A maximum of 2 children's benefits can be paid to a child.
To be eligible, the child must be either:
The child must also be:
A child may be eligible if the parent or guardian:
If the child is age 18 to 25, the child must be attending school full-time at a recognized educational institution in order to receive a children's benefit.
Once a child turns 25, they are no longer eligible for these benefits.
The monthly children's benefit is a flat rate that is adjusted annually. For the current year the rate is $294.12 (2024). Consult the table of current Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payment amounts.
Dependent children, or their parent or guardian, should complete an application when any of the following happens:
You should apply as soon as possible. If you delay, you might lose benefits. The Canada Pension Plan can only make back payments for up to 12 months (11 months plus the month you apply).
If you have custody and control of a dependent child of a disabled or deceased contributor and the child is under the age of 18, you should apply for the children's benefit on behalf of the child. However, children under age 18, who are living on their own and capable of managing their own affairs may complete their own application.
Child of a disabled contributor:
Child of a deceased contributor:
Students aged 18 to 25 who are applying for or renewing their children's benefit are required to have the Declaration of Attendance at School or University signed by the registrar at the educational institution they are attending. If the student is no longer in school or not attending classes full time, they are required to notify us.
You should have received a Declaration of Attendance at School or University. You are required to complete this document and provide proof of enrolment.
We will accept the following as proof of enrolment:
The attestation must be a written statement or declaration that includes:
If you are applying for the first time, there are 2 ways to apply.
If you are a dependent child aged 18 to 25, and in full-time attendance at a school or university, you should apply for the children's benefit yourself.
If you are a full-time student aged 18 to 25, and you are renewing your benefits, there are 2 ways to renew.
If you cannot renew your benefit online, you can always declare your attendance using the paper application:
If you are age 18 to 25, you must be attending school full-time at a recognized educational institution in order to receive a children's benefit.
Recognized school or university
We define recognized educational institutions as:
That provide training or instruction of an:
The institution must also be recognized by the province in which it is located.
Attending school outside Canada
The school must be recognized by the CPP, and you must continue to meet all eligibility requirements.
Attending school part-time or at multiple institutions
In certain situations, you may be eligible for a benefit when you attend school part-time. For example, if you are taking courses at more than one educational institution, the course hours may add up to full-time attendance. Each situation is considered. Contact Service Canada for details.
Taking evening classes
The amount and duration of classes determine full-time school attendance, not whether the classes are taken during the day or evening. Evening classes and daytime classes have the same value when determining full-time attendance.
Taking virtual or off-site classes
It is possible to be considered a full-time student without being physically present at the institution. Documentation requirements are different for students taking correspondence classes. To obtain information on documentation necessary to satisfy the requirements to be eligible for a child's benefit, please contact Service Canada.
Completing prerequisites to complete a program
Students who have obtained a diploma or degree may have to take additional classes. Students may also need to take a class or multiple classes to complete the requirements of a certificate, diploma or degree. Those students can be considered in full-time attendance if it is proven that the class is a prerequisite or a requirement to complete their program.
The children's benefit is paid during normal school vacations, but will stop if the child has not sent us a signed school attendance form when the child returns to school following vacation.
You must complete the declaration form when you first apply for the benefit, at the beginning of every school year, and when you return to school after having left for a time.
We may also ask you to renew your benefits at the beginning of each semester if you are:
The Declaration of Attendance at School or University (ISP1401) must be completed each year or semester and signed by both the child and a school official.
If the child leaves school and then later returns to school full time, the child must complete a new Declaration of Attendance at School or University (ISP1401) to reinstate the children's benefit. It will be paid starting the month the child returns to school. The children's benefit will not be reinstated unless the child submits a new form.
Children of disabled CPP contributors:
Children of deceased CPP contributors:
Children of disabled CPP contributors:
The benefit is paid on behalf of the child to the disabled contributor, if:
If the child lives apart from the disabled contributor, the person or agency having custody and control may receive the disabled contributor’s child benefit on behalf of the child.
Children of deceased CPP contributors:
The benefit is paid on behalf of the child to the person or agency who has custody and control of the child. However, in some cases, a children's benefit can be paid directly to children under age 18 who have applied and are capable of managing their own affairs.
Children aged 18 to 25 in full-time attendance at a recognized school or university:
The benefit is paid directly to the child.
The benefit will stop:
You must notify Service Canada if:
Remember, if you receive payments you are not entitled to, you will have to pay them back.
Children are eligible for benefits from age 18 until age 25, as long as they remain in full-time attendance at a school or university.
Please refer to the section on how to apply for a child aged 18 to 25 in full-time attendance at a recognized school or university.
Eligibility for the children's benefit is not affected by working in the summer.
Benefits are not affected if the child marries, as long as all eligibility requirements continue to be met.
Your eligibility for the disabled contributor's children's benefit would end the month of your parent's death. However, you could then be eligible for the children's benefit as the child of a deceased CPP contributor.
If you are aged 18 to 25 and receiving the benefit, we convert it to a surviving child's benefit automatically when we are notified of the contributor's death. However, an application for the surviving child's benefit must be made for children under the age of 18.
You must notify Service Canada should you interrupt, terminate or reduce your attendance at school or university. Please notify Service Canada when you have any absences to determine what may be required to continue receiving your benefits.
Note: Make sure to document the duration and reasons for absences during your current or past academic year on the Declaration of Attendance at School or University (ISP1401).
For extended absence periods, you will require an illness certificate (ISP-1403).
Illness certificates can cover temporary breaks in attendance, starting after the beginning of the school year and ending before its scheduled completion. A new declaration of attendance must be provided to confirm continuation of full-time studies.
Absences that last until the end of a school year
Illness certificates can cover the period up to the scheduled end of the school year.
Absences that extend into the following school year
Illness certificates can cover a period that extends into the next school year. A new declaration of attendance form must be provided to confirm continuation of full-time studies.