If you are a parent in Ontario, understanding the financial support available to you is crucial for managing household costs. The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) is a key provincial program designed to assist low- to moderate-income families. This guide will walk you through what the OCB is, who qualifies, how much you could receive for the 2025/2026 benefit year, and more. Read on for complete details on accessing this essential support.
What is the Ontario Child Benefit?
The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) is a tax-free monthly payment provided to eligible families in Ontario to help cover the costs of caring for children under 18. The goal of the OCB is to provide reliable support for essentials such as food, clothing, and housing, thereby improving the well-being of children in lower-income families.
The provincial government of Ontario entirely funds the program. However, the benefit is administered federally by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on its behalf. This structure allows the Province to deliver financial aid to residents in need, while leveraging the administrative infrastructure of the CRA to handle eligibility assessments, payment calculation and issuance.
Eligible families receive the OCB, along with the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), in a single consolidated monthly payment. This simplified approach prevents the need for separate applications or payment schedules for each benefit.
Who is Eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit?
To qualify for the OCB, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your children must be under 18 years old.
- You are the primary caregiver for the eligible children.
- You must be an Ontario resident.
- Adjusted family net income (AFNI) falls within established thresholds.
- You (and your spouse or common-law partner) file your income tax returns every year, even if you have no income.
Families with incomes over the thresholds may still receive partial OCB payments on a sliding scale, but benefits are reduced and eventually phased out entirely at higher income thresholds.
Some additional OCB eligibility factors:
- The parent or guardian with primary custody of the child can apply, regardless of work status
- Foster parents are eligible to apply for children under 18 in their foster care
Overall, the OCB is carefully targeted to provide the greatest financial assistance to lower-income families struggling the most with the high costs of raising children. But middle-income households can also receive support through partial OCB payments.
Why Is Filing Taxes Needed?
While the Ontario Child Benefits is intended to aid lower-income families, submitting tax returns annually remains crucial in qualifying for the benefit. Here’s why:
- The CRA depends on family income and other details from your tax return to calculate OCB eligibility and benefit amounts.
- OCB payments are based on the adjusted net family income reported on the prior year’s tax return. For example, the 2024 tax return data determines OCB payments from July 2025 to June 2026.
- If tax returns are not filed, OCB payments can be delayed or missed entirely until the information is updated.
Therefore, all families need to file tax returns to ensure their eligibility for the OCB is properly reassessed each year.
How Much is Child Benefit in Ontario?
The maximum Ontario Child Benefit payment for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year is:
- Up to $143.91 per month, or $1,727 per year for each eligible child.
Families earning $26,364 or less in adjusted net family income qualify for the full OCB amount. If the AFNI is above $26,364, your OCB payment is reduced by 8% of the portion over $25,646. Once family income reaches certain higher thresholds, payments phase out completely.
Here’s an example of how the OCB benefit amount is calculated:
- Family A has two children under 18 and an adjusted net family income of $25,000. They qualify for the full OCB amount of $1,727 per child annually. This means they will receive $287.82 per month in total ($143.91 per month per child).
- Family B has one child under 18 and an adjusted net family income of $30,000. Since their income exceeds the $25,646 threshold, they will receive a reduced OCB amount.
For shared custody (50/50), each parent receives 50% of the benefit they would have received if they had full custody.
To estimate the exact amount they will receive, families can use the CRA Child and Family Benefits Calculator, which factors in income and family size to calculate OCB payments.
Source: Ontario Child Benefit – ontario.ca
How to Apply for the Ontario Child Benefit
Applying for the Ontario Child Benefit is straightforward, as you automatically apply for the OCB when you apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Here are the steps:
- Submit an application for the Canada Child Benefit through the CRA, either online, by mail, or through direct contact.
- When completing the CCB application, provide all required information regarding dependents, marital status, income, custody arrangements, and any other family details.
- The CRA simultaneously assesses eligibility for both the CCB and OCB using the family income and details supplied.
- If approved, the CRA calculates the OCB amount based on adjusted family income and number of children. This OCB amount is added to the CCB payment.
- Combined CCB and OCB payments are issued together monthly to the recipient’s bank account.
Therefore, families simply need to complete one Canada Child Benefit application, and the CRA will automatically determine eligibility and calculate amounts for both programs in one consolidated process.
What Are the Ontario Child Benefit Payment Dates?
Since the Ontario Child Benefit is combined with the Canada Child Benefit, the payment schedule is aligned:
- Benefits are paid monthly
- Payments go out on the 20th of each month
- If the 20th falls on a weekend or public holiday, payments are issued on the last business day prior
Here are the CCB payment dates 2025:
- January 20, 2025
- February 20, 2025
- March 20, 2025
- April 17, 2025
- May 20, 2025
- June 20, 2025
- July 18, 2025
- August 20, 2025
- September 19, 2025
- October 20, 2025
- November 20, 2025
- December 12, 2025
Other Child and Family Benefits in Ontario
In addition to the OCB, the Province of Ontario offers various other programs and benefits designed to aid families raising children, such as:
- Child Care Fee Subsidy: This program helps families cover the cost of licensed child care, depending on their income and family size. Families can apply for this subsidy through their local municipal government, which assesses eligibility based on income.
- Child Disability Benefit (CDB): This tax-free benefit provides additional financial support to families caring for children with severe disabilities. Families who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) are automatically considered for the CDB. The benefit can provide up to $3,173 per year ($264.41 per month) for each child with a disability.
- Ontario Trillium Benefit: This program helps families with low to moderate incomes manage additional costs, such as energy bills, property taxes, and sales taxes. The benefit combines payments from three programs: the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (if applicable).
Families can check their eligibility for these programs and apply through the Government of Ontario website or their local municipal office.
Source: Province of Ontario, Child Family Benefits – canada.ca
Child Benefits Programs in Other Provinces
In addition to the Ontario Child Benefit, provincial and territorial child benefits programs are available to families across Canada. Here are some of the main provincial child benefits:
Summary
The Ontario Child Benefit is a vital, tax-free support system for families. To ensure you receive this benefit, apply for the Canada Child Benefit and file your taxes annually. This financial aid can make a significant difference in providing for your children’s needs.
FAQs related to the Child Benefit Ontario
How do I apply for the Ontario Child Benefit?
You apply for the OCB when applying for the Canada Child Benefit. The CRA automatically assesses eligibility for both programs based on your family details.
Where does the money for the OCB come from?
The OCB is funded entirely by the Province of Ontario, but delivered by the federal Canada Revenue Agency.
Why should I file taxes to receive the OCB?
You must file taxes every year for the CRA to assess your eligibility and calculate your OCB amount, even if you have low or no income.
When will I receive my OCB payments?
OCB is paid monthly on the 20th, together with the Canada Child Benefit.
How much is the maximum 2025/2026 OCB benefit?
For 2024/2025, the maximum OCB amount is $143.91 per month, or $1,727 annually, for each eligible child under 18.
Do both parents get the OCB for shared custody?
For 50/50 shared custody, the OCB payment is split equally between households.
What other child benefits are available in Ontario?
Other programs include the Canada Child Benefit, child care fee subsidy, Child Disability Benefit, and the Trillium Benefit.
