Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB): Eligibility, Amounts, and How to Apply

The Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB) is an essential financial assistance that has helped low-income families in the province offset the costs of raising children under 18.

For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, your family’s adjusted net income must be less than $28,990 to receive the benefit. The maximum monthly payment ranges from $155.66 for the first child to $190.41 for each additional child beyond the third, with annual totals ranging from $1,868 for one child to $8,260 for four children.

You automatically apply for the NLCB when you apply for the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB). You can apply simply by registering your newborn’s birth, applying online through CRA My Account, or by mailing a paper form.

Read on to learn how this government benefit works and how to make sure your payments arrive without interruption.

What is the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit?

The Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB) is a tax-free monthly payment that helps low-income families cover the costs of raising children under 18.

While fully funded by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the NLCB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It acts as a supplement to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), providing additional support specifically to NL residents who fall below provincial income cutoffs.

Both the CCB and the NLCB are combined into a single monthly deposit from the CRA. If you also qualify for the Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement (ECNS), that amount is included in the same payment.

Who Qualifies for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit?

You qualify for the NLCB if you live in Newfoundland and Labrador, are the primary caregiver of a child under 18, and have an adjusted family net income (AFNI) of $28,990 or less. Filing your annual income tax return is mandatory, as the CRA uses these filings to automatically verify your eligibility for the payments.

To ensure your family receives this support, you must meet all of the foundation criteria below. Falling short on any one means you will not receive the benefit:

Residency and Immigration Status

You must be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador and a resident of Canada for tax purposes.

Additionally, you or your spouse must be:

• A Canadian citizen
• A permanent resident
• A protected person (refugee status)
• A temporary resident who has lived in Canada for at least 18 months
• Registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act

Primary Caregiver Status

You must be the person primarily responsible for the day-to-day care and upbringing of at least one child under 18 who lives with you.

The Income Threshold (AFNI)

Your adjusted family net income (AFNI) must be $28,990 or less, based on your previous year’s tax return. Your AFNI is your family’s total net income (line 23600 on your tax returns) minus any Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) or Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) income, plus any UCCB and RDSP amounts repaid.

Mandatory Annual Tax Filing

This is a strict requirement: you and your spouse or common-law partner must file tax returns annually, even if you earned no income. The CRA cannot calculate your eligibility or issue payments without those documents on file.

What are the NLCB Payment Amounts? (July 2025 – June 2026)

Your income level is the key factor that determines your payment amount. For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, the maximum monthly NLCB payment is $155.66 for the first child, $165.00 for the second, $177.25 for the third, and $190.41 for each additional child.

Families with an AFNI of $17,397 or less receive the maximum monthly payout. If your family’s AFNI is between $17,397 and $28,990, you will receive a partial benefit, which is gradually reduced as your income increases.

The following table outlines the maximum monthly and annual NLCB amounts:

Source: Canada Revenue Agency, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

For the payment period from July 2025 to June 2026, the CRA uses your adjusted family net income from your 2024 tax return. If your income changes from one year to the next, your benefit amount will be adjusted the following July. This is why filing your taxes on time is important: it ensures you receive the correct payments without interruption. To get a precise estimate of your payment, you can use the official Child and Family Benefits calculator at Canada.ca.

When do NLCB Payments Arrive?

Because the NLCB is combined with CCB, it follows CRA’s CCB payment schedule, which is the 20th of each month. If the 20th falls on a weekend or a holiday, you will be paid on the last business day before.

Below are the specific NLCB payment dates for 2026:

• January 20
• February 20
• March 20
• April 20
• May 20
• June 19 (as June 20 is a Saturday)
• July 20
• August 20
• September 18 (as September 20 is a Sunday)
• October 20
• November 20
• December 11 (getting it early for the holidays)

Setting up direct deposit via your CRA My Account is the fastest and most secure way to receive your money. If you are not enrolled in direct deposit, the CRA will mail a cheque to the address they have on file.

How to Apply for the NLCB

There is no separate application for the NLCB; the CRA automatically determines your eligibility when you apply for the Canada Child Benefit. Three primary ways are applying at birth, applying online through CRA My Account, and mailing a paper form.

You should apply as soon as your child is born or starts living with you to avoid missing any payments. When you fill out the provincial birth registration, simply consent to having your information securely shared with the CRA. This single step automatically triggers your application for the NLCB, the CCB, and all other related child benefits without requiring any further paperwork.

If you missed the automated registration at birth, the fastest alternative is to apply digitally. Log in to your secure CRA My Account, navigate to the “Apply for child benefits” section, and follow the on-screen prompts. You will need your child’s birth certificate information to complete this process.

If you prefer to use physical documents, you can download, print, and fill out Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application). Once completed, mail it directly to your designated tax centre. Newcomers to Canada will also need to attach Form RC66SCH – Status in Canada/Statement of Income.

Important note: To maintain your benefits without interruption, you must notify the CRA immediately if your marital status, your address, or the number of children in your care changes. Furthermore, if your custody arrangement shifts to shared custody (where the child lives with each parent 40% to 60% of the time), you and your partner typically receives 50% of the amount you would receive under full custody. You must report it to the CRA to adjust the benefit.

Is the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit Taxable?

No. The NLCB is completely tax-free and does not count as income when you file your taxes. Furthermore, it is considered exempt income for families receiving provincial Income Support. This means your Income Support payments will not be reduced because you are receiving the NLCB or the CCB.

This design ensures the benefit provides maximum support to those who need it most. If you leave Income Support for a job, you will continue to receive the NLCB as long as your income remains below the program’s threshold, helping to smooth the transition to employment.

If you are on Income Support but are not yet receiving the maximum child benefits you are entitled to, you can contact a Client Services Officer at 1-877-729-7888 to ask about a Child Benefit Adjustment.

Beyond the NLCB: Other Provincial Supports for Families

Beyond the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit, other supports are also available, including the Income Supplement, the Disability Benefit, the Senior’s Benefit, and the Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement.

Below are the key programs with amounts shown for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year:

• Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement: This benefit is paid quarterly with your GST/HST credit. You can receive up to $520/year for singles, $589/year for couples, plus $231 per child under 19.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Senior’s Benefit: This provides up to $1,551/year for those over 64 with incomes under $30,078. (Source: NL Income Supplement and the NL Seniors’ Benefit – gov.nl.ca)
• Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit: This benefit provides up to $400/month for eligible adults (18–64) who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit.
• Prenatal/Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement (ECNS): Specifically for families with young children, this supplement provides $150 per month per child under age 5.

All these provincial benefits are administered through the tax system, so you do not need a separate application for most of these programs. Simply file your annual tax return, and the Canada Revenue Agency will automatically determine your eligibility and calculate your benefit amounts.

FAQs about Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB)

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