Families can expect to receive their Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments starting July 20, 2016, the federal government said Friday in a press release.
The new CCB will be issued monthly to Canadians and will replace the Canada Child Tax Benefit, including the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Universal Child Care Benefit.
The Canada Child Benefit is simpler and will see families receiving a single payment every month.
The benefit will be tax-free, meaning families do not have to pay back amounts received when they file their tax returns.
CCB payments will be targeted for those who need it most, with low – and middle-income families receiving more benefits.
“It will be much more generous,” the government press release said. “Families benefiting will see an average increase in child benefits of almost $2,300 in the 2016-17 benefit year.”
Parents who already receive a child benefit and who file their income tax and benefit return will automatically be eligible for the CCB.
Parents of newborn children can apply for the CCB using the Automated Benefits Application (ABA) service.
In a list of quick facts, the government noted that nine out of ten Canadian families will receive more in child benefits than under the previous system.
Families with less than $30,000 in net income will receive the maximum benefit.
The maximum annual benefit will be up to $6,400 per child under the age of 6 and up to $5,400 per child aged 6 through 17.
“About 300,000 fewer children will be living in poverty in 2017 compared with 2014,” the government press release added.
