Canada Learning Bond (CLB): free RESP money for children

Free government money for a child's education after high school, $500 the first year and $100 for each later year up to age 15 (up to $2,000 in total), paid into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) with no need to put in any of your own money.

Program in Canada-wide. Government benefits Money, grants & charity Parents & families Education & tutoring Students

When: The primary caregiver can request it until the child turns 18; after that, the young adult has until the day before they turn 21 to request it. From April 2028 the government will open an RESP automatically for eligible children born in 2024 or later whose caregiver gets the Canada Child Benefit (opting out starts in 2027).

How to reach them

1. Go to their application form.
2. Say who you are and what you are offering or asking.
3. Come back here and tell us if they answered.

Other ways, if that one is quiet

• PhoneGo to the phone line
  It workedNo answer

• PhoneCall 1-800-622-6232
  It workedNo answer

Where else they are

Their website is canada.ca/.../canada-learning-bond.html.

Good to know

• For whomChildren born on or after January 1, 2004 who have a Social Insurance Number and are named in an RESP, in families with adjusted income of $58,523 or less with 1 to 3 children (under $66,036 with 4, under $73,577 with 5) for July 2026 to June 2027.
• CostFree; you do not have to put any money into the RESP
• LanguagesEnglish, French
• Their stepsGet a Social Insurance Number for the child, and for yourself if you do not have one. Choose an RESP promoter from the government's RESP promoters list and ask what benefits they offer before you open the plan. Open the RESP with the child as beneficiary; the promoter helps you apply for the Canada Learning Bond, the Canada Education Savings Grant and provincial benefits at the same time. Check that the bond is deposited; questions go to 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).

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