Canadian Family Benefits Programs
6 programs available
Benefits for families with children, including the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and maternity and parental leave benefits to support parents during the early years.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The amount is based on your adjusted family net income, the number of children, and their ages. For the July 2024 to June 2025 benefit year, the maximum annual benefit is $7,787 per child under 6 and $6,570 per child aged 6 to 17. Benefits are reduced as family net income exceeds $36,502, with different reduction rates based on the number of children.
EI Maternity and Parental Benefits
EI maternity benefits are available to biological mothers, including surrogate mothers, who cannot work because they are pregnant or have recently given birth. Maternity benefits can be paid for a maximum of 15 weeks at 55% of insurable earnings. These can be combined with parental benefits. Standard parental benefits provide 55% of earnings for up to 40 shared weeks (35 weeks max for one parent). Extended parental benefits provide 33% of earnings for up to 69 shared weeks (61 weeks max for one parent). Parents must choose one option and share the benefit weeks between them.
Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) Tax Credit
The Ontario CARE Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that helps families with child care expenses. The credit provides up to 75% of eligible child care expenses for families with incomes under $20,000, with the rate gradually decreasing to 0% for family incomes above $150,000. The maximum eligible expenses are $6,000 per child under 7, $3,750 per child aged 7 to 16, and $8,250 per child with a severe disability. The credit is claimed on the annual tax return.
B.C. Family Benefit
The B.C. Family Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment to families with children under 18. For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year (based on 2024 tax return), the maximum annual benefit is $1,750 for the first child, $1,100 for the second child, and $900 for each subsequent child. Families with adjusted family net income under $29,526 receive the full amount. Benefits are reduced for incomes between $29,526 and $94,483, with a guaranteed minimum, and further reduced by 4% of income above $94,483.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit provides financial assistance to lower and middle-income families with children under 18. It has two components: a base component and a working component. For 2024, the maximum quarterly base component is $367.25 for the first child and $183.75 for each additional child (up to four children). The base component is reduced when family net income exceeds $27,024 and phases out at $45,285. Families with working income above $2,760 may also receive the working component. Payments are issued quarterly in August, November, February, and May.
Quebec Family Allowance
The Quebec Family Allowance (Allocation famille) is a tax-free payment made by Retraite Quebec to eligible families with children under 18. For 2024, the maximum annual amount is $2,923 per child. The amount varies based on family income and is gradually reduced when family income exceeds $57,822. Families may also receive a supplement for handicapped children ($2,832 annually) and a school supply supplement ($124 per child aged 4 to 16 in July). Payments are made monthly or quarterly depending on the amount.
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