Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Guide: Eligibility, Application, Calculation, and Provincial Stacking (2025)

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is the federal government’s flagship tax-free monthly payment to help families with the cost of raising children under 18. Updated annually for inflation, the CCB is income-tested and can be stacked with provincial/territorial child and family benefits for even greater support. This in-depth guide covers eligibility, step-by-step application and claim process, calculation examples, documentation, audit risk, interaction with provincial programs, practical scenarios, and a detailed FAQ to help you maximize your family’s benefits in 2025 and beyond.

What is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?

The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment from the Government of Canada for eligible families with children under 18. It is designed to reduce child poverty and help cover the cost of raising children. Payments are made directly to the primary caregiver, usually the parent who is primarily responsible for the child's care and upbringing. The CCB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and is income-tested based on your family net income from the prior tax year.

CCB amounts are adjusted annually for inflation
Includes supplements for children with disabilities (Child Disability Benefit)
Additional provincial/territorial benefits are often paid with the CCB
Tax-free: Does not count as taxable income or affect most other benefits

Eligibility: Who Qualifies for the CCB?

Must live with a child under age 18
Must be the primary caregiver (responsible for care/upbringing)
Must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes
You or your spouse/partner must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, temporary resident (who has lived in Canada for 18+ months), or an Indigenous person meeting specific criteria

Special cases: Shared custody (each parent may get 50%), newcomers (apply after arrival), foster parents (not normally eligible), kinship care arrangements (review with CRA).

To receive the CCB, both parents (if applicable) must file an annual tax return every year, even if there is no income.

How to Apply for the CCB: Step-by-Step

File your tax return every year (both you and your spouse/partner, if applicable). The CCB is calculated automatically based on your tax return and that of your spouse/partner.
For new parents or new residents:
- Apply online via CRA My Account (CRA CCB Application)
- Or complete and mail Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application)
Provide supporting documents as required:
- Proof of birth (for newborns if not registered through Vital Statistics)
- Immigration/citizenship documents (for newcomers)
- Custody documents (for split custody or special cases)
Check your status on CRA My Account or by calling 1-800-387-1193 (CCB line).

Tip: You can also apply for the CCB when registering a birth in most provinces/territories ("Automated Benefits Application").

CCB Calculation: How Much Will You Get?

The CCB is income-tested and depends on:

Number and ages of children
Family net income (from line 23600 of your tax return)
Whether your child qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

2024-2025 CCB Maximums:

$7,787/year ($649.00/month) for each child under 6
$6,570/year ($547.50/month) for each child age 6–17
Child Disability Benefit (CDB): up to $3,173/year per eligible child (approx. $264/month)

Reductions: Benefits are reduced as family net income exceeds approx. $35,000 (2024–25). Reduction rates increase for higher incomes.

Calculation Example 1: Family with two children under 6 and net income of $30,000 receives the full CCB: 2 x $7,787 = $15,574/year ($1,297.83/month).

Calculation Example 2: Family with one child age 8, net income $60,000:

Base: $6,570/year
Reduction: ($60,000 - $35,000) x 7% = $1,750
Net CCB: $6,570 - $1,750 = $4,820/year ($401.67/month)

Online Calculator: Use the CRA Child and Family Benefits Calculator for a precise estimate.

Provincial & Territorial Child Benefits: Stacking with the CCB

Most provinces and territories offer additional child/family benefits which are paid together with the CCB by CRA. These include:

Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)
Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
BC Family Benefit
Quebec Family Allowance (paid separately by Retraite Québec)
Manitoba Child Benefit (MCB)
And more for other provinces/territories

Eligibility, amounts, and interaction rules vary. You can claim both the CCB and your provincial/territorial benefit. See your province’s individual tax credits page for details:

Practical Scenarios: Maximizing Your CCB

Scenario 1: Newcomer Family with Two Children (Ages 3 and 7)
The family arrives in Canada in May 2024. Both parents become residents and file their first Canadian tax returns in Spring 2025. They apply for the CCB via CRA My Account, providing immigration documents and proof of residency. Their CCB begins retroactively from the month they arrived and continues monthly, based on their family net income. They also receive the BC Family Benefit as residents of British Columbia.

Scenario 2: Split Custody (Shared Parenting)
Two separated parents share custody of one child equally (50/50). Both parents file their tax returns and apply for the CCB, indicating shared custody. Each receives 50% of the CCB payment for the child. If one parent moves, they must update the CRA to recalculate eligibility/payment.

Scenario 3: Child with Disability
A family with a child who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) submits Form T2201. In addition to the regular CCB, they receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) supplement of up to $3,173/year.

Audit Risk, Common Errors, and Documentation Best Practices

Audit/review triggers: Sudden custody changes, unreported marital status changes, conflicting address information, or missing tax returns.
Common errors: Forgetting to file annual tax returns (causes CCB to be stopped), not updating marital status, not reporting shared custody, providing incomplete documentation for new claims.
Best practices:
- Always file your (and your spouse/partner's) tax return each year, even with no income.
- Report any changes in custody, marital status, or address to CRA promptly.
- Keep all tax returns, birth certificates, immigration documents, and custody agreements for at least 6 years.
- Respond to CRA review/audit letters quickly and provide all requested documentation.

FAQ: Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

How do I check my CCB application status?

Log in to your CRA My Account or call the CCB line at 1-800-387-1193. Processing can take up to 8 weeks for new applications or after major changes.

Can I get the CCB retroactively if I forgot to apply?

Yes, you can request retroactive payments for up to 10 previous years if you were eligible, provided you file all required past tax returns and submit documentation (proof of residency, child, custody).

Do both parents need to file returns for CCB?

Yes. Both you and your spouse/partner (if applicable) must file a tax return every year, even with zero income, for the CCB to continue without interruption.

What if my marital status changes?

You must update CRA immediately. Your CCB may change based on new family net income and number of children for whom you are the primary caregiver. Changes take effect the month after you notify CRA.

Is the CCB taxable? Does it affect other benefits?

No, the CCB is fully tax-free and does not count as income for tax or most other government benefits. However, some provincial/municipal programs may consider CCB amounts for means-testing—check with your local agency.

Can I get the CCB if I move provinces?

Yes. Update your address with CRA. Your CCB will continue based on your new province of residence, and you may qualify for a different provincial child benefit or supplement.

How do I stack the CCB with provincial benefits?

CRA will generally pay both the CCB and your province/territory’s child/family benefit together (except Quebec). You do not need to complete a separate application for the provincial benefit, unless you live in Quebec or your province requires additional forms.

What documents should I keep for CCB audit/review?

Keep copies of your tax returns, birth certificates, proof of residency, custody orders/agreements, and any correspondence with CRA for at least 6 years.

Related Guides & Provincial Child Benefit Pages

For a full directory of federal and provincial child and family benefits, visit your province’s individual tax credits page or the Canada-Wide Individual Tax Credits guide.