The Canada Child Benefit is the largest monthly payment most families in Canada receive — up to $679.75 a month for each child under six from July 2026. Families on work permits and study permits can get it too, but not right away. The rule that decides when is short, easy to misread, and has one exception that many families miss.
Quick Answer
If neither parent is a citizen, permanent resident or protected person, a temporary resident can get the CCB only after living in Canada for the previous 18 months and holding a valid permit in the 19th month. The exception: only one partner needs qualifying status. If your spouse or common-law partner is a citizen, permanent resident or protected person, you do not wait 18 months. You apply with Form RC66 and RC66SCH (or through CRA My Account), both parents must file tax returns every year, and payments are recalculated each July.
This guide explains general rules. It is not tax advice. Confirm your eligibility with the CRA; a free tax clinic can help you complete the forms.
The Rule, Word for Word
Official rule: the CRA says you or your spouse or common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person, a temporary resident who “lived in Canada for the previous 18 months” and has “a valid permit in the 19th month” (one that does not say “does not confer status”), or registered under the Indian Act. You must also live with the child, be primarily responsible for their care, and be a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
What it means: count 18 full months of living in Canada. In month 19, if your permit is valid, you qualify from that month.
Worked Example
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Family arrives on work and study permits | March 10, 2025 |
| 18 months of living in Canada completed | September 2026 |
| Month 19 — valid permit needed | October 2026 |
| Likely first month of eligibility | October 2026 (the CRA confirms the exact month when it assesses your application) |
Apply as soon as you reach month 19 (or before, so the CRA has your file ready). Our benefits checker includes a CCB counter that works out the month for you.
The Exception Most Families Miss
Only one partner needs to meet the status requirement. If you are on a work permit and your spouse is a permanent resident or a citizen — for example, because they were sponsored earlier, or became a PR before you — the 18-month wait does not apply. Apply as soon as you are a resident of Canada and living with the child.
How to Apply
- Complete Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application), or apply through CRA My Account if you can.
- Attach Form RC66SCH — Status in Canada and Income Information — with copies of your permits and your world income for the years the CRA asks about, because benefits are calculated from income in years before you arrived.
- Include proof of birth if the child was born outside Canada.
- File a tax return every year — both parents. No return means no CCB, even if you are eligible.
Applying with RC66 also registers you for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit) and related provincial benefits (CGEB for newcomers).
How Much You Get (July 2026 – June 2027)
| Child’s age | Maximum per year | Maximum per month |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | $8,157 | $679.75 |
| 6 to 17 | $6,883 | $573.58 |
You get the maximum if your adjusted family net income is under $38,237; it is reduced above that. Payment dates are on our CCB payment dates page.
What Happens at Permit Renewal or PR
- Your permit expires and you are waiting for a new one: the CRA may pause payments if its records show an expired permit. Send your new permit — or proof you applied before expiry — with an updated RC66SCH (why benefit payments stop).
- You become a PR: send the CRA your new status. Permanent residents are not subject to the 18-month rule (after eCOPR checklist).
- A baby is born in Canada: the child is a citizen, but the parent’s status is still what counts for the CCB.
FAQ
Can I get the CCB on a work permit?
Yes, after 18 months of living in Canada with a valid permit in the 19th month — or immediately if your spouse or partner is a citizen, PR or protected person.
Does the 18 months have to be on one permit?
The CRA’s test is that you lived in Canada for the previous 18 months and have a valid permit in month 19. Keep your permit history in case the CRA asks.
Do I need to reapply every year?
No, but both parents must file tax returns every year.
