Minister Findlay Encourages Families to Apply for the Increased Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB)


MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 17, 2015) - Canada Revenue Agency

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue and Brad Butt, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville reminded Mississauga parents today that the Universal Child Care Benefit payments will land in almost 4 million mailboxes or bank accounts starting July 20th, totaling over $2.986 billion.

A family with two kids will get as much as $1,000 in a single day under the Harper Government's Universal Child Care Benefit. Parents may spend this money on child care services, back-to-school supplies, sports activities and much more, boosting the economy and creating jobs across Canada.

Under the boosted UCCB, families would receive up to $1,920 per year for each child under 6 and up to $720 per year for each child aged 6 through 17. The new benefit amounts are retroactive to January 1, 2015 and will be reflected in monthly payments to families in July 2015. That means families will receive retroactive payments of up to $520 for each child under 6 and about $420 for each child 6 through 17. The boosted UCCB will benefit more than 4 million families, double the number of families that previously benefitted from the program.

This is on top of the Family Tax Cut which allows couples with children under 18 to split their income and reduce their tax burden by as much as $2,000. This is in addition to any payments received under the Child Tax Benefit, which remains unchanged.

Minister Findlay encouraged local families to apply for the benefit if they have not already done so. Parents and guardians can apply anytime and receive the benefit. If your family is not currently receiving the UCCB, has never received the UCCB, or has never applied for the Canada Child Tax Benefit and you still have children under 18 in your care, please go to www.canada.ca/taxsavings to find out how you can apply.

Quick Facts

  • The increase to the UCCB will more than double the number of families that benefit, from 1.6 million to 4 million.
  • The majority of families with children, approximately 3.8 million, have been identified and will automatically receive the enhanced UCCB or has been contacted by the Government to confirm their information.
  • Combined with tax relief introduced by the Government of Canada since 2006, a typical family of four can receive up to $6,600 in tax relief and enhanced benefits in 2015.
  • Low-and-middle-income families will receive two-thirds of the overall benefits provided by the Government of Canada's new family measures.

Quotes

"We know that balancing family and work can be difficult. This is why programs like the increased UCCB are crucial to helping Canadian families flourish. With the expansion made to the UCCB, our Government continues to make families our priority."

- The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue

"Our Government is making it easier for families to save more while balancing the demands of work and family. If you've ‎got kids under 18, you qualify. It doesn't matter how much you make or the type of child care you choose."

- Brad Butt, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville

Associated Links

www.canada.ca/taxsavings

Universal Child Care Benefit - Apply Now

Stay connected

To receive updates when new information is added to our website, you can:

Follow the CRA on Twitter - @CanRevAgency.

Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list.

Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader.

You can also watch our tax-related videos on YouTube.

Contact Information:

Rebecca Rogers
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960

Philippe Brideau
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
(613) 941-6269