The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) gives financial assistance to families in Ontario who have children under 18 to cover the costs of things like childcare, housing, and regular living expenses.
So, if you live in Ontario and have children under 18, you may be eligible for this valuable government benefit, which offers monthly payments to low to moderate-income families.
What is the Ontario Child Benefit?
The Ontario Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made by the Ontario provincial government to eligible families with children under 18 years of age. It is intended to help parents and caregivers better afford the living expenses associated with raising kids.
Although funded by the province, the OCB is administered and paid by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The OCB was introduced in 2007 to provide an added layer of support beyond the Canada Child Benefit. It is one of several provincial child benefit programs across the country.
Who is Eligible to Receive the Ontario Child Benefit?
To receive the Ontario Child Benefit, you must meet the five eligibility criteria below:
- Residency and Caregiving: You must be a resident of Ontario and the primary caregiver of a child under 18 years of age.
- Immigration Status: You or your spouse or partner must have legal status in Canada, such as being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, Indigenous person, or protected person. If you are a temporary resident, you can still qualify, but only if you have lived in Canada for the past 18 months and have a valid permit in your 19th month of living here. Your permit cannot say “does not confer status.”
- Tax Filing Requirements: Both you and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one, need to have submitted your income tax and benefits return from the previous year, even if you did not have any taxable income.
- Income Thresholds: Your family’s adjusted income after all deductions must be within the program’s income limits.
- Child Registration: You must have registered your children for the Canada Child Benefit, as OCB eligibility is automatically assessed when you apply for the CCB.
How to Apply for the Ontario Child Benefit
If you think you may be eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit, the next step is to apply. You have three options to apply for the OCB:
Option 1: Apply During Birth Registration
If your child was born in Ontario, the easiest way to apply is during the birth registration process.
When registering the birth (either online, by phone, or by paper), simply provide your Social Insurance Number. This allows the hospital or birth registrar to securely share your details with the Canada Revenue Agency to get you signed up.
Please note that if your child was born outside of Ontario, this method is not applicable.
Option 2: Apply Through the CRA’s My Account Portal
If you did not apply at birth registration, you can submit your application electronically through the CRA’s MyAccount online portal.
To use this method, you must first register for a CRA MyAccount and provide some basic personal identification information.
Once your account is set up, you can log in and navigate to “Apply for child benefits” to complete and submit the child benefits application.
Option 3: Apply by Paper Application Form
The third option is to apply using paper forms obtained from the CRA website or by calling them directly. Here are five steps:
Step 1: Download and print form RC66, the Canada Child Benefits Application form.
Step 2: Complete all sections of the application form. Make sure it is signed and dated.
Step 3: Gather supporting documents like birth certificates, income records, immigration status papers, etc.
Step 4: Mail the signed application and documents to your CRA tax centre.
Step 5: The address can be found on your latest CRA notice of assessment or by calling 1-800-387-1193.
What’s the Maximum OCB Amount You Can Receive?
If approved, the amount you are entitled to receive depends on four factors:
- Marital Status: Your status as single, married, or common-law can affect the payment.
- Family Income: Your adjusted family net income plays a crucial role in determining the final amount.
- Number of Children: The more eligible children under 18 you have, the higher the potential benefit.
- Ages of Children: The ages of your children are a factor in the calculation.
For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, the maximum OCB amounts are $143.91 per month ($1,727 annually) for each eligible child under 18.
These maximum amounts are reduced based on your adjusted family net income. As your income rises above the 2025-2026 threshold of $26,364, your OCB payment will decrease incrementally.
How Does The CCB Affect Your OCB Payment Amount?
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to families with children, similar to the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB). The two programs are interconnected in terms of administration and payment:
- The CRA calculates and issues both OCB and CCB payments.
- Eligibility for CCB is a prerequisite to receiving OCB.
- OCB and CCB payments are combined into a single monthly payment deposit.
Essentially, the OCB tops up the amount you receive from CCB. The maximum OCB entitlement is added to your CCB payment each month.
The table below outlines the maximum OCB and CCB benefit amounts for the current period (July 2025 to June 2026):
| Benefit | Maximum Monthly Payment Per Child |
| Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) | Up to $143.91 (for child under 18) |
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) – Child under 6 years | Up to $666.41 |
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) – Child 6-17 years | $562.33 |
| Combined OCB + CCB – Child under 6 | $143.91+ $666.41 = $810.32 |
| Combined OCB + CCB – Child 6-17 | $143.91 + $562.33 = $706.24 |
In summary, the CCB provides the base amount, while the OCB adds to it. Your OCB depends on getting CCB for your child, and the two benefits are paid together.
