have a valid visa (student or work visa).
when is the 1200 extra per child ages 6 and under for 2021 going to be paid? i thought it was suppose to be 300 quarterly but nothing has been given as of yet and it is nearing end of April 2021
also have this question
My son just turned 6years old on April 20th,and my 2019-2020 income tax was done. Will we be eligible for the $1200 from CCB??
My child was born April 16 which is 4 days before payments are made. Of course I didn’t get it yet but I’m wondering if I’ll be paid for April.
What if our income taxes are not completed yet will I still receive my family allowance for july 2021 ?
@Charity: It may be delayed until you file your 2020 taxes.
Oh and will I get the 1200 ccb also ?
Will the payments automatically stop when my child turns 18?
@Debbie: Child benefits stop when your child turns 18 or when your family’s net income exceeds the maximum threshold
If a child was born June 2021 will it be reflected in 2021 payments or not until reassessment done July 2022
I’ve applied for CCB 2 months after my twins were born in July 2019. I was on mat leave then and now I am an unemployed stay-at-home mom. CRA finally calculated my family net income and they start paying me in June 2020. Will I get anything from July 2019 to December 2019?
@Kheelar: Normally you should unless your family income exceeds the maximum threshold. Best to reach out to the CRA at CRA at 1-800-387-1193 to see what is going on.
If I missed my last payment because I hadn’t yet filed my 2020 taxes will my next payment be double ? Or when will I receive my missed payment ?
My child was born on June 30th, 2021. Will she be entitled to get the CCBYCS for July and October?
@Tashina: Yes, she would be entitled to it if you meet the income test.
i haven’t received my child tax’s yesterday or today, but will i still receive it a few days later or ?
I was super late filing my taxes, and getting back paid baby bonus on November. Will I get back pay on the $300 a month for the extra ccb?
@Amanda: I’m not sure whether back pay is possible on the extra CCB. I’d suggest giving them a call to make a claim for it.
If I had to verify my identity for the emergency caregiver support benefits will I have to wait for the child tax benefit as well
My son was born August 31st so wondering if I’d get child tax for the month of August or no because he was born on the last day of the month.?
Hi, my son turned 18 in October 2021. He did not graduate High School this year because of COVID and mental health problems. He is still in school full-time. Can we apply for CCB for this year?
@Heide: Sorry to hear and I hope things get better for him. Unfortunately, CCB is only available to children under age 18, so I would assume that his monthly payments will stop.
Hi Amanda! I also filed my taxes super late. Did you find out if you got back paid for the ccbycs?
We came to Canada 2019 May under work visa and applied for CCB after 19 months. However, we received only for Dec 2020 to Dec 2021. I am wondering why my kids were not paid at least July 2020. Can you please give me any hint.
Thanks
@Priya: Not sure if this applies to you, but one of the conditions for the CCB is “a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month other than one that states “does not confer status” or “does not confer temporary resident status”. Also, when did you become a “resident for tax purposes”? I would suggest giving them a call to find out as mistakes do happen and you could get a payment of any outstanding benefits if this is the case.
is there any benifits happening for The payments for the CCB young child supplement 2022 this year?? wondering cause i had a message was confused.
Is the young child benefit continuing into 2022 will I get it end of January 2022 or are they not doing it anymore?
@Kendra: Looks like it is just for 2021 (haven’t seen any info from the feds to the contrary).
My child will be 18 on February 17.
Do I still receive the CCB for February, or my last payment is January?
I am also wondering like the other two people who have inquired –
if we will receive the CTB on June 20th as my daughter turns 18 on the 13th?
If my child is born on June 27th would he qualify for June ccb or July ?
@Ness: As per Service Canada, “You are eligible to receive the CCB in the month following the month you become an eligible individual.”
This means that he would qualify starting in July.
Hi I’m waiting to get my first payment but it’s gone be for mail how much time i have to wait? It’s gone came on 20 June? Or its longer time ? Thanks
Hi Enoch, Thanks for your work! I really appreciate it as I walk with a number of new Canadians. I have a friend who has a 17 year old son. Both adults are on disability (ODSP) and the son turned 17 on May 4 of this year. I had read that the Child Benefit continues until December of the year he turns 18. Is that correct, or is his last payment the month he turns 18? Thanks
@Ron: My understanding is that it stops the month the child turns 18. That said, I could not find a specific reference to this on the govt’s website.
How to apply for child disabiry payment? My son has autism
@JJ Smith: If your child is eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC) and Canada Child Benefit, they automatically receive the Child Disability Benefit. You can call 1-800-959-8281 for information related to the DTC, or 1-800-387-1193 for information relating to the CDB.
Hi there,
Is the CCB paid for the month received or for the following month?
I cant find this on any government sites. I always thought January payment was for February month.
@Eagle: CCB is paid for the month it is received.
I arrived in Canada January 2019 with two daughters (4 and 10 years old) and my wife as refugees. However we were accepted as permanent residents in March 2023. we never received any nor did we ever apply for CCB i am now thinking about applying will the children be paid from the time we arrive in canada?
@Bem: If you filed tax returns for those years, you might be able to receive retroactive payments. Best to visit a Service Canada location to determine your best line of action.