Ontario Child Benefit

Beginning this month, eligible families will receive a monthly Ontario Child Benefit (OCB).

The OCB is a provincial program to help low income families with the costs of raising their children.

This year eligible families will receive up to $50/month per child ($600 per year). The OCB will grow to up to $805/year per child in 2009, $900/year in 2010 and $1100/year when the OCB is fully implemented  in 2011.

Residents of Ontario with children under 18 years old may qualify for the OCB depending on their income. Your annual income tax returns will be used to calculate your payment. If you qualify, the OCB is included as part of your Canada Child Tax Benefit and National Child Benefit Supplement payment.

For specific information on your payment, call the Canada Revenue Agency toll-free at 1-800-387-1193. Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-665-0354.

For general information about the Ontario Child Benefit, call the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services toll-free at 1-866-821-7770. TTY: 1-800-387-5559.

Find out more online at www.ontariochildbenefit.ca

More information about the Ontario Child Benefit

If you have a child under age 18, your social assistance has changed. This is because the monthly Ontario Child Benefit payments have started.

If you have a child under age 18, you will see the following changes in your social assistance payment:

• You no longer receive a “basic needs” amount for your child – you now only receive basic needs for yourself, your spouse, and any dependent adults
• The National Child Benefit Supplement is no longer being deducted .

Also, you will no longer receive the Back-to-School and Winter Clothing Allowances. What do these changes mean?

These changes mean that:

• You may receive less from social assistance, but
• Your new monthly Ontario Child Benefit payment and your full National Child Benefit Supplement payment will make up the difference over the year.

You will continue to receive other help for your children through social assistance (such as shelter allowance and health benefits). You can also claim some or all of your child care costs if you are working.

The monthly amounts for Temporary Care Assistance and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities have not changed. Transition Child Benefit Some families may see a new “Transition Child Benefit” on their social assistance payment stub. This is a benefit for families on social assistance that are not receiving the Ontario Child Benefit or are receiving less than the maximum amount of the Ontario Child Benefit.

You do not need to apply for the Transition Child Benefit. If you are eligible, your local office will add it to your social assistance payment. Your eligibility for the Transition Child Benefit is based on the information you give to your local office to calculate your social assistance payment. Also, to receive the Transition Child Benefit you must be trying orhave tried to get the Ontario Child Benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement. If you are receiving the Transition Child Benefit while you are waiting for your Ontario Child Benefit to start, it’s important to know:

• When you get your first monthly Ontario Child Benefit payment, you may also receive a lump-sum Ontario Child Benefit and National Child Benefit Supplement payment. This is to cover the months that you waited for your Ontario Child Benefit to start.
• Because you received the Transition Child Benefit for the same months you waited for the Ontario Child Benefit, your next social assistance payment will be reduced.

Your local office staff can explain this to you in more detail if needed.

For more information:
If you have questions about these changes to social assistance, please contact your local office or the provincial client services unit toll-free 1-888-789-4199. TTY toll-free: 1-800-387-5559.

For information about the Ontario Child Benefit, please call toll-free 1-866-821-7770.
TTY toll-free: 1-800-387-5559.

You can also find out more online at www.ontariochildbenefit.ca.

The Ontario Works program provides financial assistance to individuals and families (participants) in financial need. The program also provides support and assistance to participants in meeting the Ontario Works Act requirements to participate in seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work or self employment. Ontario Works is governed by the Ontario Works Act. 

Ontario Works Sault Ste Marie

• Administers and delivers programs to persons in need of Social Assistance and helps participants towards self-sufficiency
• Develops procedures to meet local needs in respect of the provincial legislated requirements
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with community partners
• Develops employment placement opportunities for Ontario Works participants through assessment and skills matching to an employment database