Up to $1,200 more per child for 1.6 million families across Canada
CRA SOURCE ARTICLE
In the first four years since its implementation, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) has helped lift nearly 435,000 children out of poverty. Families entitled to the CCB with children under the age of six can expect to receive a bit more money in the bank this year.
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development announced today that the CCB young child supplement (CCBYCS) will take effect later this month.
The Government of Canada recognizes that young families in particular have been impacted by the unpredictable expenses of the COVID-19 pandemic. This money will help pay for things such as short-term child care arrangements, healthy food, clothes, and activities they can do at home as a family.
Families could receive up to $1,200 in support per child under the age of six in 2021. This will benefit about 1.6 million Canadian families and about 2.1 million children under the age of six.
In 2021, families that are entitled to receive the CCB with a net income of $120,000 or less, will receive $300 per payment for each child under the age of six.
The first payments will be issued on May 28, 2021, which will include both the January and April payments for those entitled to them. The final two payments will be issued on July 30 and October 29, 2021.
Families that already receive the CCB will not need to take any action to receive the payments. However, families do need to file their 2019 and 2020 tax returns to access them. The payments that will be made in May for each of the first two quarters – January and April - are based on the family net income for 2019. The July and October payments will be based on the family net income for 2020. This may mean that payment amounts differ for some families mid-way through the year.
Families that have not yet filed for either year could still qualify for CCB and for the CCBYCS by doing their taxes as soon as possible.
See backgrounder for additional breakdown regarding payments.
Quick facts
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment based on income, and provides increased support for low- to middle-income families, to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age.
To help families with children cope with the added pressures of COVID-19, the federal government delivered, in May 2020, almost $2 billion in additional support through a special one-time $300 top-up of the CCB per child. Approximately 3.7 million families benefitted from this measure.
Families that are entitled to the CCB with a net income of more than $120,000 will receive $150 per payment for each child under the age of six.
You can learn more about these programs by visiting the CCB and CCBYCS sites on the CRA website or by scheduling a free consultation with us.