🍁 BenefitCanada

Having a baby

Life eventChecked October 2, 2026

A new baby opens up several federal and provincial benefits, most of which start from one application. Doing the paperwork in the first weeks avoids months of missed payments.

Your checklist

  1. Plan your leave and apply for EI maternity/parental benefits (or QPIP in Québec) as soon as you stop working

    Benefits replace part of your income and late claims can lose weeks.

    EI maternity/parental Régime québécois d'assurance parentale (RQAP)

  2. Register the birth and apply for the Canada Child Benefit at the same time

    Most provinces let you consent to share birth info with the CRA, which starts CCB and provincial child benefits.

    CCB OCB BCFB ACFB NSCB NBCTB

  3. In Québec, confirm Retraite Québec has your Allocation famille file

    It is a separate provincial payment from the CCB.

    Allocation famille

  4. Get a SIN for the baby and open an RESP

    The grant and bond are paid into an RESP only.

    CESG CLB

  5. Both parents file taxes every year

    Child benefits are recalculated each July from both partners' returns.

    CCB CGEB

  6. If your child has a disability, apply for the Disability Tax Credit

    An approved DTC unlocks the Child Disability Benefit and the RDSP grant and bond.

    DTC CDB RDSP grant & bond

  7. Look into child care help when you return to work

    Some provinces subsidize care costs directly.

    ACCB

Timing

Apply for EI or QPIP soon after your last day of work. Apply for the CCB as soon as possible after the birth; CRA can generally pay retroactively only for a limited period. Benefits recalculate every July.

Province-specific notes

  • Quebec: QPIP replaces EI maternity and parental benefits; Allocation famille is paid by Retraite Québec in addition to the CCB.
  • Alberta: ACFB is paid quarterly, separately from the CCB.
  • British Columbia: BC Family Benefit is combined with the CCB; ACCB can help with child care costs.

Official sources

Last checked against these pages on October 2, 2026.

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BenefitCanada is independent and not affiliated with any government. This guide summarizes official sources in plain language; rules and amounts change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.