How do refugees apply for the Canada Child Benefit?

1. Eligibility snapshot: who among "refugees" can apply

The key legal barrier is immigration status: parents must be Canadian residents for tax purposes and be one of the recognized statuses — permanent resident, protected person, or a qualifying temporary resident — to receive the CCB; an individual holding only a “Refugee Protection Claimant Document” is not eligible for the standard benefit ^{[6] [3] [7]}. Official IRCC guidance and settlement agencies repeatedly advise that privately sponsored and resettled (protected) refugees with children are eligible and should apply on arrival ^{[1] [2] [8]}.

2. Practical steps: how to submit an application

Applications are submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) either online through “Apply for child benefits” in My Account or by mailing Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, to the appropriate tax centre; applicants who are new residents or whose status falls into special categories must also complete Form RC66SCH, Status in Canada and Income Information ^{[3] [9]}. CRA warns not to submit duplicate applications via both My Account and paper forms because that can delay processing ^[3].

3. Documents required and proof of status

Applicants must provide proof of the child’s birth and proof of the parent’s status in Canada: acceptable documents include a record of landing, confirmation of permanent residence, notice of decision, or a temporary resident’s permit as listed on the RC66 guidance ^{[10] [7]}. Where applicants cannot yet obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN), CRA guidance and the RC66 booklet explain how to attach a note and alternative documentation so the application can proceed ^{[3] [10]}.

4. Timing, retroactivity and tax obligations

Refugees are urged to apply immediately after arrival because processing can take up to two months and retroactive payments are limited to a maximum period (CRA can make retroactive payments for up to 11 months from the month it receives the application) — delays or late filing can reduce the amount received ^{[1] [3]}. Newcomers must also file T1 tax returns even with little or no income, because CCB amounts are calculated using adjusted family net income and tax filings feed CRA records and future payments ^{[6] [4]}.

5. Special cases, exclusions and common pitfalls

People in the in-between category—refugee claimants, failed claimants, or people without legal status—generally cannot access the standard CCB because entitlement is based on the parent’s immigration status rather than the child’s citizenship; some programs or transitional payments may exist but are limited and situation-dependent ^{[4] [5] [11]}. Settlement agencies and provincial guides stress that even if families think they “don’t qualify” because of income or paperwork, they should still apply promptly and use settlement workers for help to avoid missed entitlements ^{[12] [8]}.

6. Where to get help and what to expect next

Settlement organizations, IRCC post-arrival guidance for sponsored refugees, and CRA resources (MyAccount progress tracker and the RC66 instruction booklet) are the recommended supports to complete forms, assemble proof, and check application status; studies show refugees have relatively high take-up rates when they engage with settlement systems, suggesting the system works if newcomers are assisted through paperwork and tax registration ^{[2] [9] [13]}. Reporting limitations: sources provide procedural and eligibility rules but do not cover every exceptional humanitarian scenario, so when cases are complex, legal advice or direct CRA contact is necessary ^{[3] [5]}.