Having and raising kids is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also very expensive. In fact, the average Canadian family spends anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 per year to raise a child until they hit the age of 18. That’s a hefty amount that not all Canadian parents may be able to comfortably afford.
Luckily, the provincial and federal governments have programs in place that are meant to help ease the financial burden that often comes with raising children. In Ontario, parents may be eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) to help out.
Article Summary – What You Need To Know About The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)
- OCB is a provincial program designed to support low-to-moderate-income families with child-related expenses.
- This payment is added to what you qualify for under the CCB program.
- OCB payments are combined and delivered with the CCB payments.
- You can get up to $140 per month for each child under 18 years of age from July 2023 to June 2024. Note that these amounts are updated each year for inflation.
What Is The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)?
The Ontario Child Benefit is a plan backed by the provincial government designed to help low-to-moderate-income families with the financial responsibilities of raising children under the age of 18.
Parents can receive this benefit whether or not they are employed. Payments are tax-free and are issued monthly to families who qualify.
If you have any questions regarding the Ontario Child Benefit, you can contact the CRA via telephone at 1-800-387-1193.
How Much Can You Get Through The Ontario Child Benefit?
Eligible families can receive up to $1,680 per child per year, which works out to up to $140 per child under 18 every month.
The amount you receive will vary based on the following:
- How many children you have
- How old your children are
- Your marital status
- Your adjusted family net income from your previous year’s tax return
Who’s Eligible For The Ontario Child Benefit?
To be eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit, you need to qualify for the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB). To qualify, you must:
- Reside with a child who is under the age of 18 and be the primary caregiver of the child.
- You or your spouse or partner must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, Indigenous person, protected person, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the past 18 months (conditions apply).
- Have filed your tax return.
- You registered your child(ren) for the Canada Child Benefit
- You have a net income under the adjusted family net income threshold.
If your adjusted family net income is above the threshold, you may receive a partial benefit.
How Do You Apply For The Ontario Child Benefit?
You can apply for the Ontario Child Benefit as soon as your child is born, starts to live with you after a period spent living with someone else, or when you get custody of your child.
Apply for the benefit in one of the following ways:
Through Birth Registration
You can apply for the OCB and CCB when you register the birth of your baby by paper at the place of birth. If you live in Ontario, Quebec, or British Columbia, you may also register online.
You’ll need to provide your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to ensure that the birth registration information is shared securely with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and to provide your consent.
Online Through My CRA Account
You can also apply online using the My Account (your personal CRA account) on the CRA website if you did not register when your baby was born. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to register for one before applying for the benefit.
The CRA will automatically review your qualifications for this benefit once your income tax return is assessed and you’ve registered for the Canada Child Benefit.
Ontario Child Benefit Payment Dates 2024
Once approved, you’ll receive your benefits as monthly payments deposited directly into your bank account around the 20th of each month. The first payment will arrive within 8 weeks of completing and submitting an online application, or up to 11 weeks after applying by mail.
Here are the exact payment dates for the Ontario Child Benefit in the year 2024:
| January 19, 2024 |
| February 20, 2024 |
| March 20, 2024 |
| April 19, 2024 |
| May 17, 2024 |
| June 20, 2024 |
| July 19, 2024 |
| August 20, 2024 |
| September 20, 2024 |
| October 18, 2024 |
| November 20, 2024 |
| December 13, 2024 |
How Does The CCB Affect Your OCB Payment Amount?
Parents can receive the Ontario Child Benefit along with their Canada Child Benefit (CCB), a federal government-backed plan that also helps families with the cost of raising children.
Eligible families can receive up to $7,437 per year per child under the age of 6 years, and up to $6,275 per year per child between the ages of 6 and 17. When combined with the OCB payment you can expect to receive the following:
| Max Monthly OCB Payment Amount | Max Monthly CCB Payment Amount | Max Monthly Amount | |
| Children Under 6 years old | $140 | $619.75 | $759.75 |
| Children 6 to 17 years old | $140 | $522.91 | $662.91 |
How Can You Maximize Your OCB Benefit?
The amount that you receive through the Ontario Child Benefit is based on how much you earn. As such, you may be able to increase your benefit by reducing your taxable income, which you can do by maximizing your tax return with tax deductions and credits.
For instance, things such as childcare expenses, education fees, adoption expenses, medical costs, student loan interest, and donations can be used as tax deductions and tax credits. Speak with a tax specialist to help you reduce your taxable income and thereby maximize your OCB benefit.
Other Ontario Financial Programs To Help With Child Expenses
Newborn Allowance
Ontario residents who receive Ontario Works support can receive money to help pay for newborn items. Learn more about the Newborn Allowance.
Money For Individuals Who Are Pregnant Or Breast/Chest-Feeding
Ontario residents who receive Ontario Works support can receive $40 per month or $50 per month if lactose intolerant to help support their nutritional needs.
The Learning, Earning And Parenting (LEAP)
If you are a young parent who receives Ontario Works support, you may be able to get an additional $233 per month through LEAP. Learn more about this program.
Temporary Care Assistance
If you are temporarily caring for a child that is not yours, you may qualify for Temporary Care Assistance. This program offers $274 for the first child and $224 for each additional child. Learn more about this program.
Transition Child Benefit (TCB)
Parents who receive Ontario Works support and are waiting to receive OCB payments can qualify for the Transition Child Benefit (TCB). The maximum monthly amount is $230 per child. Learn more about the TCB.
Child Care Subsidy
Families with children under 13 years old (or up to 18 if they have special needs) can apply for the Ontario child care fee subsidy. Those eligible can access certain camps, children’s recreation programs and other child care programs at a reduced rate. For more information, visit Ontaria.ca.
Final Thoughts
The cost of raising children can be astronomical. While many Canadian families may be able to comfortably afford the expenses, others may find it difficult. In the case of the latter, there are programs available that can help out financially, and the Ontario Child Benefit is one of them. Find out if you qualify to receive some much-needed funds to care for your child.
