The Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) is a non-taxable amount paid monthly to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age.
The CCTB may include the Child Disability Benefit (CDB), a monthly benefit providing financial assistance for qualified families caring for children with severe and prolonged mental or physical impairments.
Also included with the CCTB is the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS), a monthly benefit for low-income families with children. The NCBS is the Government of Canada's contribution to the National Child Benefit, a joint initiative of federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and First Nations
To be eligible, you must meet all the following conditions:
You must live with the child, and the child must be under the age of 18;
You must be the person who is primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child; this means you are responsible for such things as supervising the child's daily activities and needs, making sure the child's medical needs are met, and arranging for child care when necessary. If there is a female parent who lives with the child, we usually consider her to be this person. However, it could be the father, a grandparent, or a guardian.
You must be a resident of Canada; and
You or your spouse or common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month
Generally, you should apply for the CCTB as soon as possible after:
your child is born;
a child starts to live with you; or
you become a resident of Canada.
Even if you feel you will not qualify for the CCTB because your family net income is too high, you should still apply. If you are the parent of a newborn, living in a participating province, you may now apply for the CCTB.
