Friday, June 17, 2016
Ontario Ensuring Vulnerable Families Keep Full Canada Child Benefit
As part of its commitment to combat child poverty, Ontario will ensure that families receiving social assistance fully benefit from the proposed new federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB), without any provincial 'clawback'.
As a result, almost 260,000 children in families who receive social assistance will benefit from the full amount of their CCB payment.
The CCB is expected to take effect July 1, 2016. Ontario has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the full amount of the CCB benefit will be paid directly to families and will not affect the amount of, or eligibility for:- Ontario Works benefits
- Ontario Disability Support Program benefits
- Child care subsidies under the Child Care and Early Years Act
- Healthy Smiles Ontario, the province’s dental program for low-income youth
- Rent-geared-to-income subsidies
- Portable housing benefits.
The provincial changes, which include regulatory changes, have already been made so that they will apply to the very first CCB payment to families. The maximum annual benefit will be $6,400 per child under the age of six and $5,400 per child aged six to 17. The vast majority of families receiving social assistance in Ontario will receive these maximum amounts.
Combatting child poverty is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts- The proposed Canada Child Benefit would replace the Canada Child Tax Benefit, including the National Child Benefit Supplement, and the Universal Child Care Benefit.
Additional Resources
Quotes
“I am proud that Ontario has taken action to make these important changes, and that we are working with the federal government to fight child poverty. Putting the full amount of the Canada Child Benefit in the hands of families instead of clawing it back to subsidize existing provincial programs is a crucial way to help the most vulnerable children and families in our province.”
Dr. Helena Jaczek
Minister of Community and Social Services
“Ontario’s decisive action to prevent clawbacks on the new Canada Child Benefit will ensure that the most vulnerable families in our province receive a much needed income security boost. This is a great example of how different levels of government can work together to fight poverty and drive tangible results that will be good for our communities.”
Pedro Barata
Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, United Way Toronto & York Region
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