If you’re raising kids in Quebec, some financial relief could be heading your way soon. The next Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment is scheduled for next week, and eligible families could receive up to $648.91 per child — completely tax-free.
Here’s everything you need to know about how much you could get, who qualifies, and how to make sure you’re enrolled.
What is the Canada Child Benefit?
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment from the federal government that helps parents and guardians cover the cost of raising children under 18. It’s paid out by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and the amount varies based on your income, family size, and your children’s ages.
It’s also indexed to inflation and recalculated every July based on your previous year’s tax return.
More about what the CCB covers
How much can you get in May 2025
The amount you get from the Canada Child Benefit depends on your 2023 income and family details — it’s not a fixed rate for everyone. For the current benefit period (July 2024 to June 2025), eligible families can receive up to $648.91 per month (or $7,787 annually) for each child under 6, and up to $547.50 per month ($6,570 annually) for each child aged 6 to 17.
Families with a net income above $36,502 may receive a reduced amount. You can estimate your exact payment using the CRA’s Child and Family Benefits Calculator.
More about CCB payment amounts
Who is eligible for the CCB
To qualify for the CCB, you must:
- Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes
- Live with a child under 18
- Be primarily responsible for their care
- Have filed your tax return (and your spouse’s, if applicable)
In shared custody, the payment is usually split equally between both parents.
More about CCB eligibility
When will May’s CCB payment be made?
The CRA will issue the next CCB payment on Monday, May 20, 2025, making for a nice addition to some folks’ Victoria Day. If you’re signed up for direct deposit, it should appear in your account that day. Paper cheques may take longer to arrive by mail.
Upcoming payment dates:
- May 20, 2025
- June 20, 2025
More about benefit payment schedules
How can I apply for the CCB?
New to the CCB? You can apply by:
- Registering your child’s birth and consenting to share your info with the CRA
- Logging into your CRA My Account and applying online
- Mailing Form RC66 to your tax centre
Once you’re enrolled, you don’t have to reapply each year — just file your taxes on time to keep receiving monthly payments.
The CCB is fully tax-free, so the entire amount goes directly into your pocket.
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