Childcare

You can get money for childcare if you have a job or are doing an employment assistance activity (training, volunteering, etc.) and it is the same amount whether or not it is a licensed or informal place you are getting the care from. However, childcare payments cannot be made to a parent, person supporting the child, or sibling who is under 18. You will need to provide receipts.

The maximum you can get for childcare is:

- For children ages 0-5 years - $390 per month
- For children ages 6-12 years - $346 per month (unless they have special circumstances like a serous disability they can get $390 a month but it has to be pre-approved)

In Toronto, there are also daily rates of:
For children ages 0-5 years - $18.00
- For children 6-10 years of age - $9.70 or $16.00 in the summer.

If you send your kids to after-school programs or camp, that may count as childcare and you may be able to get money for it.

If you are making money, you might not get money for childcare, but, you should be able to keep more money you make.

For example:
If you make $500 with no childcare expenses:
50% of $500 = $250
You would get $250 after the income deduction.

If you make $500 and have $300 in childcare expenses:
$500-$300=$200
50% of $200=$100 (they deduct 50% of what is left over)
$100+$300=$400 (your deducted earnings plus the money you spent on childcare equal your final income)
You would get $400 after the income deduction, adjusted for childcare expenses.

This is a mandatory benefit.

Childcare Start-Up Benefit
You may also qualify for up to $600 for up-front childcare.

If there is a change in your circumstances (like you are about to start a job or you have to pay a childcare registration fee) and you are starting childcare, you can get this benefit. You can get the childcare start-up money once every 12 months.

This is a mandatory benefit.