Child Tax Loans: Canada Child Benefit in 2025-2026

Raising children in Canada is more expensive than most parents expected — and more than 50% of parents say they've gone into debt to pay for their kids.

From bottles and onesies to lunch money and extracurricular activities, the bank of mom and dad empties quickly. But when you're facing financial pressure between paydays, child tax loans offer an alternative to high-cost payday loan options.

If you've never heard of child tax loans, this guide will explain how you can use your Canada Child Benefit payments to access the cash advance you need while avoiding expensive payday lenders.

Read on to discover everything about child tax benefit loans, from eligibility requirements to your best borrowing options.

Key Takeaways

• Child tax loans let eligible families borrow money against their Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments before the next monthly payment arrives
• The Canada Child Benefit provides up to $7,997 annually ($666.41 per month) for children under 6 in 2025-2026
• Cash advance services like Bree offer interest-free child tax benefit loan options with no credit check required
• Provincial child benefits from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario add extra financial assistance on top of federal Canada Child Benefit
• Alternative lenders may accept child tax payments as approved employment income for benefit loans
• Traditional payday lenders charge high interest rates on child tax payday loans—consider bad credit friendly options instead

What Are Child Tax Loans?

A child tax loan is a short-term cash advance loan given to eligible families while waiting for their Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or other child tax credit payments from the Canadian government.

It's a way for families to access cash loans early, with the loan amount based on the CCB payments expected from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Here's what you need to know:

• Child tax loans allow families to borrow money against their CCB payments if they need cash before the next monthly payment
• Typically, these benefit loans are due on the borrower's next payday or when their next direct deposit from CCB arrives—though some lenders offer loans with flexible payment plans
• Lenders will ask for proof of CCB eligibility, like recent benefit statements, to confirm there will be future payments to repay the cash advance

Understanding the Canada Child Benefit in 2025

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB), also referred to as the "baby bonus," is a tax-free monthly payment offered by the Canadian government and administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to eligible families.

The purpose is to provide financial assistance to Canadian families and help with the cost of raising children.

2025-2026 Canada Child Benefit Payment Amounts

For the benefit year running from July 2025 to June 2026, the maximum CCB amounts are $7,997 per year ($666.41 per month) for children under 6 years old, and $6,748 per year ($562.33 per month) for children aged 6 to 17.

Families with an adjusted family net income under $37,487 receive the full maximum amount, with payments gradually decreasing for families with higher incomes.

Child Disability Benefit

If your child is eligible for the disability tax credit, you may also qualify for the Child Disability Benefit, which provides up to $3,411 per year for each eligible child in 2025-2026 Immigration News Canada.

This child disability benefit helps families dealing with a physical or mental disability cover additional costs.

How to Qualify for the Canada Child Benefit

To qualify for the CCB, you must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• You live with a child under 18 years old
• You're the primary caregiver
• You're a Canadian resident for tax purposes
• You and your spouse or common-law partner must be one of the following:
  • Canadian citizen
  • Permanent resident
  • Protected person
  • Temporary resident (lived in Canada for 18 months with a valid permit)
  • Indian status

How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit

You can apply for the CCB when:

• Your child is born
• A child starts living with you
• You start, end, or change a shared custody arrangement
• You gain custody of a child
• You, your spouse, or common-law partner meet the eligibility criteria listed above

There are a few different ways to apply:

In Hospital: When your child is born, you can apply through CCB by filling out a paper form in the hospital. If you live in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, or Quebec, you can also apply online at birth registration Bree. You'll need your SIN number and a valid bank account for direct deposit.

My Account: If you didn't apply when you registered the birth of your child, you can apply online through CRA My Account.

By Mail: You also have the option of filling out the Canada Child Benefits Application form (Form RC66) and mailing it to your tax center.

Once you start receiving payments from CCB, you can use them to help get approved for child tax loans from Bree.

Your CCB payment can help increase your eligibility by adding to your monthly payment and child tax benefit income. If you need access to money in the short term to cover upcoming expenses, you can apply for online child tax loans from Bree and then use your CCB payment to repay your loan.

