Ontario Child Benefit and Restructuring of OW/ODSP Rates

For information on the Ontario Child Benefit and Restructuring of OW / ODSP Rates CLICK HERE

The Ontario Child Benefit was announced in March 2007 and will go to all 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). As a result, if a family leaves social assistance, they will not lose their child benefits.

The Ontario Child Benefit will be implemented in July 2008 and is scheduled to increase gradually from $50/month/child to $92/month/child by 2011. As of July, 2008, the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) will also no longer be deducted monthly from the cheques of families on OW and ODSP. While families on OW and ODSP will apparently be better off as a result of these changes, 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 and families will no longer receive a separate winter clothing allowance or back-to-school clothing allowance. Thus, a single mother on OW with one child, for example, will only be better off by $31/month as of July 2008, growing gradually to $50/month by 2011.

**For eligibility, be sure to file your 2007 tax returns**

If you have questions or concerns, please contact PCAP at (705) 749-9694 or email pcap@riseup.net