CCB Payment Dates Announced for 2024 | Are You Eligible?

From diapers to daycare, there’s no question that raising a child is expensive, and parents need all the help they can get. The government introduced the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to help lessen the financial burden on families. The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment designed to help eligible families cover the costs of raising children under 18 years old. Keep reading to learn more about CCB eligibility, how payments are calculated, and the CCB payment dates for 2024.  

What is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?

The Canada Child Benefit replaced the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) and the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) in 2016. The CCB is a tax-free benefit paid each month, starting in July and going to June the following year. The payment amount your receive depends on: 

• The number of children in your care
• The age of your children
• Your marital status
• Your adjusted family net income (AFNI)

Who is eligible for the CCB?

To receive the CCB monthly payment, you must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

1. Primary caregiver status

To meet primary caregiver status, you must be the parent who provides the majority of care to your child. To determine if you meet primary caregiver status, consider the following questions: 

• Do you supervise your child’s daily activities and needs?
• Do you make sure the child’s medical needs are met?
• Do you arrange for child care when it’s needed?

Only one parent can apply for CCB. When spouses or common-law partners live in the same home, it’s assumed that the female parent is primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child. For this reason, the female parent is the only one that should apply for CCB. 

If the other parent is the primary caregiver or if the child lives with same-sex parents, only one parent should apply. You will receive the same amount of money regardless of which parent receives CCB. 

If you share custody of your child, and they only live with you part-time, you will need to figure out if you have shared custody. 

You are considered to have shared custody if your child generally spends 50% of their time with you and 50% with the other parent. In this case, both individuals should apply for CCB.

When your child is with you more than 60% of the time, you are considered to have full custody and should apply for CCB. 

You are not eligible for CCB and should not apply if your child lives with you less than 40% of the time.

If your child lives with you temporarily (e.g., spends the full summer vacation with you), you can apply for temporary CCB payments. 

2. Canadian residency status

For tax purposes, you must be a Canadian resident to apply for CCB. You and your spouse or common-law partner may also be eligible if you are a: 

• Canadian citizen
• Permanent resident
• Protected person
• Temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months and has a valid permit
• Registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act 

3. The age of the child(ren)

You can only apply for CCB if your child is under the age of 18 years old.  

4. Income Qualifications 

The amount of your CCB benefits partly depends on your income. Those with an adjusted family net income under $34,863 (in 2023) will get the maximum amount for each child. 

As your income goes up, the amount you receive will go down. You can use the Government of Canada’s child and family benefits calculator to see how much you might get. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

CCB payment eligibility

1. How do changes in family circumstances affect eligibility? 

If you just got married or have a new common-law partner, it’s important to understand that only one Canada Child Benefit payment is allowed per family, per month. 

Even if you and your new spouse or partner were receiving separate payments before you got together, you should now only receive one payment based on your adjusted family net income. 

Be aware, if you continue to get separate payments, one of you will have to repay the amount after your marital status changes. 

2. Does a non-resident spouse affect my eligibility? 

If your spouse is a non-resident of Canada during any part of the year, you have to fill out Form CTB9, Income of Non-Resident Spouse or Common-Law Partner. 

As soon as your spouse immigrates to Canada, they must submit the following information to the government:

• Social insurance number
• Date of birth
• Address
• Immigration date
• Statement of income

Application and payments 

1. How do I apply for the CCB? 

There are three different ways you can apply for CCB: 

• When you registered the birth of your newborn with your province or territory. This is typically done by filling out a paper form at the hospital or birthing center. If you live in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, or Alberta, you can also register online. 
• Online through My Account. If you didn’t apply for CCB when your child was born, you can apply online using your personal CRA account called “My Account.” 
• Through the mail. You can fill out and sign the Canada Child Benefits application form and mail it to your tax centre. 

2. How much will I receive, and how is my CCB payment calculated?

The size of your Canada Child Benefit payment depends on several factors, including:  

• How many children are in your care
• The age of your children 
• Your marital status
• Your adjusted family net income

Your adjusted family net income (AFNI) is calculated using the following steps: 

• Your family net income (your income + your spouse or common-law partner’s income)
• Minus any universal child care benefit (UCCB) and registered disability savings plan (RDSP) income you get
• Plus any UCCB and RDSP amounts that you or your spouse have repaid. 

As of 2023, family’s with an AFNI under $34,863 will get the maximum CCB amount for each child. 

For children:

• Under 6 years old: $7,437 per year ($619.75 per month)
• 6 to 17 years old: $6,275 per year ($522.91 per month)

Your CCB payments will decrease as your income grows above $34,683.

3. What to do if I disagree with my CCB decision?

If you disagree with your CCB decision, you can contact the CRA at 1-800-387-1193. If you live in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut, call 1-866-426-1527.

Additional Considerations

File your income tax return on time each year

To ensure you get your CCB each year, you must continue to do your taxes on time. Even if you don’t have any income, you need to file your income tax return. The same is true for your spouse or common-law partner. 

If you don’t do your taxes on time, the CRA won’t have the information needed to calculate your CCB payment and your payments will stop. 

Keep your personal information up to date

To make sure you get the right amount of CCB each year, keep your personal information updated with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Contact the CRA as soon as possible if:

• Marital status changes
• Address changes
• Direct deposit status changes
• Number of children in your care changes
• You start or stop sharing custody of a child
• There is a death
• You/your spouse/common-law partner have a change in residency status
• Your notice shows outdated information 

CCB payment dates 2024

What is the monthly CCB payment schedule?

Canada child benefit payments are recalculated every July based on your families AFNI from the previous year. For instance, your payments for July 2024 to June 2025 are based on your AFNI from 2023. The child benefit payment dates occur once per month. 

CCB payment schedule 2024: 

• January 19, 2024
• February 20, 2024 
• March 20, 2024
• April 19, 2024
• May 17, 2024
• June 20, 2024
• July 19, 2024
• August 20, 2024
• September 20, 2024
• October 18, 2024
• November 20, 2024
• December 13, 2024

Possible reasons for missed or delayed CCB payments

If you stop getting your CCB payments, it could be for one of the following reasons: 

• You didn’t file your tax return
• You didn’t respond to a letter from the CRA
• You didn’t tell the CRA that your address or bank account information changed
• Your income is now too high (your CCB payments are recalculated each July)
• Your child turned 18
• You no longer have a child in your care
• You no longer meet the payment eligibility criteria
• You, your spouse, or common-law partner are missing a statement of world income

If you notice a change in the amount of your CCB payments, it could be for one of the following reasons: 

• Your income changed
• Your marital status changed
• The number of children in your care changed 
• Your child turned six
• Your child turned 18
• One of your children is no longer in your care
• Your custody arrangement changed

What to do if a payment is missed or incorrect?

If you don’t get your CCB payment, or if you get the wrong amount, you can sign into your My Account for more information. Or, you can contact the CRA by phone at 1-800-387-1193 or 1-866-426-1527 in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut or by mail. You are asked to wait five working days from the missed payment date before you contact the government. 

Don’t Miss Out on Your CCB Payments 

The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free payment available to eligible families to assist with everything from groceries to daycare and your children’s education. By understanding how the CCB process works, you can make sure you never miss a CCB payment date in 2023 and beyond. If you have questions about the CCB program, check out the Government of Canada website for more details. You can also log into your “My Account” to apply for CCB or to review details related to your CCB payments.