July 8, 2009 – Beginning this month, low-income families will receive more money through the Ontario Child Benefit to help with the cost of raising their children.
The benefit will reach 1.3 million kids and is almost doubling to a maximum of $1,100 per child this year, up from a maximum of $600 last year.
Parents don't need to apply for the Ontario Child Benefit - to be eligible they must:
- File their income taxes
- Register for the Canada Child Tax Benefit
- Have a child under age 18
- Live in Ontario
The Ontario Child Benefit is the cornerstone of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy, which aims to break the cycle of poverty by giving families and children the support they need to reach their full potential. The strategy sets a target of reducing the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years -- that's 90,000 kids.