Provincial Child Benefits in Canada (2025)

Most provinces provide financial assistance through additional child benefits programs outside of the federal Canada Child Benefit.

These payments are typically combined with your CCB into a single monthly payment. Here's a breakdown of the provincial child benefits and family benefit programs:

Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)

Quarterly payments issued in August, November, February, and May with a maximum annual benefit of up to $5,768 (base plus working component based on income and number of children), with reductions beginning if income exceeds $27,565.

British Columbia Family Benefit

Monthly payments included with CCB, providing non-taxable amounts to qualifying families with children under 18 years of age. Additional support for families in BC with enhanced payments for low- and middle-income families.

New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit

• Monthly payments included with CCB
• Basic annual benefit: $250 per child
• Additional Working Income Supplement (for earned income over $3,750) up to $250 per family benefit
• Annual back-to-school supplement: $100 per child for low income families

Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit

• Monthly payments included with CCB
• Annual benefit per child ranges from $1,825.92 for the first child to $2,233.92 for each additional child
• Additional Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement (similar to mother baby nutrition supplement): up to $1,800 per child under 5

Northwest Territories Child Benefit

• Monthly payments separate from CCB
• Children under 6: Annual benefit ranges from $814.92 for one child to $2,445 for four children
• Children aged 6-17: Annual benefit ranges from $651.96 for one child to $1,956 for four children
• Income eligibility threshold starts at $30,000

Nova Scotia Child Benefit

• Monthly payments included with CCB
• Annual benefit: $1,525 per child
• Reduced to $762.50 per additional child if net income is between $26,000 and $34,000

Nunavut Child Benefit

• Monthly payments separate from CCB
• Basic annual benefit: $348 per child
• Additional Territorial Workers' Supplement: $289.92 for one child, or $369 for two or more children

Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)

Monthly payments with a maximum annual benefit of $1,680 per child under 18, with income eligibility threshold starting at $25,646. This program is fully funded by the Province of Ontario.

Yukon Child Benefit

• Monthly payments
• Annual benefit per child: $918
• Income eligibility threshold starts at $35,000

Quebec Family Allowance

• Monthly payments with amounts based on income and family size
• Administered by Retraite Québec, not CRA
• Adjustments for income and special supplements for certain families

How Can Child Benefits Help You Get a Loan?

‍

If you need access to cash to help cover your daily bills or to pay for an unexpected expense, many lenders will allow you to use your CCB payments as approved income for child tax benefit loans.

Traditional Personal Loan from Banks or Credit Unions

While you can apply for personal loan options with a traditional bank or credit union, you'll need to ask if they'll consider your Canada Child Tax Benefit payments as part of your total employment income.

If approved, the bank will provide you with a lump sum, which you have to pay back in installment loans over a predetermined period. You'll have to pay interest rate charges and associated fees on traditional loans.

When applying for a personal loan with a bank, most lenders will perform a hard credit check and review your debt to income ratio and income.

You typically need a strong credit history to qualify. If the bank includes your CCB payment, this might help boost your child tax benefit income but won't guarantee you qualify for a loan.

Payday Loans for Child Tax Benefits

Many payday lenders offer loans called child tax payday loans. While getting a payday loan is much easier and faster than traditional loans, you're also taking on significantly more risk.

The typical payday loan comes with extremely high interest rates and very short loan repayment terms. If you fail to pay on time, you'll likely face high fees and interest charges.

With a payday loan, it's easy to find yourself in a cycle of debt. Before taking on child tax payday loans or a baby bonus payday loan, consider your other options.

Bree: The Smart Alternative for Child Tax Loans

You can also apply for child tax loans with Bree—a better alternative to traditional payday lenders and alternative lenders.

Here are the top reasons to choose Bree for your child tax benefit loan:

Quick Cash Advances for Immediate Needs

With Bree, you can access up to $500 cash advances. The best part? You don't have to worry about any interest or late fees, and there's no credit check required.

Bree's child tax loans offer an affordable way to bridge the gap between expenses and your child tax benefit income, letting you manage bills without the high costs often tied to traditional loans or most payday lenders.

Flexible Payment Plans

Unlike personal loan options or online payday loans, Bree's child tax benefit loan is available with a unique pay-when-you-can system. This way, you manage cash advances from your child tax credit without pressure.

