Increase in Canada Child Benefit: What Airdrie parents need to know

Beginning next week, on Monday, July 1, the Canada Revenue Agency will reset its benefit calendar for most payments, including the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). This means some Airdrie parents may see their payments increase by several hundred dollars.

"Each year, certain personal income tax and benefit amounts are indexed to inflation using the Consumer Price Index data as reported by Statistics Canada," The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) stated on its website.

This means that increases in amounts for certain income-tested benefits like the goods and services tax credit, the Canada child benefit and the Child disability benefit, take effect on July 1 to coincide with the beginning of the program year for payments of these benefits.

"You can help make sure your payments aren't interrupted by filing your income tax and benefit return on time every year – even if you don't have an income to report. Remember, if you get mail from the CRA, please read it right away. If it is a reminder about an outstanding benefit payment – or another debt - it is important to make plans to address that request right away to help you avoid collections actions down the line," The CRA advised.

Beginning on July 1, the CCB (base benefit, child under age 6) will increase to $7,787, compared with $7,437 in 2023. The CCB (base benefit, child aged 6 to 17) is also increasing to $6,570, compared with $6,275 in 2023.

Changes in the Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credit also take effect next week. The Adult maximum increases by five dollars in 2024, to $340, while the Child maximum increases by eight dollars to $179.

The CRA also stated, 'another important piece of legislation passed this summer for families supporting children.'

"In recognition of the hardships experienced by grieving families, the Government of Canada has implemented legislation that will extend CCB payments up to six months following the death of a child, as of January 1, 2025."

What about the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR)?

Recently re-named, The CRA says that the CCR offers, 'Canadians in participating provinces relief from federal carbon pricing.'

"You're eligible to receive these quarterly payments if you have filed your 2023 taxes, are 19 or older and have lived in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island for at least the past month."

The CRA also added that this year, the CCR offers 'an extra cool treat for "country" living with a doubled rural supplement.'

"Rural residents will now get a 20 per cent boost on top of the rebate. While this won't be quite ready for the July CCR payment, the supplement increase will be retroactive to April so you can expect a boost later this year with the increased amounts for April and July."

For those who did file their taxes on or by March 15, a single individual in Alberta is eligible for $225 in rebates, while $112.50 is expected for a spouse or common-law partner. Other base mounts for Albertans also include:

$56.25 per child under 19
$112.50 for the first child in a single-parent family

The rural supplement is:

$45 for an individual
$22.50 for a spouse or common-law partner
$11.25 per child under 19
$22.50 for the first child in a single-parent family

Important benefit dates in the coming weeks include:

June 30 is the last day to apply for period two of the interim Canada Dental Benefit
July 5: GST/HST credit payment date
July 12: Advanced Canada worker's benefit payment date
July 15: Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) payment date
July 19: Canada child benefit (CCB) payment date

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