Canada Family Allowance (CCB) Estimator
Use this calculator to estimate your annual and monthly Canada Child Benefit (CCB), often called family allowance in everyday conversation.
Estimate based on published CCB-style parameters. Actual CRA payments may differ due to custody arrangements, disability supplements, marital changes, and provincial/territorial programs.
What is family allowance in Canada?
In modern Canadian tax and benefits language, most people are referring to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) when they say “family allowance.” It is a tax-free monthly payment designed to help with the cost of raising children under 18.
Your benefit amount is based mostly on:
- Your adjusted family net income (AFNI)
- How many eligible children you have
- The age of your children (under 6 vs. 6 to 17)
- Your family situation (for example, shared custody)
How this calculator estimates your benefit
This tool uses a straightforward CCB-style formula:
- Maximum annual amount per child under 6
- Maximum annual amount per child aged 6 to 17
- Income-based reduction once AFNI passes key thresholds
- Different reduction rates depending on total number of children
The output shows:
- Estimated annual family allowance
- Estimated monthly payment
- A compact breakdown of the math used
Quick reference: rates used in this estimator
| Item | Value used |
|---|---|
| Maximum annual per child under 6 | $7,787 |
| Maximum annual per child age 6 to 17 | $6,570 |
| Income threshold 1 | $36,502 |
| Income threshold 2 | $79,087 |
Reduction rates increase as the number of children rises. This is why entering the right child count matters.
Example calculation
Scenario
A household has:
- AFNI of $65,000
- 1 child under 6
- 1 child age 6 to 17
The calculator first computes the maximum annual entitlement, then subtracts income-based reductions. The result is your estimated annual benefit, which is then divided by 12 for a monthly estimate.
What this calculator does not include
This is an educational estimator, not an official CRA determination. It does not include every edge case or supplemental program, such as:
- Child Disability Benefit adjustments
- Retroactive payments and reassessments
- Mid-year changes in marital status
- Shared custody split-payment rules
- Provincial and territorial child/family benefits layered on top of CCB
If you live in Quebec, you may also receive provincial family benefits in addition to federal CCB amounts.
Tips to maximize accuracy
- Use your latest adjusted family net income from your tax return information.
- Count only children who are eligible and currently in your care.
- Recalculate after major life changes (income, new child, separation, custody update).
- Compare with your CRA My Account estimate for planning decisions.
FAQ
Is this the exact amount I will receive?
No. This is a planning estimate. Your official amount comes from CRA based on your full file.
Is family allowance taxable in Canada?
The Canada Child Benefit is generally tax-free.
Can I use this for budgeting?
Yes. It is ideal for budgeting, cash-flow planning, and comparing scenarios (e.g., income changes).
Bottom line
A family allowance calculator gives you a practical way to estimate your monthly child-related support before official payment notices arrive. If you want a quick estimate, use the calculator above, then confirm against CRA records for final numbers.