Source: Canada child benefit (CCB) How much you can get – canada.ca
When Will You Receive OCB Payments?
The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) is paid monthly along with the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).
If approved for the OCB, you can expect to receive payments, usually by direct deposit, around the 20th of each month. The Canada Revenue Agency makes payments on behalf of the Government of Ontario.
For the current 2026 period, here are the exact Ontario Child Benefit payment dates:
- January 20, 2026
- February 20, 2026
- March 20, 2026
- April 20, 2026
- May 20, 2026
- June 19, 2026
- July 20, 2026
- August 20, 2026
- September 18, 2026
- October 20, 2026
- November 20, 2026
- December 11, 2026
For the up-to-date information for future years, you can refer to the official CRA page: Canada child benefit (CCB) – Payment dates.
Your first payment will be issued within 8 weeks of submitting an online application or 11 weeks if you submit a paper application.
To continue receiving benefits, you must file your income tax returns every year before the deadline with no interruptions. Late filing or lapses in filing can lead to payment delays or discontinuation of your OCB.
What to do if you do not receive a payment
If you do not receive your OCB payment as scheduled, there could be three reasons:
- Your eligibility has changed due to a change in your family situation or income
- You have not filed your income tax return for the previous year
- There is an issue with your banking information on file with the CRA
If you have any concerns about a missing payment, contact the CRA at 1-800-387-1193 for assistance.
Maximizing Your Ontario Child Benefit Payment Amount
Since OCB payments are reduced as your family income rises, one strategy to maximize your benefit amount is to lower your adjusted net income wherever possible.
While no one recommends artificial income reduction maneuvers, you can explore legitimate tax minimization tactics like:
- Claim childcare expenses.
- Deduct adoption costs if applicable.
- Make charitable donations up to 75% of your net income.
- Claim eligible medical expenses for you or your family members.
- Claim student loan interest paid.
- File tuition, education, and textbook amounts paid for post-secondary schooling.
- Split income with spouse to distribute into lower tax brackets.
- Contribute to RRSPs to lower taxable income.
- Deduct other tax expenses like accounting fees, investment counsel fees, union dues, etc.
Finally, consult with a certified tax professional to identify all legitimate deductions and credits you can leverage to reduce your adjusted net income. This will ensure the highest possible OCB entitlement.
What Other Ontario Programs Help with Child Expenses?
In addition to the OCB, there are four other Ontario programs that can help with child-related expenses:
- Ontario Child Care Tax Credit (CARE): A tax credit that provides financial relief for child care costs to families with low to moderate incomes and is fully refundable.
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding nutritional support: Monthly payments to help with the costs of healthy eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP): A program offering financial assistance and resources to help young parents complete high school and strengthen their parenting abilities.
- Transition Child Benefit: This is a special payment for families who are already part of Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). It helps cover costs for your children (under 18) if you are:
- Waiting for your CCB or OCB to start
- Receiving less than the full amount of CCB or OCB benefits
- Not receiving CCB or OCB at all for a short time (for example, after having a newborn).
- Healthy Smiles Ontario: A government dental program for eligible children under 17 in Ontario.
Together, these programs provide additional financial support to help Ontario families manage the many costs associated with raising children, from early childhood to school-age and beyond.
The bottom line
The Ontario Child Benefit provides a valuable supplement for your family. Make sure to check your eligibility and apply as early as possible. File taxes annually and use legitimate tax minimization strategies to maximize your monthly payments.
FAQs related to the Ontario Child Benefit
Where can I get the application forms?
Forms can be downloaded from the CRA website or requested by calling 1-800-387-1193.
Why do OCB payment amounts decrease at higher incomes?
The OCB is intended to support lower-income families. Payment amounts decrementally reduce above an income threshold so higher earners receive less.
When will I receive my first OCB payment?
Within 8 weeks of applying online or 11 weeks by paper application. Ongoing payments are issued around the 20th of each month.
Do I need to reapply for the OCB every year?
No, just ensure you file your tax return annually before the deadline with no lapses to continue receiving benefits.
Is the OCB taxable income?
No, OCB payments are not taxable and do not need to be reported on your tax return.
What expenses can OCB funds be used for?
OCB money can be spent however you see fit to care for your child, whether for food, clothing, housing, education costs or other needs.
