- Who is eligible for the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB)?
- When do I apply for the UCCB?
- My child(ren) does/do not go to daycare. Can I receive the UCCB anyway?
- How do I apply for the UCCB?
- After I complete the Canada Child Benefits Application, where do I send it?
- If I file a Canada Child Benefits Application, when can I expect to receive my first UCCB payment?
1. Who is eligible for the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB)?
To receive the UCCB, all the following conditions must be met.
a) You must live with the child, and the child must be under the age of 6;
b) You must be the person who is primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child;
This means you are responsible for such things as supervising the child's daily activities and needs, making sure the child's medical needs are met, and arranging for child care when necessary. If there is a female parent who lives with the child, we usually consider her to be this person. However, it could be the father, a grandparent, or a guardian.
c) You must be a resident of Canada;
We consider you to be a resident of Canada when you establish sufficient residential ties in Canada.
d) You or your spouse or common-law partner must be:
- Canadian citizen;
- "permanent resident" (as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act);
- "protected person" (as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act); or
- "temporary resident" (as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month (other than one that states "does not confer status"). If this is your situation, you should not apply before the 19th month.
2. When do I apply for the UCCB?
Generally, you should apply for the UCCB as soon as possible after:
- your child is born;
- a child starts to live with you; or
- you become a resident of Canada.
3. My child(ren) does/do not go to daycare. Can I receive the UCCB anyway?
The UCCB supports Canadian families in their child care choices, whether or not the children are in institutionalized daycare programs.
4. How do I apply for the UCCB?
Enrolment for the UCCB is processed through the Canada Child Benefits Application. You can download the application form or get a copy by contacting us at 1-800-959-2221. You can also order a copy of the form through our online ordering service or apply online on My Account by using the Apply for child benefits service.
5. After I complete the Canada Child Benefits Application, where do I send it?
Send your completed application to your tax centre. After we process your application, we will advise you of your CCTB and your UCCB eligibility and entitlements.
6. If I file a Canada Child Benefits Application, when can I expect to receive my first UCCB payment?
You can expect to hear from us within 80 calendar days after we get your application by mail or after you have applied online on My Account by using the Apply for child benefits service. In other words, we will issue a payment, notice or explanation to you within 80 calendar days.
