Canadian families getting government payout early for holiday shopping

Families eligible for child tax payments under the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) can expect the money to arrive eight days earlier than usual.

Usually, payments are sent out on the 20th of each month unless it falls on a holiday or weekend, in which case they go out on the working day before.

Child tax payments always come a week early in December due to the gift-shopping-heavy holiday season. Make sure you're signed up for direct deposit instead of cheques to receive your payment on Dec. 12, so any mail interruptions don't put a damper on your plans.

Canadian families got a 2.7 per cent boost in child tax payments. Annual payments for children under six will increase from $7,787 to $7,997, or $666 monthly. For children aged six to 17, this means an annual payment increase from $6,570 to $6,748, or $562 per month.

Aside from the federal child tax, there are several other ways Canadians can get money from the government. Families will get additional benefit payments under provincial child tax programs, such as B.C. Family Benefit and Ontario Child Benefit.

Other payments include the Ontario Trillium Benefit, issuing payments on the 10th, the Canada Disability Benefit payments, arriving on Dec. 18, and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments on the 22nd of the month.

Read more about all the payments you can anticipate before the new year begins.