Since You Asked ...

About the Universal Child Care Benefit

Q: If I am not already registered for the Universal Child Care Benefit, will I lose any benefits?

A: We realize that parenting can be hectic and there is often little time to fill out forms. Our solution is to allow payments to be received retroactively for a period of up to 11 months from when parents apply, without a financial penalty of any kind.

Q: Can I arrange to have my Benefit cheque automatically deposited into my bank account?

A: Yes. You can do so by completing the CRA T1-DD form or the PWGSC 485 form which is included with your cheque. You can also call toll free 1-800-387-1193 or TTY toll-free: 1 800- 665-0354.

Q: Is it more cost-efficient if I use direct deposit instead of having my Universal Child Care Benefit cheque mailed to me?

A: Yes. Cost-efficiency is a key concern for this Government and was a major consideration in the design of the Universal Child Care Benefit. Specifically, the Government of Canada saves approximately 87 percent of the total cost for issuing UCCB payments that are made by direct deposit versus those that are printed and mailed to benefit recipients. Those savings come from paper, printing, insertion and mailing costs.

Q: As a new parent, what application forms should I complete to become eligible for government benefits?

A: The “My Account” suite of electronic services provides parents with a direct and secure electronic self-serve option to apply for child benefits and credits. With the Apply for child benefits option parents can do all of the following at the same time:

• apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit and related provincial and territorial benefits;
• register children for the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit and related provincial programs; and
• enrol for the Universal Child Care Benefit.

In addition, residents of British Columbia and Ontario can use the Newborn Registration Service to complete their child's birth registration and apply for their child's Birth Certificate and Social Insurance Number. For parents in all other provinces and territories, please visit: www.servicecanada.gc.ca.