Canadian parents can get up to $648 next week from this January child benefit payment
Hey Canadian parents, here's some good news to kick off your week! The January Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment is dropping into bank accounts soon, giving families a much-needed financial lift to tackle the costs of raising kids.
This tax-free monthly payment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is aimed at helping Canadian parents manage child-related expenses. It's one of the many government payments lined up for January to ease the strain on family budgets.
From who's eligible to how much you can get, here's everything you need to know about the Canada Child Benefit payment for January 2025.
What is the Canada Child Benefit?
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment designed to help parents cover the costs of raising kids under 18. Launched in 2016 as a replacement for the Universal Child Care Benefit, the CCB provides crucial support for families across Canada.
Depending on your circumstances, your monthly payment could also include additional funds through the Child Disability Benefit or other provincial and territorial programs you may be eligible for.
Who is eligible for the Canada Child Benefit?
To qualify for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), you or your spouse must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes and be either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, temporary resident or someone registered under the Indian Act. You also need to live with the child and act as their primary caregiver.
Although your family income affects how much you'll receive, the CCB isn't exclusively for low-income families — there's no specific income cutoff to qualify.
How to apply for the Canada Child Benefit
Good news, new parents — applying for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is super straightforward!
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recommends applying as soon as any of these situations apply: you've had a baby, a child begins living with you, you gain custody of a child, or there's a change in your custody arrangements.
When you apply, the CRA automatically checks if you're eligible for additional provincial or territorial benefits. You can apply while registering your newborn's birth or later through My Account online or by mail.
If you're registering your child's birth, just include your social insurance number (SIN) and agree to share your information with the CRA. This way, you'll automatically be considered for the CCB. If you'd prefer not to share your information at that time, you'll need to apply separately.
For online applications, log into My Account and select the "Apply for child benefits" option. If applying by mail, fill out Form RC66 and send it to your tax office.
How much is the Canada Child Benefit?
The amount you'll receive from the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) depends on several factors, including how many children you have, their ages, your marital status and your adjusted family net income (AFNI) from the previous year.
For the payment period from July 2024 to June 2025 — which is based on your 2023 income — families with an AFNI under $36,502 are eligible for the maximum payment: $7,787 annually ($648.91 per month) for kids under six and $6,570 annually ($547.50 per month) for children aged 6 to 17.
For families with higher incomes, the benefit decreases gradually. Payments are recalculated every July, so any changes to your income in 2024 (plus the yearly increase for inflation) will be reflected in your payments starting this summer.
Don't forget — both you and your spouse need to file a tax return every year to keep receiving the benefit, even if you didn't earn income or your income isn't taxable.
Canada Child Benefit calculator
Looking for a more precise idea of how much you could receive from the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)? The CRA offers an online CCB payment calculator. It's an easy tool to check your eligibility and estimate your monthly payment.
Is the Canada Child Benefit taxable?
Good news — the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is completely tax-free! You don't need to report it as income on your tax return, meaning families can enjoy the full benefit amount without worrying about it adding to their tax burden.
When are the Canada Child Benefit payment dates?
The next Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment date is on Monday, January 20.
Beyond that, here are the other remaining CCB payment dates for the current benefit year:
- February 20, 2025
- March 20, 2025
- April 17, 2025
- May 20, 2025
- June 20, 2025
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