Also, there's no fixed due date, so you repay once your direct deposit or next child tax benefit payments arrive, unlike traditional installment loans.

Straightforward Application Process

With Bree's quick loan online application, you can secure funds in minutes. You don't have to deal with the boring paperwork of traditional loans and credit check requirements.

Plus, Bree's simple system approves based on minimal criteria like bank statements, employment income, and child tax benefit eligibility. All you need is a valid bank account for direct deposit.

No Bad Credit Worries

Unlike bad credit loans from alternative lenders or magical credit schemes that promise unrealistic terms, Bree doesn't judge your credit history. Whether you have bad credit or no credit check history at all, you can still accept child tax benefit advances through Bree.

Making the Right Choice for Child Tax Loans

Times are tight for many Canadians, especially parents.

If you need a little bit of financial assistance to ensure you can put food on the table and pay your bills, you can leverage your CCB payment to help you get a child tax benefit loan.

While there are several cash advance loan options available, weigh the pros and cons of each and consider how much you'll have to pay in fees and interest rate charges:

• Traditional bank account loans may have lower interest rates but require good credit history
• Payday lenders charge extremely high fees on baby bonus payday loans
• Alternative lenders may offer loans with flexible payment plans but often at higher costs
• Cash advance apps like Bree provide interest-free options with no credit check

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Tax Loans

Can I get a child tax loan with bad credit?

Yes! Many lenders, including Bree, offer loans without requiring a credit check. Bree's child tax benefit loan doesn't look at your credit history or bad credit score—approval is based on your Canada Child Benefit eligibility and bank statements. This makes it accessible for families who might not qualify for traditional personal loan options or bad credit loans from alternative lenders.

How much can I borrow with child tax loans?

The loan amount varies by lender. With Bree, you can access up to $500 in cash advances. Traditional payday lenders may offer loans up to $1,500, but these come with high interest rates and loan costs. The amount you qualify for typically depends on your child tax benefit income and monthly payment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Do child tax loans affect my Canada Child Benefit payments?

No. Taking out child tax loans or benefit loans doesn't affect your actual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) monthly payment amounts or eligibility. Your child tax credit payments from the Canadian government will continue as scheduled. However, you'll need to use your direct deposit from CCB to repay the child tax benefit loan when it arrives.

What's the difference between child tax loans and payday loans?

Child tax loans are specifically designed for families receiving Canada Child Benefit payments, using your CCB income as qualification for benefit loans. Payday loans are general short-term loans available to anyone with employment income. While both provide quick cash, child tax payday loans specifically accept child tax payments as income, whereas most payday lenders require traditional employment income from a job. Both payday loan types should be compared carefully for interest rate charges and loan repayment terms.

Are there alternatives to child tax loans for families?

Yes! Beyond child tax loans, families can explore several options. Provincial programs like the Alberta Child Benefit, Ontario Child Benefit, Nova Scotia Child Benefit, Brunswick Child Tax Benefit, and British Columbia family benefit programs provide financial assistance. You might also qualify for government subsidies, the child disability benefit for children with a physical or mental disability, or a disability tax credit. Some families use personal loan options from credit unions, installment loans, or maintain a bank account with overdraft protection to avoid expensive payday loan options.

Ease Financial Stress With a Child Tax Loan

Raising children is expensive, and financial stress is real for Canadian families.

If you need help to ensure you can put food on the table and pay your bills, you can leverage your CCB payment to help you get a Canada child benefit loans or child tax benefit loan.

While several cash advance loan options exist, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each. Consider how much you'll pay in loan costs and interest rate charges before choosing between payday lenders, alternative lenders, or interest-free options.

When comparing online child tax loans and child tax cash loans, look for lenders with transparent loan payments, flexible payment plans, and no hidden fees.

Ready to apply for a child tax loan? Bree offers up to $500 with zero interest and zero mandatory fees—no credit check required. Unlike traditional payday loan options or baby bonus payday lenders, Bree helps Canadian families access the cash they need without falling into debt.

Get started with Bree today and see how your Canada Child Benefit can work for you!