Canada Child Benefit Grandparent Kinship Care

What Grandparents Are Entitled To

The Canada Child Benefit is a federal, tax-free monthly payment for an eligible individual who is primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of a child under 18. You don't need to be the biological parent. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives can apply when the child lives with them and they meet the CRA's eligibility rules; the CRA assesses the caregiving arrangement and supporting evidence.

For the July 2026 – June 2027 benefit year, maximum amounts are:

• Children under 6: up to $8,157 per year ($679.75/month)
• Children aged 6–17: up to $6,883 per year ($573.58/month)

Full amounts go to households with adjusted family net income (AFNI) of $38,237 or less. Above that, benefits reduce gradually based on income and the number of children.

The Transfer Problem

Here's where it gets complicated. When a child moves from a parent's home to a grandparent's care, the biological parent usually continues receiving the CCB. The CRA doesn't know the child has moved unless someone tells them.

The parent may not voluntarily stop their payments. In some cases they don't realize they should; in others, they're counting on the money even though they're no longer providing care. Either way, the grandparent can't receive the benefit until they submit their own application and the CRA resolves the competing claim.

Filing Form RC66

The grandparent files Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) directly with the CRA. Include Form RC66SCH (Status in Canada and Income Information) when the CRA instructions require it, such as for newcomers or returning residents.

Critical details on the form:

• Specify the exact month and year you assumed primary care of the child
• Never use the biological parent's CRA My Account to make changes — file your own separate application
• File your tax returns as well — the CRA needs current income information to calculate and continue benefit payments

Proof of Care: What the CRA Requires

The CRA may ask for objective proof that the child lives with you. Strong evidence includes:

• School enrollment records showing your address as the child's home
• Letter from a licensed healthcare provider confirming the child is under your care
• Signed In Loco Parentis agreement from Legal Aid Manitoba (this is particularly strong evidence in Manitoba kinship cases)
• Court parenting or guardianship order if one exists
• Child and Family Services letter confirming awareness of the care arrangement

For a period that began more than 11 months before you apply, the CRA requires additional documents, including proof of your citizenship or immigration status, proof you lived in Canada, and proof you were primarily responsible for the child. If you cared for a child under a kinship or close-relationship program, you may be eligible for benefits for prior years. Submit supporting documents that match the period under review.

What Happens After You File

The CRA may contact the biological parent to verify whether they're still the primary caregiver. If the grandparent's claim is approved, the CRA assigns the CCB based on the eligible period and may adjust payments previously made to the parent.

The result can include:

1. Retroactive payments to the grandparent — the CRA pays any CCB owed for eligible months after reviewing the claim and supporting evidence
2. Recovery from the biological parent — the CRA may recover payments made for months when the parent was no longer entitled to receive them

Processing time varies. Some transfers resolve in a few weeks; contested cases can take months. During the wait, start the EIA Section 5(1)(f) application, which does not depend on CCB approval. The Manitoba Child Benefit requires CCB eligibility, so apply once you meet that condition.

CCB and Provincial Benefits: How They Interact

In Manitoba, the Canada Child Benefit is fully exempt from EIA income calculations. Receiving the CCB doesn't reduce a child's EIA Section 5(1)(f) grant. It also doesn't count against the Manitoba Child Benefit (MCB) eligibility — in fact, receiving the CCB is a prerequisite for the MCB.

The CCB similarly isn't counted as income for Non-EIA Rent Assist calculations.

One exception: if a child enters formal Child and Family Services care and the agency takes legal custody, the CCB stops and is replaced by Children's Special Allowances paid directly to the agency. This doesn't apply to informal kinship care arrangements — only to formal CFS placements.

When the Transfer Gets Stuck

If the biological parent actively disputes the transfer, the CRA may request additional evidence or conduct a more detailed review. During this period:

• Keep records of the child's daily care — school attendance, medical appointments, extracurricular activities
• Ask the child's school or doctor for a dated letter confirming your role
• Contact the CRA's child benefits line at 1-800-387-1193 to check the status

Don't wait for the CCB to come through before starting an EIA Section 5(1)(f) application. EIA and CRA review the claims separately; the Manitoba Child Benefit does require CCB eligibility.

The Manitoba Kinship Financial Help Guide includes a complete CCB transfer checklist, sample evidence documentation, and a timeline tracker for managing the process alongside provincial benefit applications.

See more Manitoba guides →