Changes to the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB)

The following material is from the Canada Revenue Agency website that explains the UCCB.

Summary: Under proposed legislation, the Government is increasing and expanding the UCCB starting in 2015. The UCCB is being enhanced by providing up to $1,920 per year for each child under the age of 6, and introducing a new benefit of up to $720 per year for children aged 6 through 17.

The Government of Canada is introducing changes to the law to increase and expand the UCCB. Enhanced payments for the universal child care benefit would take effect as of January 2015 and would begin to be reflected in monthly payments to recipients in July 2015.

The UCCB is increasing for children under the age of six. Effective January 1, 2015, parents will receive a benefit of up to $160 per month for each child under the age of six, up from $100 per month. If the changes to the law pass, parents will receive up to $1,920 per child per year.

The UCCB is also expanding to children aged six through 17. Effective January 1, 2015, parents will receive a benefit of up to $60 per month for children aged six through 17. If the changes to the law pass, parents will receive up to $720 per child per year.

The first enhanced payment will be issued in July 2015 and will include any retroactive payments for the period of January 2015 to June 2015.

If you previously applied for or received the Canada child tax benefit (CCTB) or the UCCB for a child or children who are under 18 and who are still in your care, the increase will be applied automatically. If your personal information has not changed, since you received the CCTB or UCCB, you do not need to reapply.  We will pay the enhanced UCCB to you automatically based on the information we have on file.