Maple News reports that the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) continues to be a vital source of financial support for newcomer families raising children in Canada. This tax-free monthly payment, provided by the federal government, helps offset the cost of child-rearing, offering up to $619.75 CAD per month for each child under age six, and $522.91 CAD for children aged 6 to 17.
A recent study by Statistics Canada shines a spotlight on how newcomers to Canada are accessing this critical benefit. The study examined Canada’s permanent residents (PRs) who arrived between 2016 and 2019, focusing on the take-up rates of the CCB among couples with children. Findings reveal that between 79% and 85% of these newcomer couples received the benefit within their first year of landing.
Access to the CCB hinges significantly on establishing tax residency in Canada. Filing a T1 personal income tax return or having documented employment income on a T4 slip greatly increases eligibility. Among PR couples where at least one partner earned a wage or salary, CCB participation climbed to 93–95%. This underscores the importance of both income reporting and active residency in qualifying for the support.
Conversely, newcomers who neither reported employment income nor filed tax returns had take-up rates below 10%. This disparity suggests that many of these families may not have met residency requirements or completed the necessary administrative steps to receive the benefit, even though they may technically be present in Canada.
Beyond its role as a financial resource, the CCB serves as a foundational support for many newcomer families transitioning to life in Canada. For lower-income families, the benefit contributes to essential needs like housing, childcare, food, and education. It’s worth noting that the CCB is income-tested, and payment amounts begin to decrease once a family’s net income surpasses $36,502 CAD.
Newcomers are encouraged to file tax returns annually—even in cases where no income was earned—to ensure eligibility for payments like the CCB and other federal or provincial benefits. As Maple News notes, the CCB not only helps ease the financial burden of settling in a new country but also reflects the Canadian government’s broader commitment to supporting families.
For newcomer parents, understanding the tax system and ensuring proper documentation is crucial for tapping into this essential lifeline. As Canada’s immigrant population continues to grow, programs like the Canada Child Benefit remain key to helping families build a stable future in their new home.