Posted by 
It’s almost that time again, parents! The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is set to hit bank accounts this week, offering families across Quebec and Canada a much-needed financial lift during the busy holiday season.
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that helps families offset the cost of raising kids. It’s one of several government payments Quebecers can expect in December, making it a great time to plan for end-of-year expenses.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Canada Child Benefit for December 2024, including who qualifies, how much you could receive and how to avoid delays related to the Canada Post strike.
How does the Canada Post strike affect CCB cheques?
Service Canada announced last month that November’s CCB cheques would still be delivered during the disruption, but that all other CRA payments issued by cheque would be held until the Canada Post strike is resolved.
If you receive your benefits by mail and want to ensure there are no delays, switching to direct deposit is your best bet. Direct deposit sends your payments straight to your bank account. It’s faster, more secure and ensures your money won’t get lost or delayed — and it’s super easy!
To set it up, you can register online or call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281. You’ll need your SIN and banking info, like your account, branch and transit numbers (found on your cheques).
What is the Canada Child Benefit?
The CCB is a monthly payment designed to help parents cover the cost of raising children under 18. It’s completely tax-free and varies based on your family’s circumstances, including income and the number of kids in your care.
Extra support is also available through the Child Disability Benefit, making it a comprehensive aid for families across Canada.
Who is eligible for the Canada Child Benefit?
To qualify for the Canada Child Benefit, you or your spouse must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes and fall into one of these categories:
- Canadian citizen
- Permanent resident
- Protected person
- Temporary resident
- Someone registered under the Indian Act
Additionally, you must live with and be the primary caregiver of the child. Income influences the amount you’ll receive, but the CCB isn’t just for low-income families — there’s no specific income threshold for eligibility.
How to apply for the Canada Child Benefit
Applying for the Canada Child Benefit is simple! You can and should apply as soon as your child is born, a child starts living with you, you gain custody of a child or your custody arrangements change.
Once you apply, the CRA automatically checks if you’re eligible for any other provincial or territorial benefits. You can apply right when you register your child’s birth, or later online through the CRA’s My Account or (under normal circumstances) by mail.
To apply at birth, all you need to do is include your social insurance number (SIN) and give consent to share your details with the CRA when you’re registering your newborn’s birth. You’ll automatically be considered for the CCB.
More about applying for the CCB
How much is the Canada Child Benefit?
The amount you’ll receive depends on factors like your family’s adjusted net income (AFNI) from last year, your child’s age, and the number of kids you have.
For families with an AFNI under $36,502, the maximum monthly payment is currently:
- $648.91 per child under 6
- $547.50 per child aged 6 to 17
If your income exceeds $36,502, your payments are reduced on a sliding scale.
Annual adjustments made in July determine the final amounts for the next benefit year, so be sure to keep your 2024 taxes up to date!
More about CCB payment amounts
Canada Child Benefit calculator
If you want a more accurate estimate of how much you might get from the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), you can use the CRA’s online CCB payment calculator to find out if you’re eligible and calculate your payment.
Is the Canada Child Benefit taxable?
Nope! The CCB is entirely tax-free. This means you won’t need to include it as income on your tax return, leaving you with the full amount to spend on your family.
When are the Canada Child Benefit payment dates?
The next CCB payment arrives on Friday, December 13.
Here are all the other remaining CCB payment dates for the 2023 tax year:
- January 20, 2025
- February 20, 2025
- March 20, 2025
- April 17, 2025
- May 20, 2025
- June 20, 2025
Love this? Check out our MTL Blog noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!
AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog’s Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
