Ontario Child Benefit

The Ontario Child Benefit was announced in March 2007 and will go to all eligible low-income families with children between the ages of 0 – 18, whether they are working or receiving Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Eligible families will begin receiving the monthly benefit in July 2008. If a family leaves social assistance, they will not lose their child benefits.

To be eligible, families must have immigration status in Canada, must file their taxes, and must register for the Canada Child Tax Benefit. See ISAC's Ontario Child Benefit Q&A and File your Income Taxes Alert for more information.

In July 2008, eligible families will begin receiving $50/month/child, gradually increasing to $92/month/child by 2011. ISAC is urging its supporters to lobby the provincial government to roll out the full $92 a month more quickly so that families living in poverty don't have to wait four years to get the full amount.

While families on OW and ODSP will be better off as a result of the new benefit, the amount they will get is significantly less than it appears. As of July, 2008, monthly ODSP and OW benefits for families will be reduced. See ISAC's Social Assistance Rate Restructuring and Child Benefits fact sheet or our OCB/Rate Restructuring PowerPoint presentation for more information.

In addition, families will no longer receive a separate winter clothing allowance or back-to-school allowance. Take Action to ensure this doesn't happen!

Families who are not eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit may be eligible for the new Transition Child Benefit. More information will be posted once it is available.

ISAC is also encouraging people interested in more information on the Ontario Child Benefit, the Transition Child Benefit and the winter clothing and back-to-school allowances to contact their local OW or ODSP office to arrange an information session in their community.

Transition Child Benefit Fact Sheet – June 2008