Universal Child Care Plan -- Payments resume!

This morning I received a statement in the mail explaining that monies had been deposited in my account via the Universal Child Care Benefit. My family had experienced a stall in these payments because I was late to file my tax return -- the government craftily ties payments to tax returns so, if you haven't filed, you aren't receiving this benefit.

As you probably know, Canada's Universal Child Care Plan "helps families balance work and family responsibilites" by offering a set amount of money per child to go towards daycare and/or activites for kids who have a parent staying at home. The government literature states that, "the other part of the Plan supports provinces, territories, and businesses to create new child care spaces across Canada." Whether this will work or not, I don't know. However, it's great to have a little bit of extra dough coming in to help us pay for classes and programs or care for our two young kids.

You need to register and apply for the Benefit via this Canada Revenue Agency web page: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/uccb/ and you can find out more about the program and its benefits by visiting: http://www.universalchildcare.ca.

How do you feel about the Universal Child Care Benefit?

Comments

[Leanne]

It seems like a good idea, unfortunately I didn't qualify this year, I'm still trying to figure out why....

Is there any reason it has to be so complicated?!?

Sigh.

[Lisa]

Really? Last I heard, everyone who has children 0-6 years old qualifies for this benefit. Is that not the case?

[Jamie]

Good for those kids under six, but I guess my 6 & 11 year old don't cost anything??? He he he!!! I know they have to have a cut off, but both of my girls still require childcare... I am glad though to live in a country that does help people out it could be a whole lot worse!!

[hanaboomom]

I'd still rather have the money directed to increasing the number of affordable daycare spaces available to working families. Much as it's nice to get a few extra bucks every month, I'm not sure this is the most efficient way to fix the overall problem we have with lack of daycare spaces.

[Karrine]

Not all parents use daycare centres which is I believe they are offering parents a 'choice'. I have always had inhome care with the help of a service like GreatAupair.com. Unfortunately the under six requirement doesn't help me.