Canada child benefit: 4. How to apply

From Canada Revenue Agency

4. How to apply

If you are eligible, you can apply for the CCB in one of the following ways:

Online via My Account

You can use My Account if any of these situations apply:

  • your child is born
  • a child starts to live with you
  • you did not already apply using the Automated Benefits Application or Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application

How long it will take to process your online application

You should hear from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) within 80 days after we receive your application. If some information was missing from your application, we will ask you for it. This will delay the processing of your application.

After we process your application, we will send you a notice. It will tell you if you will get benefits, how much your payment will be, and what information we used to calculate the amount.

There are no delays expected. Online applications should be processed within 80 business days.

What you need to do

  1. Log in to or register for My Account.
  2. Go to “Apply for child benefits.”
  3. Confirm your contact information, your marital status and your citizenship.
  4. Add your child’s name, gender, date and place of birth and caregiver information.

After you apply, you can check the status of your application by going to My Account.

Apply online now using My Account

Other ways to apply

Apply automatically: the Automated Benefits Application

Automated Benefits Application

The Automated Benefits Application is a partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Vital Statistics Agency of the participating province. The CRA will use the information from the child's birth registration to determine your eligibility for benefits and credits.

You can use the Automated Benefits Application if all of these situations apply:

  • you are the birth mother of a newborn
  • your child is born in a province of Canada (Territories will offer this service soon)
  • you did not already apply using My Account or Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application
What you need to do

After your baby is born:

  1. Register your child's birth through your province
  2. Give your consent to the Vital Statistics Agency to securely share the information from your birth registration form with the CRA.
  3. Provide your social insurance number (SIN) to avoid delays.
  4. Submit your form.

We recommend that you sign up for direct deposit before your baby is born to get your payments faster.

If you use the Automated Benefits Application, do not apply any other way.

Apply through the mail

Mail in Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application

You can use Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, if any of these situations apply:

  • your child is born
  • a child starts to live with you
  • you are a new resident of Canada
  • you did not already apply using the Automated Benefits Application or My Account
What you need to do
  1. Fill out and sign Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application.
  2. Mail the completed form to your tax centre.

Contact Canada Revenue Agency for help with your application

In person at a tax services office
In person

Tax services offices (TSO) are located throughout Canada. Find the one serving your area.

By phone or fax
Contact us by phone or fax

Our automated service is available at all times. Telephone agents are available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 9 am to 5 pm (local time). From February 20 to May 1, 2017, telephone agents will be available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 9 am to 9 pm (local time) weekdays, and from 9 am to 5 pm (local time) on Saturdays (except Easter weekend).

Call 1-800-387-1193 (Canada and United States) for information on the Canada child benefit (CCB), the GST/HST credit, and related provincial and territorial programs, as well as the child disability benefit and children's special allowances. Also call this number for information and assistance with our electronic services for benefit recipients such as the MyBenefits CRA mobile app.

Our goal is to respond to your call within 2 minutes. It may be hard to reach us during peak periods. If you get a busy signal, please hang up and try again later.

There are no delays expected. Most calls should be picked up within 2 minutes.

 

 

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