May 9, 2015– London, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Harper Government is extending the application deadline to receive the enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) until May 15 so that more families can receive their UCCB cheque in July. At the London Sports and Activity Expo, the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, highlighted the extension today and asked for help from the media and the public to encourage families to apply for the benefit. A new video, “The Enhanced UCCB – Your Kids Your Way”, was also launched today to help inform Canadian families about the benefits available.
The majority of families with children, approximately 3.8 million, are known and will automatically receive the enhanced UCCB or be contacted by the Government to confirm their information. However, an estimated 200,000 eligible families are not currently captured by the Government’s UCCB system and may miss out on receiving money that is owed to them unless they apply. It is estimated that about 69,000 families with children in Ontario including about 2,500 families with children in London are not currently registered. In 2015 alone, this represents potentially millions of dollars in unclaimed benefits.
Under the proposed enhancements to the UCCB, families would receive almost $2,000 per year for each child under 6 and $720 per year for each child aged 6 through 17. The new benefit amounts would be retroactive to January 1, 2015 and be reflected in monthly payments to families in July 2015. The proposed enhancements to the UCCB are expected to more than double the number of families that benefit from 1.6 million to more than 4 million.
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.
“Now that the Harper Government has balanced our budget, we are helping hard-working families balance theirs. That’s why we want to ensure that every family with children receives the enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit. 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. Apply now so you can receive the money that is owed to you.”
– The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development
“Our Government believes parents are best positioned to decide what kind of child care is best for their children and for their family’s individual situation. I encourage all parents in London North Centre and across Canada to take advantage of this great benefit.”
– Susan Truppe, Member of Parliament for London North Centre
Aaron Bell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Employment and Social Development
819-994-2482
aaron.bell@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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