Financial support awaits refugee families with children arriving in Canada
On This Page You Will Find:
- How sponsored refugee families can claim up to $7,400 per child annually through the Canada Child Benefit
- Step-by-step application process that gets you payments within 60 days of arrival
- Critical timing rules that could cost you thousands if you wait too long
- Required documents and forms specifically for refugee families
- Why this benefit won't hurt your immigration status (unlike other programs)
Summary:
Sponsored refugee families arriving in Canada can immediately access the Canada Child Benefit, receiving up to $7,400 per child under 18 through tax-free monthly payments. Unlike other government assistance, the CCB won't negatively impact your permanent residence status or future immigration applications. However, timing is critical—waiting more than 11 months to apply means losing thousands in backdated payments forever. The Canada Revenue Agency processes applications within two months, and payments are automatically backdated to your arrival date if you apply promptly.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Sponsored refugee families qualify for immediate CCB payments upon arrival in Canada
- Applications must be submitted within 11 months to receive full backdated benefits
- The CCB provides up to $7,400 annually per child and won't affect immigration status
- Processing takes up to 60 days, but payments are backdated to your eligibility start date
- Both parents must file annual tax returns to maintain benefit eligibility
Maria Ahmadi clutched her two-year-old daughter closer as she stepped off the plane at Toronto Pearson International Airport. After fleeing Afghanistan and spending months in refugee camps, she finally arrived in Canada as a sponsored refugee. What she didn't know was that within weeks, she could start receiving $533 monthly to help care for her child—money that wouldn't jeopardize her new permanent resident status.
For thousands of sponsored refugee families like Maria's, the Canada Child Benefit represents more than financial assistance. It's immediate support during the most vulnerable transition period, helping cover essential costs while families establish themselves in their new country.
Understanding Your Immediate Eligibility as a Sponsored Refugee
The moment you arrive in Canada as a sponsored refugee, you become eligible for the Canada Child Benefit. This isn't a waiting period program—your permanent resident status automatically qualifies you for this support.
What makes refugee families immediately eligible:
Your status as a permanent resident upon arrival means you meet the immigration requirements instantly. Unlike temporary residents who must wait 18 months, refugees can apply immediately because they hold permanent status from day one.
The program provides tax-free monthly payments for children under 18, with amounts varying based on your family income and number of children. For many newly arrived families with minimal Canadian income, the payments often reach the maximum amounts.
Maximum annual benefits by age:
- Children under 6: Up to $7,437 annually ($619.75 monthly)
- Children 6-17: Up to $6,275 annually ($522.91 monthly)
These amounts decrease as your family income increases, but for most newly arrived refugee families, you'll receive close to the maximum during your first year.
The Critical 11-Month Application Window
Here's what many refugee families don't realize: while you can apply anytime, waiting more than 11 months costs you money permanently. The Canada Revenue Agency will backdate your payments to when you first became eligible, but only for the previous 11 months.
Real-world impact of delayed applications:
If you arrived in January but don't apply until the following February (13 months later), you'll permanently lose those first two months of payments. For a family with two young children, that's approximately $1,240 in lost benefits that can never be recovered.
This rule catches many families off-guard because other government programs often have different timelines. The CCB's 11-month rule is firm—there are no exceptions for late applications beyond this window.
Best practice: Apply within your first month in Canada to ensure you receive every dollar you're entitled to. Even if you're missing some documentation, submit your application with an explanation letter rather than waiting.
Step-by-Step Application Process for Refugee Families
The application process for sponsored refugees involves specific forms and documentation that differ from other applicants. Here's exactly what you need to do:
Required forms:
- Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application)
- Form RC66SCH (Status in Canada/Statement of Income)
Essential documents for refugee families:
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence documents for all family members
- Proof of acceptance as refugees (provided by your sponsoring organization)
- Social Insurance Numbers for both parents (or explanation letter if not yet obtained)
- Birth certificates or equivalent documents for all children
If you don't have a Social Insurance Number yet:
Don't let this delay your application. Include a letter explaining that you haven't received your SIN yet and will provide it once available. The CRA will process your application and request the SIN later.
Application submission options:
- Online through the CRA's My Account portal (once you have a SIN)
- By mail to your local tax services office
- In-person at select Service Canada locations
Most refugee families find the mail option most accessible during their first months in Canada, before establishing online accounts with various government services.
