What Is the Canada Child Benefit and How Do Newcomers Apply?

Who is eligible

You must meet all of these conditions:

1. You live with a child who is under 18.
2. You are primarily responsible for the child's care and upbringing — the day-to-day things like meals, clothing, medical appointments, and school.
3. You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
4. You or your spouse/common-law partner is one of: a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person (refugee), a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months with a valid permit in the 19th month, or a person registered (or entitled to be registered) under the Indian Act.

Key newcomer notes: permanent residents are generally eligible immediately upon establishing residency. Temporary residents — including many work- and study-permit holders — must first complete 18 months of residence in Canada.

How much can you get

For the July 2026–June 2027 benefit year, the maximum CCB is up to $8,157 per year for each child under 6, and up to $6,883 per year for each child aged 6 to 17. These maximums apply to families with adjusted family net income below $38,237; above that threshold, the benefit is gradually reduced. An additional supplement exists for children eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.

The payment is entirely tax-free — it is not reported as income and does not reduce other federal benefits. Provincial and territorial child benefits are often calculated automatically alongside the federal CCB and paid as a single combined monthly deposit.

How to apply as a newcomer

There are three ways to apply:

• At birth registration: If your child is born in Canada, the Automated Benefits Application lets you apply for the CCB when you register the birth with your province or territory. Proof of birth is shared securely with the CRA.
• Online through CRA My Account: Use "Apply for child benefits" if you already have a CRA account. This is the fastest route once you are set up.
• By mail with Form RC66: Complete Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application and mail it to your tax centre. This is the standard route for newcomers who have not yet filed a tax return.

Newcomers must also attach Form RC66SCH (Status in Canada and Income Information) if any of the following apply to you or your spouse/common-law partner: you became a resident of Canada (newcomer or returning resident) in the last 2 years, you became a Canadian citizen in the last 12 months, you are a permanent resident, protected person, or temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, or you are registered under the Indian Act.

If the CRA has not previously paid benefits to anyone for your child, you must provide proof of birth showing the child's last name, given name, and date of birth. Documents in a language other than English or French need an acceptable translation.

What you need before applying

• Social Insurance Numbers for yourself and your spouse or partner. A SIN for each child is useful but the child's birth proof is the key document.
• Proof of immigration status: PR card, permit, or protected-person documents.
• Proof of birth for each child (if the CRA has never paid benefits for them).
• Proof of Canadian address and, ideally, direct deposit banking details so payments arrive faster.

Timing: when do payments start, and can they be backdated?

Apply as soon as you meet the eligibility criteria — the CRA encourages applications right after you become a resident or after a child is born or starts living with you. Processing takes weeks, not days, so applying early matters.

Good news if you applied late: the CRA can pay retroactively for up to 11 months before the month it receives your complete application. For periods more than 11 months back, additional documentation is required — and every month you delay beyond the retroactive window is money lost permanently.

Once approved, payments are issued monthly, usually around the 20th. After the initial application, you keep the benefit coming by filing a tax return every year — both you and your spouse or partner, even with zero income. The CCB amount is recalculated each July from your adjusted family net income, so a missed filing can stop payments. For newcomers in their first year, the RC66SCH schedule reports your world income before arrival so the CRA sets the right payment level from the start. If your marital status, address, or custody arrangement changes, tell the CRA right away through My Account — overpayments can be recovered later.