CRA $666.41 Children’s Special Allowance 2025: Eligibility & Payment Dates

What is the Children’s Special Allowance (CSA)?

The Children’s Special Allowance is a federal benefit program administered by the CRA under the Children’s Special Allowances Act. It provides tax‑free monthly payments for children under the age of 18 who are maintained by a government department, an agency, or an institution (for example foster homes, group homes, child welfare bodies) rather than by their parents or guardians in the usual sense.

The key features of the program are:

• The payment is not directed to the parents or typical guardians but to the agency that cares for the child.
• The child must reside in Canada and be maintained by the agency for care, maintenance, education, training and advancement to a greater extent than any other individual or agency.
• The amount of the CSA is linked to the maximum monthly payment of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for children in general, plus if applicable the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) for eligible children.
• The funds must be used for the benefit of the child (food, clothing, health, education, training etc.)

In short: the CSA ensures children who are not under the typical parental custody arrangement (but instead placed under formal agency care) receive financial support equivalent (or close) to what other children receive via the CCB system.

Payment amount for 2025

For the benefit year beginning July 2025 and ending June 2026, the CRA has published that:

• For a child under 6 years of age who is eligible for CSA, the monthly amount will be $666.41
• For a child aged 6 to 17 years, the monthly amount is $562.33
• If the child is eligible for the Child Disability Benefit (CDB), an additional monthly amount of up to $284.25 may be included

Thus, $666.41 is often referenced as the headline amount because it corresponds to the youngest age group (under 6) and the maximum monthly rate for them. But other children (6‑17) have a slightly lower base amount.

It’s important to note these are maximums; the actual amount a given child/agency receives depends on whether the child meets all eligibility criteria and the agency has applied properly.

Who qualifies for the CSA? (Eligibility criteria)

Child’s age & residence

• The child must be under 18 years of age
• The child must physically reside in Canada

Maintained by an agency

• The child must be “maintained by an agency” meaning a government department, child welfare agency, foster home group, institution, or other body recognized by the province/territory, which provides the child’s care, maintenance, education, training, and advancement to a greater extent than any other person or agency
• The child must reside in a foster home, group home, institution, or private home of foster parents or guardian, under a decree/order/judgment of a competent tribunal or under law of an Indigenous governing body

Agency requirements

• The agency applying must be licensed/authorized by the relevant provincial/territorial authority or Indigenous governing body
• The agency must apply for a Business Number (BN) specific to CSA purposes if it does not already have one

When a child is no longer eligible

• The payment stops in the month the child ceases to be maintained by the agency, or when they turn 18, or if they move to the care of a parent/guardian not authorised as an agency, or leave Canada

Because the CSA is for children under agency care, parents or guardians outside of that formal agency foster/child‑welfare arrangement cannot apply for the CSA, unlike the CCB which parents/guardians generally apply for.

Payment dates & schedule for 2025

The CRA indicates that CSA payments are generally made on the 20th of each month, or the nearest business day if the 20th falls on a weekend/holiday.

Specific reported payment dates for the late 2025 schedule include:

• September 19, 2025
• October 20, 2025
• November 20, 2025
• December 19, 2025

Since the CSA is tied in many respects to the CCB schedule, and the CRA publishes benefit payment dates for the CCB, foster agencies/child welfare agencies should confirm the exact deposit date with CRA each month.

How to apply / administer the CSA

Because the CSA is not a benefit applied for by parents, but by recognized agencies, the process involves the following steps:

1. Agency registration

• The agency must apply for a CSA‑Business Number (CSA‑BN) if they don’t already have one. The first part (9 digits) identifies the recipient; the last 6 characters identify the CSA program
• Provide proof of licensing or authorization regarding the protection, custody and care of children (except if the agency is a governmental department)

2. Submitting an application form for each child

• The agency must submit Form RC64 – Children’s Special Allowances for each child for whom they want to receive the CSA and for each child for whom the allowance should be cancelled
• This form collects details about the child, the agency, the custody arrangement, etc

3. Verification and timing

• The first CSA payment is made for the month after the child starts to be maintained by the agency. For example, if the child began care in June and the application is processed timely, payment begins in July
• Retroactive payments are possible but only up to a maximum of 11 months prior to the month the application is received containing all required information

4. Payment method

• The agency may request that payments be made directly to foster parents (if the agency instructs CRA). If the child later moves to another foster family, a new form must be submitted to redirect payments
• Payments can be made by cheque or direct deposit. To set up or change direct deposit, use Form RC113 – Direct Deposit Request for CSA

5. Record‑keeping & accountability

• The agency must use the funds exclusively for the care and maintenance of the child to whom they apply. The CRA may audit agencies to ensure compliance
• If the child moves out of the agency’s care (for example returns to parents, is adopted, moves abroad, turns 18), the agency must cancel the CSA for that child in the month of change

Key considerations & latest updates

• The CSA payment is tax‑free
• Because the amounts ($666.41 / $562.33) are linked to CCB maximums, as the CCB adjusts for inflation or policy changes the CSA amounts may also change. The amounts cited are for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year
• Payment amounts and timing are contingent on correct and timely filing by the agency, correct banking information, and ensuring the child meets the “maintained by an agency” criterion. Delays or incomplete applications may delay payment
• The CRA’s supplementary departmental plan for 2025‑26 shows the CSA program’s planned spending at around $423 million for 2025‑26
• Recent changes include expanding eligibility so that Indigenous governing bodies (as defined under certain laws) can apply for the CSA for children in their care

Why this allowance matters

Children in foster care, group homes, institutional settings, or under guardianship of agencies often face significant disruptions and lack the same payment pathways as children living with parents/guardians. The CSA ensures:

• They receive a financial benefit equivalent (as much as possible) to what other children receive via the CCB
• The funding is directed to the agency caring for them, to ensure the child’s needs (food, clothing, education, health) are addressed
• The program helps uphold fairness and aims to reduce financial disadvantage or neglect associated with being in state/agency care

Final Thoughts

The Children’s Special Allowance is a vital piece of Canada’s social support framework, ensuring children in alternative care settings receive meaningful financial support. For the period July 2025 – June 2026 the headline monthly amount is $666.41 (for children under 6) and $562.33 (for children ages 6‑17), with additional supplements for disability where eligible.

For foster homes and child welfare agencies: ensure you have your agency registration with the CRA, file Form RC64 for each child, keep accurate records, and set up direct deposit to make sure funds arrive smoothly. For policymakers and supporters of children’s welfare: maintaining awareness of this benefit, its administration, and timely funding delivery remains crucial.

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