Processing Timeline and What to Expect
The Canada Revenue Agency typically processes CCB applications within 60 days of receiving complete documentation. For refugee families, this timeline often extends slightly due to additional verification requirements, but payments are always backdated to your eligibility start date.
What happens during processing:
Week 1-2: CRA receives and reviews your application for completeness Week 3-4: Verification of immigration status and family composition Week 5-6: Income assessment and benefit calculation Week 7-8: First payment issued with backdated amounts
Your first payment will include:
All monthly payments from your arrival date to the current month, plus your regular monthly amount. This often results in a substantial first payment that helps families cover initial settlement costs.
Payment schedule going forward:
After your initial payment, you'll receive regular monthly payments around the 20th of each month. These payments are deposited directly into your bank account, so ensure you provide accurate banking information with your application.
Why the CCB Won't Hurt Your Immigration Status
One of the biggest concerns refugee families express is whether receiving government benefits will affect their permanent residence status or future citizenship applications. The Canada Child Benefit is specifically excluded from these considerations.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's position:
The CCB is not classified as social assistance. It's considered a tax benefit, similar to other child-related tax credits. When IRCC evaluates immigration applications or citizenship eligibility, they specifically exclude CCB payments from their assessment.
This differs from other programs:
While some provincial social assistance programs can impact certain immigration processes, the CCB operates under different rules. It's a federal tax benefit designed to support all Canadian families with children, regardless of how they became permanent residents.
Documentation for peace of mind:
Keep records of your CCB payments separate from any provincial assistance you might receive. While the CCB won't affect your status, maintaining clear records helps if you ever need to provide documentation to immigration officials.
Annual Tax Filing Requirements
Here's a requirement that surprises many refugee families: both parents must file annual tax returns to continue receiving CCB payments, even if you have no Canadian income to report.
Why this matters for newly arrived families:
During your first year in Canada, you might have little or no Canadian income. However, you must still file a tax return by April 30th of the following year. This return tells the CRA your actual income, which they use to calculate your CCB payments for the next benefit year.
What happens if you don't file:
Your CCB payments will stop after July if you haven't filed your previous year's tax return. The CRA won't resume payments until you file all required returns, potentially creating financial hardship during your settlement period.
Free tax preparation help:
Many community organizations offer free tax preparation services specifically for newcomers and low-income families. The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program provides this service at locations across Canada, often with interpreters available.
Maximizing Your Benefits During Settlement
The CCB calculation is based on your previous year's income, which works in favor of newly arrived refugee families. Since you had no Canadian income in the year before your arrival, your first benefit year often provides maximum payments.
Strategic considerations:
Your first Canadian tax return (covering the period from arrival to December 31st) establishes your income baseline for the following benefit year. If you start working immediately, consider how this might affect your second year's CCB payments.
Additional child-related benefits:
The CCB often qualifies you for other provincial and territorial child benefits automatically. These additional payments vary by province but can add hundreds more dollars annually per child.
Banking and financial planning:
Open a Canadian bank account as soon as possible to receive direct deposits. Some banks offer newcomer packages with reduced fees, helping you keep more of your benefit payments.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Several common errors can delay your CCB application or reduce your payments. Here's what to watch for:
Incomplete family information:
Ensure you list all children in your care, including any who might join you later through family reunification programs. You can add children to your benefit claim as they arrive.
Missing spouse information:
Even if your spouse hasn't arrived in Canada yet, you must include their information on your application. The CRA needs complete family details to calculate your benefits correctly.
Address changes:
Notify the CRA immediately when you move. Delayed address updates can interrupt your payments and cause administrative complications.
Planning for Long-Term Success
The Canada Child Benefit provides crucial support during your first years in Canada, but it's designed to complement your family's overall financial progress. As your income increases through employment, your CCB payments will gradually decrease—but this reflects your growing financial stability.
Building toward independence:
Use the CCB as bridge funding while you establish yourself in the Canadian job market. Many refugee families find these payments essential for covering childcare costs that enable parents to attend language classes or job training programs.
Future considerations:
As you approach Canadian citizenship eligibility, maintain all your CCB records. While these payments won't negatively impact your citizenship application, having organized financial records demonstrates your integration into Canadian society.
The Canada Child Benefit represents more than monthly payments—it's Canada's investment in your family's successful integration. By understanding the application process, timing requirements, and long-term implications, you can maximize this support during your crucial first years as Canadians.
