Got kids? Expect a cheque in the mail Monday

If you have kids under the age of 17, expect a big cheque in the mail from the federal government on Monday.

That’s because the first round of payments under the federal government’s enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) are expected to be released around July 20.

The UCCB was introduced in 2006 as a taxable benefit to help families cover the cost of day care programs — but parents receive the payments regardless of their level of income or whether they have a child in day care.

Back in January though, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government made changes (or enhancements) to the program that were announced in the 2015 federal budget in April.

So what does the payment mean for families? A pretty big chunk of change, actually.

Families will receive $160 a month for each child under age six (a boost to the former $100 a month payment). Plus, parents will receive an entirely new benefit of $60 per month for each child between the ages of six and 17 as part of the extended Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB).

But, since these payments are retroactive to Jan. 1, families will be receiving a lump sum payment to cover the period between January and June — meaning many people will be receiving more than $1,000. 

Most people don’t need to apply (if you’re already receiving your monthly UCCB amount, you don’t), but you can check the CRA website to see if you qualify.