Canada’s $445 Family Benefit Increase in March 2025—Who’s Eligible? The government of Canada has launched a program to provide financial assistance to families with low income. This payment helps those families to cover the cost of their basic needs. If you’d like to know more about the topic ‘Canada’s $445 Family Benefit Increase in March 2025—Who’s Eligible?’, keep reading the article.
Canada’s $445 Family Benefit Increase in March 2025
The Canadian government has launched various programs to financially support people with low income. One of them is the $445 family benefit payment. This payment is provided to low-income families who are unable to afford necessities. With this payment, they can cover the expenses of food, rent, and essentials for their children. This payment is only provided to applicants with dependent children.
The family benefit includes Canada child benefit, goods, and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit, their related provincial and territorial programs, as well as Canada workers benefit and other federal programs. These payments are administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Its main objective is to support families, reduce child poverty, and provide financial relief to Canadian households.
Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Program Name | Canada Family Benefit |
| Providing Authority | Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) |
| Payment Amount | $445 per month |
| Target Group | Families with children under 18, particularly those with low incomes |
| Eligibility | Canadian residents with dependent children and annual income-based criteria |
| Application Process | Must file taxes, register with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and ensure CCB enrollment |
| Payment Dates | Payments are made monthly, starting January 20, 2025, and continuing every month. |
| Additional Benefits | Part of broader initiatives like Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to help families in need |
| Official Website | Canada Revenue Agency |
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the $445 family benefit payment in Canada, you must meet the eligibility criteria set by CRA as follows:
- Residency and Citizenship: To qualify for the $445 family benefit payment, you must be a citizen of Canada or a permanent resident. This usually means that you have lived in Canada for a long time.
- Income Thresholds: The Canada family benefit is launched to support families with lower incomes. If your household income is more than a specific limit, your benefit payment will be reduced or eliminated. This is to ensure that funds are directed where they are most needed.
For instance, families with an income of $35,000 or less may be eligible for the full $445 per month, whereas those earning higher incomes will receive a progressively smaller payment. - Family Composition: The payment targets families with dependent children. Dependent children normally include those under the age of 18 who are living with you. Sometimes, older children might also be considered dependent if they are in full-time education or have special needs.
- Tax Filing and Registration: It is mandatory to file your annual tax return to receive this payment. Guarantee to file your T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return on time every year to prevent deferred payments.
Payment Dates and Modes
The Canada Family Benefit (CFB) payments are usually made on a monthly basis. The payments are set to start on March 20, 2025, and will continue on the 20th of each month. If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment will usually be made on the nearest business day.
| Payment Month | Payment Date |
| January | 20 January 2025 |
| February | 20 February 2025 |
| March | 20 March 2025 |
| April | 20 April 2025 |
| May | 20 May 2025 |
| June | 20 June 2025 |
| July | 20 July 2025 |
| August | 20 August 2025 |
| September | 20 September 2025 |
| October | 20 October 2025 |
| November | 20 November 2025 |
| December | 20 December 2025 |
The payments will be deposited directly into the bank account of the primary carer if they have set up a direct deposit with the CRA. If direct deposit is not set up, the payment will be mailed via check. For the fastest processing, it is advised to sign up for direct deposit through the CRA’s official website.
How to Claim?
- File your Taxes: The first step is to file your taxes. It is advised to file the income tax even if you don’t have any income to receive benefits.
- Registration: The CCB is linked with the Canada Family Benefit. If you are not already enrolled in CCB, you must apply for it. You can simply complete this online through the CRA My Account portal or by sending the required paperwork to the CRA office that is closest to you.
- Update Details: To make sure you get timely payments, keep your information correct and up to date.
- Payment Method Setup: Make sure that you set up direct deposit to receive your payments in a timely manner. You can do this through your CRA My Account.
- Monitor Payments: After completing the above-mentioned steps, you will start receiving your payments. Keep an eye on your payments and keep their record in case of need in the future.