Remember Maria from our opening? She applied for the CCB three weeks after arriving in Canada. Her first payment included four months of backdated benefits totaling over $2,400, money that helped her family secure stable housing and enroll in essential settlement services. Today, two years later, she's working as a community interpreter while her daughter thrives in daycare—partially funded by the ongoing CCB support that recognized her family's potential from the moment they arrived.
FAQ
Q: How quickly can refugee families start receiving Canada Child Benefit payments after arriving in Canada?
Sponsored refugee families can apply for the Canada Child Benefit immediately upon arrival and typically receive their first payment within 60 days. Unlike temporary residents who must wait 18 months, refugees hold permanent resident status from day one, making them instantly eligible. Your first payment will include all backdated amounts from your arrival date to the current month. For example, if you arrived in January and your application is approved in March, your first payment will include January, February, and March benefits in one lump sum. This often results in substantial initial payments—a family with two young children could receive over $2,400 in their first payment, providing crucial support during the settlement period when expenses are highest and income may be limited.
Q: What documents do refugee families specifically need to apply for the CCB?
Refugee families need Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) and Form RC66SCH (Status in Canada/Statement of Income), plus specific documentation including your Confirmation of Permanent Residence documents, proof of refugee acceptance from your sponsoring organization, and birth certificates for all children. Don't delay your application if you're missing your Social Insurance Number—include an explanation letter stating you'll provide it once received. The CRA will process your application and request the SIN later. You'll also need banking information for direct deposits. If you don't have all original documents, certified copies or sworn translations are acceptable. Community settlement agencies often help refugee families gather and prepare these documents, and many offer free assistance with completing the application forms in multiple languages.
Q: Will receiving the Canada Child Benefit affect my permanent residence status or future citizenship application?
No, the Canada Child Benefit will not negatively impact your immigration status or citizenship eligibility. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) specifically excludes CCB payments from their assessments because it's classified as a tax benefit, not social assistance. This distinction is crucial—while some provincial social assistance programs can impact certain immigration processes, the CCB operates under different rules as a federal tax benefit supporting all Canadian families with children. When you apply for citizenship, IRCC won't consider your CCB payments as government dependence. However, keep your CCB records separate from any provincial assistance you might receive, and maintain clear documentation. This separation helps demonstrate your financial integration and provides clarity if immigration officials ever request financial documentation during future applications.
Q: What happens if I wait longer than 11 months to apply for the Canada Child Benefit?
Waiting more than 11 months to apply permanently costs you money with no exceptions. The Canada Revenue Agency only backdates payments for the previous 11 months from your application date, meaning any earlier benefits are lost forever. For a family with two children under six, waiting 13 months instead of applying immediately means losing approximately $1,240 in benefits that can never be recovered. This rule is firm—there are no exceptions for late applications, language barriers, or lack of information about the program. Even if you're missing some documentation, it's better to submit your application with an explanation letter than to wait. You can always provide missing documents later, but you cannot recover lost backdating eligibility. Apply within your first month in Canada to ensure you receive every dollar you're entitled to during this critical settlement period.
Q: Do both parents need to file tax returns even if we have no Canadian income?
Yes, both parents must file annual tax returns by April 30th to continue receiving CCB payments, even with no Canadian income to report. This surprises many refugee families, but filing returns is how the CRA determines your actual income for calculating next year's benefits. If you don't file, your CCB payments stop after July and won't resume until you file all required returns. During your first year, you might have little Canadian income, but you must still file—this actually works in your favor since low income means maximum CCB payments. Many communities offer free tax preparation through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, often with interpreter services. Filing also establishes your Canadian tax history, which helps with future financial services like banking and credit applications. Consider this an essential annual requirement, not an optional task.
Q: How much money can refugee families actually expect to receive through the Canada Child Benefit?
Refugee families typically receive maximum CCB amounts during their first year due to having no prior Canadian income. For children under 6, the maximum is $7,437 annually ($619.75 monthly), while children aged 6-17 receive up to $6,275 annually ($522.91 monthly). A refugee family with two young children could receive nearly $15,000 annually in tax-free benefits. These amounts decrease as your family income increases, but most newly arrived families receive close to maximum payments initially. Additionally, CCB eligibility often automatically qualifies you for provincial child benefits, adding hundreds more dollars annually per child depending on your province. Your benefits are calculated based on the previous year's income, so your first Canadian tax return establishes the baseline for your second benefit year. This system provides maximum support when families need it most—during the initial settlement period.
