Monday, June 30, 2014
Ministry of Children and Youth Services
More Support on the Way for Ontario Families: Ontario Child Benefit to Increase in July
Beginning July 2014, hundreds of thousands of Ontario families will receive another increase of up to $100 per child annually to their Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) payment.
As a result of the 2013 and 2014 increases, an estimated 90,000 additional children in 46,000 more families are eligible for the OCB for the first time. With these increases, the benefit has more than doubled since 2008.
As part of Budget 2014, if passed, the province is proposing to tie the OCB to inflation starting July 2015, to help eligible families keep pace with the costs of raising children.
Increasing the OCB is part of Ontario's plan to break down barriers for low-income Ontarians and reduce poverty. Helping families raise healthy children also supports the government's economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow by focusing on Ontario's greatest strengths -- its people.
Quick Facts:
- Families with an annual net income of $20,000 or less receive the full OCB for each child under the age of 18. Families earning more may be eligible for partial benefits based on their income and the number of children they have under the age of 18.
- The OCB was introduced in 2007. Monthly OCB payments began in July 2008 with a maximum annual benefit payment of $600 per child per year.
- By increasing the maximum Ontario Child Benefit to $1310 in July 2014 and indexing it to inflation beginning July 2015, the government is proposing to invest $160 million more for eligible families across Ontario.
Learn More:
Quotes:
"The Ontario Child Benefit is making a big difference for many families who struggle to make ends meet. This latest increase is just one of the ways our government is helping to break the cycle of poverty."
— Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Children and Youth Services
Media Contacts:
Neil Zacharjewicz
Minister’s Office
416-212-7159
Anne Machowski
Communications Branch
416-325-5156
Public info line
1-866-821-7770
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