Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Are refugees in Canada eligible for the Canada Child Benefit and how much per child in 2025?
Executive Summary
Refugees who have been recognized as protected persons or otherwise hold eligible immigration status in Canada can receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB); however, refugee claimants awaiting a decision are not eligible until their claim is accepted and they gain protected‑person status or another qualifying status. For the 2025 payment period the published maximum CCB is $7,997 per year (about $666.41/month) for each child under six and $6,748 per year (about $562.33/month) for each child aged 6–17, with amounts reduced as family net income rises above the program’s thresholds [1] [2] [3] [4].
1. Who actually qualifies — the fine print that matters to families arriving in Canada
Eligibility hinges on immigration and tax‑residency status: the caregiver must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, qualified temporary resident, or registered under the Indian Act to qualify for CCB. The practical implication is that government‑assisted refugees who arrive with protected‑person status or who later receive that designation can apply and receive CCB, but those still in the refugee‑claimant stage do not qualify until their claim is accepted. This distinction is repeatedly reflected in the government and community policy analyses showing that timing of status resolution determines access to CCB rather than refugee arrival per se [1] [4] [5].
2. The 2025 dollar numbers — what families can expect on the cheques
For the 2025 benefit year the program caps the benefit at $7,997 annually for each child under six and $6,748 annually for children aged 6–17, which translates roughly to $666.41 and $562.33 per month respectively when families fall below the income phase‑out point. Those maxima apply to families with adjusted family net income below the program’s initial threshold; once adjusted family net income exceeds $37,487, the CCB begins to be reduced on a sliding scale that depends on total family income and the number of children, lowering the per‑child payment as income rises [1] [2] [3].
3. Timing and administrative realities — why eligible families sometimes see delays
Even when refugees attain protected status, receipt of CCB requires tax‑filing and administrative steps: families must file Canadian income tax returns annually, register for CCB through the Canada Revenue Agency, and keep personal details up to date. Practical barriers cited in community guidance include lack of awareness of the need to file taxes, delays in status documentation, and confusion between programs such as the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) monthly income support and the CCB, which are separate streams. These administrative realities mean that recognized refugees can be eligible in law yet still experience a lag before CCB payments start [6] [7] [8].
4. Diverging viewpoints in the materials — advocacy versus government framing
Policy advocates and community groups emphasize that current eligibility rules exclude many newcomers and recommend reform to make benefits accessible more quickly, arguing that exclusion of claimants creates gaps in child support and increases hardship. The government and program descriptions focus on status‑based eligibility criteria and income‑tested maxima, stressing fiscal thresholds and program integrity. Both perspectives agree on the core facts — who is eligible and how much the maximum is — but diverge on whether the waiting rules for claimants are a policy flaw or a necessary control. Readers should note that advocacy sources urge expansion while administrative sources underscore legal definitions and procedural requirements [7] [1] [4].
5. What to watch and next steps for families and caseworkers
Families and settlement workers should prioritize securing protected status documentation, timely filing of Canadian income tax returns, and registering with CRA to trigger CCB payments as soon as eligibility is established. Monitor income levels relative to the $37,487 threshold because family net income determines whether the full per‑child amounts apply or will be reduced. Since government guidance and community advisories converge on these operational points, ensuring paperwork and tax compliance is the fastest route from eligibility in principle to payments in practice [8] [2] [4].
6. Bottom line — eligibility is status‑dependent; amounts are fixed but income‑tested
The bottom line is clear: recognized refugees (protected persons) are eligible for the Canada Child Benefit; refugee claimants are not until their claims are accepted, and the maximum 2025 payments are $7,997/year for children under six and $6,748/year for children 6–17, subject to phased reductions above the stated income threshold. Families should treat the CCB as a conditional, income‑tested entitlement that requires both the correct immigration status and routine tax administration to convert eligibility into actual monthly support [1] [2] [3] [4].