Minister Findlay encourages families to apply for the increased Universal child care benefit (UCCB)

July 17, 2015 Mississauga, ON 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 benefited 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. Or Contact Your Tax Professional