Benefit cheques increase to keep up with cost of living in Canada

Good news for families — Canada Child Benefit payments are increasing.

The Canada Child Benefit, a tax-free, monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age, will increase, Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development announced today (July 19) in Mississauga.

For the 2024–25 benefit year, families can receive up to $7,787 per child under the age of six and $6,570 per child aged six through 17, according to a press release from the federal government.

This means parents could receive up to $350 more than last year. This represents an increase of 4.7 per cent from the previous year.

The increase is aimed at helping parents keep up with inflation. The Canada Child Benefit has been indexed to inflation using Consumer Price Index data as reported by Statistics Canada—a widely used measure of inflation.

“This tax-free benefit is increasing again to help parents keep up with the cost of raising kids and to give their kids the best possible start in life. We will continue to deliver results that Canadians can count on,” said Sudds.

Brampton West MP and Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, was also at the announcement at Bridgeway Family Centre Turtle Creek in Mississauga.

The benefit helps children get a fair chance at success, Khera said.

“Just in Brampton West, our tax-free Canada Child Benefit has supported over 26,000 children and their families, especially in facing the rising cost of living,” Khera added. “With the increase in this benefit, our government will continue supporting families in paying for their necessities and helping hundreds of thousands of children across the country do what they do best: being kids.”

For more information on the benefit and how to apply, see the website here.