The Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for lower-income families with children under 18. It is fully funded by the province, but the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) pays it in the same deposit as your Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Families with a baby or young child may also get the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement, $150 a month to help with healthy food, which starts during pregnancy.
How much you’ll get (July 2026 to June 2027)
The CRA works out your NLCB each July from your adjusted family net income on the previous year’s tax returns. For July 2026 to June 2027, that’s your 2025 return plus your spouse’s or common-law partner’s.
The NLCB pays a little more for each additional child:
| Child | Maximum per month |
|---|---|
| First child | $157.33 |
| Second child | $166.83 |
| Third child | $179.16 |
| Each additional child | $192.50 |
Added up, the maximum for a family is:
| Family size | Maximum per month | Maximum per year (about) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $157.33 | $1,888 |
| 2 children | $324.17 | $3,890 |
| 3 children | $503.33 | $6,040 |
| 4 children | $695.83 | $8,350 |
You get the full amount if your adjusted family net income is $20,397 or less. Above that, the benefit goes down gradually. Families with incomes up to $38,193 may still get part of it.
The nutrition supplement
The Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement pays $150 a month for each child under 5, depending on your family net income. In the month your baby is born, you also get a one-time extra payment of $150 for each child. It continues until the month before your child turns 5.
Example
A single parent with two children, aged 3 and 7, and a family net income of $18,000 gets the full NLCB of $324.17 a month. If the 3-year-old also qualifies for the $150 nutrition supplement, the family gets $474.17 a month from the province, on top of the CCB.
For incomes above $20,397, the CRA’s child and family benefits calculator shows your NLCB and CCB together.
Who qualifies
For the NLCB, all of these must be true:
- You live in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- You have a child under 18 living with you, and you are mainly responsible for their care.
- You qualify for the Canada Child Benefit.
- You and your spouse or partner file your taxes every year, even if you had no income.
- Your adjusted family net income is under $38,193.
For the nutrition supplement, you may qualify if you are pregnant and live in the province, or if you get the NLCB or Income Support and have a child under 5.
If you share custody, each parent gets 50% of the provincial amount they would get if the child lived with them all the time.
How to get it
The NLCB is automatic. There’s no separate application. The CRA checks whether you qualify when you apply for the CCB and file your taxes.
- While you’re pregnant, apply for the prenatal part of the nutrition supplement. Call the province at 1-800-508-4788 or use the online application. The province pays this part directly into your bank account, or by mail.
- After your baby is born, apply for the CCB. Tick the box on the birth registration form, or apply through CRA My Account or with Form RC66. The NLCB and the nutrition supplement are then added to your CCB automatically.
- File your taxes by April 30 every year, and make sure your spouse or partner does too.
Our Canada Child Benefit guide walks through the CCB application step by step.
What changed in 2026
The NLCB rates above took effect on July 1, 2026, for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year. The CCB itself was also recalculated and indexed in July 2026, so your total deposit may have changed.
Payment late, missing or different?
Your NLCB and nutrition supplement come in your CCB deposit. If nothing arrives, wait 5 working days after the payment date, check the payment status in CRA My Account, then call CRA benefits at 1-800-387-1193.
For the prenatal part of the nutrition supplement, which the province pays, call Social Supports and Well-Being at 1-800-508-4788 or email [email protected].
Common reasons for a missing or smaller payment:
- You or your spouse or partner didn’t file last year’s taxes.
- Your address or bank account changed and the CRA doesn’t have the new one.
- Your family income went over $20,397, which lowers the benefit.
- Your child turned 5 (the nutrition supplement ends) or 18 (the NLCB ends).
- You didn’t apply for the CCB after the birth, so the supplement couldn’t move over to the CRA.
Watch out for scams. The CRA and the province will never ask you to pay a fee, buy gift cards or give your password by text or email to receive a benefit. If a message seems off, don’t click the link. Call the number above yourself.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Child Benefit: the main federal payment, and the one the NLCB rides along with.
- Newfoundland and Labrador Income Support: monthly help if your family has little or no income.
- NL Disability Benefit: for adults aged 18 to 64 who have the Disability Tax Credit.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: the renamed GST/HST credit, paid every three months.
- Canada Workers Benefit: a federal tax credit for low-income workers.
- Our benefits checkup can point you to others.
Common questions
When is the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit paid?
On the same day as the Canada Child Benefit, usually the 20th of the month. The calendar at the top of this page shows each payment date.
How do I apply for the nutrition supplement while pregnant?
Call 1-800-508-4788 or apply online through the Social Supports and Well-Being website. After the birth, apply for the CCB so the payments continue through the CRA.
What is the income limit for the NL Child Benefit?
You get the full amount with an adjusted family net income of $20,397 or less, and a reduced amount up to $38,193.
How long does the nutrition supplement last?
It’s paid until the month before your child turns 5.
Is the NL Child Benefit taxable?
No. It’s tax-free, so you don’t report it as income.