Email this pageAmendment to Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, O. Reg. 298/01 – New Child Care Benefit Program Payments Excluded from Income
Subject: Amendment to Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, O. Reg. 298/01 – New Child Care Benefit Program Payments Excluded from income
Legislation/Regulation Release 06-03
Operational
A new regulation (Ontario Regulation 424/2006) amending O. Reg. 298/01 was filed on August 29, 2006.
The amendment excludes payments made under the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) Act from households’ income for the purpose of calculating rent geared-to-income in section 50 of O. Reg. 298/01 [refer to subsection 50 (3), paragraph 56].
The child care benefit is a new federal initiative that provides direct financial assistance to parents on behalf of children under the age of six. The benefit is paid in instalments of $100 per month per child (up to $1,200 per year). The UCCB payments are made on or about the 20th of each month starting July 2006. The amendment was required because the payment is authorized under new federal legislation B the Universal Child Care Benefit Act. As a result, it did not fall under any of the current list of exclusions to income.
Further information on the UCCB can be found at: http://www.universalchildcare.ca.
The Government of Ontario announced in July 2006 that the payment should not be considered as income for major provincial income-tested programs including rent geared-to-income assistance. The regulation change was required to officially implement the policy.
If you have any questions, please contact Roy Sanger at 416-585-6405 or email: roy.sanger@mah.gov.on.ca.
Heather Driver, Manager
Social Housing Reform Act Policy Unit
Housing Division, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
September 6, 2006