April 24, 2007

Ontario Child Benefit Eligibility Step-By-Step

Depending on your family income, you may be eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit down payment of up to $250 in July 2007 if you meet these requirements:

• You are a primary caregiver (single parent, spouse or common-law partner) of one or more children under 18 years old, born on or before July 1, 2007, in a low-income family, whether you are able to work or not.
• You have filed your 2006 tax return and it has been assessed. 
  
  If you have not filed a tax return, you can download an Income Tax and Benefit Package from  the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.cra.gc.ca/forms. You can also call the Canada  Revenue Agency toll-free at 1-800-959-2221 and request a package. 
• You have registered for the federal Canada Child Tax Benefit. 
  
  If you have not registered, application forms are available from the Canada Revenue Agency on  their website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/benefits/cctb or by calling the Canada Revenue Agency
  toll-free at 1-800-959-2221.
• You are a resident of Ontario as of July 1, 2007.

If you meet all of the requirements above, a cheque for the Ontario Child Benefit down payment will be mailed out to you by the Canada Revenue Agency this July.

Beginning in July 2008, if you qualify and file your yearly tax return, monthly payments will be included with your Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) and National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) payments.   

For more information :

• Questions and Answers – Ontario Child Benefit
• How much could I receive through the Ontario Child Benefit? See the Ministry of Finance on-line calculator.
• To receive the Ontario Child Benefit, you need to file an income tax return. See All about your tax return.
• Find free help doing your income tax. Help is available in several languages.
• You also need to register for the federal Canada Child Tax Benefit.

Additional Information:

• No additional news.