December 2024: $648 Canada Child Benefit – The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a monthly payment to help families with kids under 18. It’s tax-free, meaning you don’t have to pay taxes on it. In December 2024, some families could get up to $648 per child under 6 years old. The money comes on December 13, 2024, just in time for the holidays. Here’s what you need to know about how much you might get, who can get it, and how to make sure you don’t miss out.
| Payment Date | December 13, 2024 |
| Eligibility | Canadian resident, primary caregiver, filed taxes |
| Maximum Amount (per month) | $648 (under 6), $547 (ages 6-17) |
| Annual Maximum | $7,787 (under 6), $6,570 (ages 6-17) |
| Income Threshold | Full amount for incomes $36,502 or less; reduced above that |
| Extra Payments | Up to $264/month for children with disabilities |
| How to Receive It | Direct deposit (fastest) or mailed cheque |
| Missed Payments | Check CRA account, call 1-800-387-1193 |
| Retroactive Claims | Can claim up to 3 years back if eligible |
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?
- 2 When Will You Get the Money?
- 3 Who Can Get the Canada Child Benefit?
- 4 How Much Money Might You Get?
- 5 Are There Any Extra Payments?
- 6 How to Make Sure You Get Your Payment
- 7 What If You Don’t Get the Money?
- 8 Why This Payment Helps
- 9 Can You Get Money for Past Months?
- 10 Final Thoughts
What Is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?
The Canada Child Benefit is money the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) gives to parents to help pay for things kids need, like food, clothes, or school stuff. It comes every month and is based on how much money your family makes. If you don’t make a lot, you get more. If you make more, you might get less or nothing. They update the amounts each year because prices for things keep going up.
Also Read: Canada’s $5,000 Senior Grant: Who Qualifies & How to Claim Yours
When Will You Get the Money?
The December 2024 payment comes on December 13, 2024. It’s a bit earlier than usual so families can use it for holiday shopping or bills. If you get the money straight into your bank account, it’ll be there that day. If you get a cheque in the mail, it might take a few extra days. If you don’t see the money within a week after December 13, call the CRA to check.
Who Can Get the Canada Child Benefit?
To get the CCB, you need to meet these rules:
- You must live in Canada. This means you’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have been here for at least 18 months with a valid permit.
- You need to be the main person taking care of a child under 18, like the one who feeds and looks after them most of the time.
- You and your partner (if you have one) have to file your taxes every year. The CRA looks at your taxes to decide how much you get.
- The child must live with you and be under 18.
You can’t get it if your child is in foster care getting other government money, or if you don’t live in Canada for tax purposes.
How Much Money Might You Get?
The amount depends on how old your kids are and how much money your family makes:
- For kids under 6 years old, you can get up to $648 per month. That’s $7,787 for the whole year.
- For kids aged 6 to 17, you can get up to $547 per month. That’s $6,570 for the year.
If your family makes $36,502 or less per year, you’ll get the full amount. If you make more, the amount goes down a bit. For example:
- A family with two kids under 6 and low income might get $1,297 in December ($648 x 2).
- A family with one 8-year-old and a higher income might get less.
You can check how much you’ll get using the CRA’s online calculator.
Are There Any Extra Payments?
Some families can get more money:
- If your child has a disability and qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, you might get up to $264 extra per month.
- Some provinces add their own money to the CCB, like the Ontario Child Benefit. It’s included automatically if you qualify.
How to Make Sure You Get Your Payment
If you’re already getting the CCB, you don’t need to do anything—it’ll come on its own. But if you’re new or not sure, here’s what to do:
- Apply for It: You can apply online on the CRA website or by filling out a form called RC66. If you just had a baby, you might be able to apply when you register their birth.
- File Your Taxes: You and your partner need to file your 2023 taxes, even if you don’t owe money.
- Update Your Info: Tell the CRA if your address, relationship status, or number of kids changes. You can do this online or by calling.
- Use Direct Deposit: It’s faster than a cheque. You can set it up on the CRA website.
If you just applied, it might take a couple of months to get your first payment.
What If You Don’t Get the Money?
If you don’t get your payment by a week after December 13, wait a few more days, then check online with your CRA account or call them at 1-800-387-1193. Sometimes it’s late because your info isn’t up to date or you didn’t file taxes.
Why This Payment Helps
The December CCB payment can help with holiday costs like gifts or warm clothes for your kids. For families who don’t have much money, $648 per child can pay for a lot of groceries or bills. It’s a way to make things a bit easier when money is tight.
Also Read: Extra GST Payments in 2025: Who Gets $519, $650, or $171?
Can You Get Money for Past Months?
If you think you missed out before, you might be able to get money for up to three years back. Call the CRA and explain—they might ask for papers like your child’s birth certificate.
Final Thoughts
The December 2024 Canada Child Benefit could give you up to $648 per child under 6 (or $547 for kids 6 to 17) on December 13, 2024. It’s tax-free and can help with holiday expenses or daily needs. Make sure you qualify by filing your taxes and keeping your info updated with the CRA. If you’re not sure how much you’ll get, check online or call them. This money is there to help your family, so don’t miss out!
