Canadians will get benefit cheques this week even with Canada Post strike

Parents nationwide (and in Ontario) anticipating the Canada child benefit (CCB) in their mailboxes this week can still expect it to arrive despite the ongoing Canada Post strike. 

Families anticipating cheques can expect them to arrive this Wednesday (Nov. 20). 

Households eligible for the CCB must have children under 18 and can anticipate each calculated payment to be based on the overall adjusted family net income (AFNI) — based on the prior year’s tax return. 

Concerning how the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) ensured the strike would not interrupt these deliveries, an official statement on their website read, “Canada Post has agreed to deliver benefit cheques for the Canada child benefit and related provincial and territorial benefits (including the Alberta child and family benefit) for November 20, 2024. All other benefit and credit payments issued by cheque from the CRA will be held until the strike has been resolved.” 

In July, the overall maximum parents and guardians could receive from the CCB increased by 4.7 percent — indicating that households can now receive up to $7,787 per child under six and $6,570 per child aged six through 17 annually. 

A noted $350 increase from years prior. 

According to information on the CRA’s website, this November cycle of payments will bolster a maximum amount of $648.91 for a child under the age of six and $547.50 for any child six to 17. 

If a household’s AFNI is under $36,502, parents/guardians will revive the maximum amount for each child.

For more information on how to apply for the CCB or its ongoing cycle of payments, visit the CRA’s official website.