Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan make it easier for parents of newborns to apply for benefits
News Release
Four-in-one service means less work for new parents when registering the birth of their baby
January 11, 2016 Regina, Saskatchewan Employment and Social Development Canada
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have partnered with eHealth Saskatchewan (eHealth) to make it easier for parents to apply for federal and provincial benefits for their newborn children. The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Dustin Duncan, Saskatchewan Minister of Health, today announced the Bundled Birth Service, which gives Saskatchewan parents the option to apply for a Social Insurance Number and Canada child benefits for their newborn at the same time as they register the birth of their child.
Quick Facts
- After the birth of their baby, parents will receive an improved and more user-friendly Registration of Live Birth form—available in health care facilities throughout Saskatchewan. This form makes it easier for parents to register the birth of their child and also apply for related government services, including:
- Social Insurance Number through ESDC;
- Canada child benefits through the CRA;
- Saskatchewan Health Card through eHealth; and
- Saskatchewan Birth Certificate through eHealth.
- With their child’s Social Insurance Number, parents can open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and then apply for various Government of Canada programs and benefits including the Canada Learning Bond and the Canada Education Savings Grant.
- Applying early for Canada child benefits ensures that parents receive the credit and benefit payments to which they are entitled in a timely manner and in the right amount.
- In addition to registering births, eHealth is responsible for providing health services cards and registering deaths, marriages and changes of name that occur in the province.
- The Bundled Birth Service is already available for parents living in other provinces.
Quotes
“It’s an important time for parents, when a baby is born. Through our collaboration with the Province of Saskatchewan, we are simplifying processes to allow parents to spend more quality time with their newborn.”
– The Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“The Government of Canada is committed to providing faster service that supports and assists Canadians. That includes helping them obtain the benefits to which they are entitled. The Canada Revenue Agency is actively partnering with federal and provincial departments to make it simple and easy for families across Canada to access Canada child benefits at a time when life can be particularly demanding.”
– The Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue
“Welcoming a newborn into the world can be an exciting and very busy time for parents. Our government is committed to supporting new parents, and this new birth bundling package will make it quicker and easier for them to access government services related to the birth of their child.”
– The Honorable Dustin Duncan, Saskatchewan Minister of Health
“We understand that new parents have their hands and arms full when they welcome a new addition into their family and don’t have a lot of extra time to be filling out paperwork. Giving parents access to four optional government services through one comprehensive form will mean more free time to spend with their loved ones.”
– Susan Antosh, CEO of eHealth Saskatchewan
Associated Links
Contacts
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Philippe Brideau
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-941-6269
Lisa Adam
eHealth Saskatchewan
Office: 306-337-0976
Cell: 306-540-5816
lisa.adam@ehealthsask.ca
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