Canadian Immigration enjoys Canadian living benefits: The Child Benefit, also known as the "Child Allowance," is a social welfare subsidy provided by the Canadian government primarily to low-income families with children. The Child Benefit in Canada can be received monthly until the child turns eighteen, allowing families to enjoy this social welfare throughout that period.
How to Calculate the Child Benefit
1. Basic Allowance
1. For children under eighteen years old, each child can receive CAD 117 per month, totaling CAD 1,405 per year.
2. If a family has more than three children, starting from the third child, the Child Benefit increases by CAD 8.16 for each additional child, totaling CAD 98 per year.
3. If the family's annual income exceeds CAD 42,707, the Child Benefit will be reduced. A family with one child will see a reduction of more than 2%, while a family with two children will see a reduction of more than 4%.
Note: Calculation of the Child Benefit in Alberta
For children under seven years old, CAD 107 per month, totaling CAD 1,292 per year;
For children aged 7-11 years, CAD 115 per month, totaling CAD 1,380 per year;
For children aged 12-15 years, CAD 126 per month, totaling CAD 1,544 per year;
For children aged 15-16 years, CAD 136 per month, totaling CAD 1,635 per year.
Note: Child Benefit in Quebec
The Child Benefit in Quebec is generous. In addition to the above provisions, within six months after the child's birth, the mother can receive a monthly breastfeeding allowance of CAD 60 or a wet nurse fee. If the mother breastfeeds the child herself, she can also receive a monthly breastfeeding allowance of CAD 50 to improve her diet. However, the breastfeeding allowance and wet nurse fee are mutually exclusive benefits.
2. National Child Benefit Supplement
1. For families with one child, CAD 181 per month, totaling CAD 2,177 per year;
2. For families with two children, CAD 160 per month, totaling CAD 1,926 per year;
3. For families with three or more children, CAD 152 per month, totaling CAD 1,832 per year;
4. If the family's annual income exceeds CAD 24,683, the Child Benefit will be reduced. A family with one child will see a reduction of more than 12.2%, a family with two children will see a reduction of more than 23%, and a family with three or more children will see a reduction of 33.3%.
Eligibility Requirements for Applying for the Child Benefit
1. The applicant must reside with the child, who must be under eighteen years old;
2. The applicant must be the primary caregiver of the child. If the child's mother resides with the child, she is typically considered eligible to apply for the Child Benefit. Applicants may include but are not limited to the child's mother, father, grandparents, or other guardians;
3. The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
4. The applicant and their spouse must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons (as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act), or have resided in Canada for the past eighteen months and possess short-term resident status with residency rights for the nineteenth month (as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act). Please do not apply before the nineteenth month;
5. Applicants with a higher family net income may still apply for the Child Benefit. The government will reassess the applicant's eligibility each July based on the previous year's family net income.
Documents Required for Applying for the Child Benefit
1. The applicant needs to fill out the RC66 (Canada Child Tax Benefit Application) form. Depending on the applicant's situation, they may also need to fill out the Status in Canada/Statement of Income form. If the applicant's child has never received the Child Benefit and was not born in Canada or is over one year old, the applicant must submit the child's birth certificate;
2. The applicant and their spouse must file taxes annually, even if there is no income for that year, to qualify for this benefit. If the applicant's spouse is not a Canadian resident, the applicant must fill out Form CTB9 (Canada Child Tax Benefit - Statement of Income);
3. Proof of the applicant's Canadian identity, such as a copy of their passport or Permanent Resident Card;
4. Proof of the applicant's residence in Canada, such as a rental agreement, utility bills, or bank statements;
5. The child's medical birth certificate;
6. Proof that the applicant is the child's primary caregiver, including letters from the child's school, daycare, family doctor, lawyer, etc.
How New Immigrants Can Apply for the Child Benefit
New immigrants applying for the Child Benefit need to fill out the Child Benefit application form. The application form can be obtained upon entry or at the local tax office. Before submitting the application, new immigrants' children must obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Applicants can request that the Child Benefit be sent monthly by check to their home or directly deposited into their or their child's bank account.
New immigrants must apply to the Canada Revenue Agency for the Child Benefit, which will determine the applicant's eligibility, and then the provincial government will issue the benefit. If the applicant's family situation changes, they must immediately notify the Canada Revenue Agency for a reassessment of eligibility. If the applicant has been separated for more than 90 days, the applicant's family situation can be reassessed.
If the applicant's annual income significantly decreases and they wish to recalculate the amount of Child Benefit received, they can request a review and may increase the Child Benefit received on July 1 of that year. If the applicant believes the amount of Child Benefit received is unreasonable, they can submit a written request for review within 90 days. If the applicant still disputes the review result, they can appeal to the Social Affairs Committee within 60 days.
