Minister Bergen encourages the almost 10,000 Montréal families not currently registered for the enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit to sign up

MONTRÉAL, May 8, 2015 /CNW/ - An estimated 8,400 families with children in Montréal are eligible to receive money under the proposed enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), but are at risk of not receiving the benefit unless they apply. Today, the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development, announced at the Norman Berman Children's Library in Montréal that the application deadline to receive the UCCB has been extended until May 15 so that more families can receive their UCCB cheque in July 2015.

The majority of families with children, approximately 3.8 million, are known and will automatically receive the enhanced UCCB or be contacted by the Government to confirm their information. However, many eligible families are not currently captured by the Government's UCCB system and may miss out on receiving money that is owed to them 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 the age of 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 www.canada.ca/taxsavings to find out how you can apply.

Quick Facts

                                                                                      

• All families with children will benefit from the new Family Tax Cuts and Benefits Plan, which includes the Family Tax Cut and enhancements to the UCCB, Child Care Expenses Deduction and Children's Fitness Tax Credit.
• Combined with tax relief introduced by the Government of Canada since 2006, a typical family of four can receive up to $6,600 in tax relief and enhanced benefits in 2015.
• Low- and middle-income families will receive two-thirds of the overall benefits provided by the Government of Canada's new family measures.
• The Family Tax Cut will eliminate or significantly reduce the difference in federal tax payable by a one-earner couple relative to a two-earner couple with a similar family income.

Quote

"We recognize that families across this country have a variety of child care needs and every family with children deserves support. The UCCB provides direct financial support and respects each family's choice in how they choose to look after their children. Apply now so you can receive the money that is owed to you." 
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development

Associated Links

www.canada.ca/taxsavings
Backgrounder on new measures: Helping Families Prosper 

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Austin Jean, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of State for Social Development, 819-953-2350; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]