Toronto 
**Parents to Get New $400 Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit Starting April 26, 2021**
The Ontario government is expanding the Support for Learners program to include secondary school students to help offset education expenses. Support will be available for those who attend a public or private school or who are homeschooled.
In January 2021, students aged 13 through Grade 12 will be eligible for funding under an expanded Support for Learners program.
The government says this additional funding will provide support for families impacted by school closure during Ontario Lockdown.
“While Ontario schools remain safe, we won’t take any chances following the holidays — we will pivot to teacher-led online learning to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Minister Lecce. “We are providing direct financial support to parents of elementary and now high school children to help them get through this pandemic.”
Minister of Finance Rod Phillips said, “We have heard from parents that new expenses to support their kid’s education in this COVID-19 era are straining their pocketbooks. This $380 million investment in families builds on the $378 million provided to parents during the first wave of COVID-19. So, for example, an Ontario family with three children, including one with special needs, would receive $1,300 this year to help cover the costs of an accessible workspace and technology to enable learning online.”
The application deadline for Support for Learners for children or youth aged 0 to 12 and for children or youth aged 0 to 21 with special needs is being extended to February 8, 2021.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT
Eligible parents will receive a one-time per child payment of:
- $200 for students aged 13 through Grade 12
Support will be available for those who attend a public or private school or who are homeschooled.
HOW TO APPLY FOR $200
The deadline to apply is February 8, 2021.
Application instructions will be available on the Support for Learners web page starting in January 2021.
Secondary school student applications will be open from January 11, 2021 to February 8, 2021.
- Only one parent should apply and the parent who applies should have custody of the child.
- The application form available online will need the name of your child’s school and school board, your child’s date of birth, your banking information and a valid email address.
- If you are unable to provide banking information and require a cheque, you can submit a special request for one.
- You will receive an email confirmation with an application reference number after you submit your application. Payment will be dispersed through direct deposit within two weeks.
According to the website, payment through cheques will take up to several months from the date you apply.
Applications can only be submitted online.
i am still waiying for the funds its been over a month and I still haven’t got it yet
Hello
I did not received the payment on April 26th, it said to contact if haven’t received payment by may 10th . I am trying to contact the given 1888-444-3770 but not going through. could you please help.
Hi there,
It said we can reapply the support for learners in May 3 to May 17 if we missed before. Where can I find the website? Please advise. Thanks
The government has not announced the details. We will update this article once they release the details.
i also applied and not received
I have tried numerous times to apply but have been not successful. I have three children aged 12, 14, 17 all in school in the Belleville area. Thank you
If this is closed now why was it not announced better, I did not hear anything about this till now. We could really use the help as I’m sure most people can.
Hi dear im trying to apply for covid 19 child benefit and also how to be back paid
hi there , I’m so confusing how to apply for covid 19 child benefits
Nice announcement. Now how can parents and families actually get this
Same thing happened to us, both kids are in public schools, but couldn’t apply now…hopefully the government can extend the application window so that there is no kid left behind.
Applied and also didn’t receive. Loving this Ford government!
I also tried to apply and couldn’t
thanks Ontario
Hi My name is Dina Mesfin. I have two kids
My son, