Ontario is providing a new COVID-19 child benefit to help families with younger children cope with the additional costs they might have incurred because of the pandemic. The new benefit is set to begin on Monday April 26th, said a statement from Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce on Sunday.
“As we have done before, our government is again providing direct relief to families to help offset additional costs incurred as a result of the pandemic. I am pleased to confirm that payments to parents through the Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit will begin tomorrow, April 26, 2021, to help working parents of students aged 0 through Grade 12, and up to age 21 for children and youth with special needs, with direct financial support during this pandemic," said Lecce.
The statement said the government will begin issuing payments of $400 for each child or youth up to Grade 12, or $500 for each child or youth, with special needs, up to age 21.
The province will issue the new payments by e-transfer, direct deposit or cheque, based on what parents chose when they applied for the Support for Learners program. Payments will be made individually per child, youth or student to the account of the parent or guardian who applied for their child or to secondary students who are over the age of 18 and applied on their own.
If you applied for more than one child, you may not receive all payments at the same time said the government statement.
Parents who did not apply for the Support For Learners program will have the opportunity to sign up beginning next week, said the province.
"COVID-19 has imposed many costs on moms, dads and caregivers across the province, and we are committed to helping them through this incredible challenge. To make this easier on families, individuals who previously received the Support for Learners payments will not be required to reapply — you will automatically receive your payment," said Lecce.
For further information parents can contact the provincial call centre — toll-free at 1-888-444-3770, and toll-free TTY at 1-800-268-7095.
