How to apply
Follow these steps to apply for the children's special allowances (CSA)
Register your agency
To receive payments for the CSA, your agency must have a business number assigned specifically for CSA purposes.
What the CSA business number will look like
The CSA-BN number will have the following format 123456789 RA0001.
- The first nine digits identify the recipient and are unique to a business or legal entity
- The last six alphanumeric characters identify the CSA program
Register by mail, or fax
- Write a letter indicating your desire to register for the CSA. Include your agency name and a method of contact.
- If you have a business number, you can include this in the letter; otherwise one will be created as part of the process.
- Mail, fax or drop it off to your nearest tax services office or tax centre.
- To find the appropriate office or centre, go to Find a CRA address.
- Avoid delays by including copies of your agency’s supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation
If you are a non-governmental agency you must provide:
- a copy of your provincial or territorial licence or authorization regarding the protection, custody and care of children.
If you are authorized by an Indigenous governing body you must provide:
- proof of legislative authority regarding the protection, custody and care of children
Accepted documents for agencies authorized by an Indigenous governing body
- a notice of intent to exercise legislative authority; or
- a request to enter into a coordination agreement; and
- the agency having its own Indigenous Laws relating to child and family services in place
Start or end a CSA payment
Once you have registered a CSA business number, you can apply for the CSA. An agency must submit an application for:
- each child for whom it wants to receive the CSA
- each child for whom the CSA should be cancelled
To avoid delays in processing your application, please take care to provide complete information.
In the event of a delay, retroactive payments are possible but note that there is a limit on retroactive payments.
Send forms by mail
- Download and complete the Form RC64, Children's Special Allowances,
- Forms can be mailed to the nearest tax centre that serves your area.
Apply for or cancel a CSA payment electronically
CSA on the net allows you quickly and securely apply for or cancel a children's special allowances (CSA) payment online. For more information, go to CSA on the net.
To register for CSA on the net, call our toll-free CSA on the net line at 1-877-418-7714.
- We will send you the CSA on the net enrollment package by email, which includes:
- the registration forms
- a copy of the CSA electronic filing document, which contains more details and instructions
Complete the registration forms and return them to us by email. Once we receive your forms, we will configure your access to the secure CSA on the Net website and begin setting up your Entrust certificate.
- System availability
CSA on the net system availability Day Hours Monday to Friday 5:00 am to 2:30 am ET Saturday & Sunday Closed Closed on statutory holidays