Transition Child Benefit

What is it?

The Transition Child Benefit is a temporary benefit that will be issued to ongoing Ontario Works clients who have dependent children under the age of 18 if they are

not currently receiving the Ontario Child Benefit or National Child Benefit Supplement, or
are receiving less than the maximum Ontario Child Benefit or National Child Benefit Supplement.

Who is eligible?

Ontario Works clients who may be eligible for the Transition Child Benefit include those that:

Are newcomers to Canada (eg. refugee claimants)
Have recently moved to Ontario
Have a newborn child
Did not file income taxes
Experienced a substantial income change from the previous year
Are facing administrative delays for receipt of OCB
Have a spouse receiving less than the maximum Ontario Child Benefit or National Child Benefit Supplement amount.

How much can be issued?

The maximum Transition Child Benefit that can be issued is $213/dependent child/month. The amount issued depends on the amount of Ontario Child Benefit and/or National Child Benefit Supplement a client is currently receiving (a client receiving no Ontario Child Benefit or National Child Benefit Supplement will receive the maximum Transition Child Benefit of $213).

How long can it issued?

The Transition Child Benefit will be issued for a maximum of 4 months unless Canada Revenue Agency determines a client is not eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit or the National Child Benefit Supplement. In these special circumstances, clients need to contact their Ontario Works caseworker to discuss ongoing eligibility for the Transition Child Benefit.

What is my responsibility if I am eligible for this benefit?

Clients that are eligible for and receive the Transition Child Benefit will need to contact Canada Revenue Agency as soon as possible to

file their income tax, and
apply for the National Child Benefit Supplement (eligibility for the Ontario Child Benefit will automatically be assessed).

Canada Revenue Agency generally determines eligibility for the Ontario Child Benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement within 4 months.

What if I need more information?

For more information about the Transition Child Benefit, speak to your Ontario Works caseworker.

Access the link for more information about the Ontario Child Benefit.

For information about filing income tax contact the Canada Revenue Agency at:

1 -800-959-8281
(for general inquiries)

1-800-959-2221
(to request forms)

1-800-665-0354
(TTY)

For more information about applying for the Canada Child Tax Benefit/National Child Benefit Supplement, contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-2221 .