July 23, 2008

New monthly child benefit payments start

McGuinty government building opportunity for low-income families and children

News

This week, about 465,000 families with 960,000 children are receiving the first monthly Ontario Child Benefit payments. 

The new monthly payments that equal up to $600 this year, growing to up to $1,100 a year by 2011, will help all eligible low-income families with the cost of raising their children. 

When fully implemented in 2011, the Ontario Child Benefit will reach nearly 1.3 million children living in 600,000 low-income families, bringing the government’s total investment to $2.1 billion. 

Families with an annual income of $20,000 or less will receive the full benefit for each child, while families earning more may also be eligible based on the number of children under 18 and the family net income.

The Ontario Child Benefit is a major reform to the way assistance is provided to low-income families because children can qualify whether their parents are working or not. This means that people can move off welfare without worrying about losing support for their kids.

The Ontario Child Benefit is the cornerstone of the McGuinty government’s commitment to develop a poverty reduction strategy that will expand opportunities for children and low-income families so they can reach their full potential and contribute to a strong economy.

Quotes

“We’re now making it a little easier for all low-income families to provide for their children every month,” said Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews. 

“For a family with two children, the OCB could mean an extra $100 worth of nutritious groceries.  We know this is the right thing to do for our families — and it's also the smart thing to do for our economy."

“To get the Ontario Child Benefit it’s crucial that low-income families fill out their tax returns,” said Toronto Centre MPP, George Smitherman.

"The Ontario Child Benefit will reduce barriers faced by families with children trying to leave welfare for work," said Gail Nyberg, executive director of Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank. "At the same time it will help reduce child poverty and hunger."

Quick Facts

• The Ontario Child Benefit is being delivered for the province by the Canada Revenue Agency and appears on the same cheque as the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement.
• Eligible families need to file their income tax returns before they can receive the Ontario Child Benefit.
• Families must also register for the Canada Child Tax Benefit.
• Funding equivalent to the maximum Ontario Child Benefit is also provided to children and youth in the care of children’s aid societies.

Learn More

• Learn more about the Ontario Child Benefit.
• Check the online calculator to see if you are eligible
• Find out what’s happening in the fight against poverty in Ontario.