How funding is calculated for the Affordable Child Care Benefit

Last updated on May 18, 2022

The amount of funding available to families is based on these factors.

 

Family size

The number of children who are living at home and whether or not any of them have a designated special need.

 

Children who have special needs

Children who have a designated special need and require extra support may be eligible for an additional $150 per month towards the cost of child care.

The combined total of the special needs supplement and the Affordable Child Care Benefit cannot be more than the rate charged by the child care provider. If it is, the supplement amount will be reduced so that the combined amount is equal to the child care provider's rate.

 

Type of child care

The type of child care, and age of children determines the level of funding.

 

Amount of care needed

In some cases, the number of days per week that child care is needed is a factor in determining how much funding your family may receive. If you require less than 20 days of care per month, the amount of funding is prorated.

 

Household income

For most families, the level of funding is calculated based on the combined gross annual amount that a child’s parents or guardians earn, less deductions for family size and children who have a designated special need. Income is calculated based on information from your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment or an income declaration form.

Here's an example of the formula that uses income from your CRA Notice of Assessment


Family's adjusted annual income = total gross income (line 15000) – social assistance payments (line 14500) – ($2000 x (number of family members – 2)) – ($3000 x number of children who have a designated special need)


This means, depending on the type of care used:

  • Families who earn approximately $0 to $45,000 (after adjustments are calculated) may qualify for full funding
  • Families that earn $45,000 to $111,000 (after adjustments are calculated) may qualify for partial funding

 


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