Pembroke, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, M.P. for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, is urging all parents with children under the age of 18 to ensure their eligible children are enrolled in the enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB).
“All Canadian families with children under the age of 18 can benefit from our Government’s Family Benefits package,” said MP Gallant. “While the Government is aware of the vast majority of families who qualify for the enhanced UCCB, some families are at risk of not receiving benefits.”
The Government of Canada is aware of approximately 3.8 million eligible families with children, and these families will automatically receive the enhanced UCCB or be contacted by the Government to confirm their information. However, many eligible families have not registered their children, and may miss out on receiving the UCCB unless they apply. 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 cherylgallant.com and click on the “Help Your Children Reach for the Stars” button to learn how to apply.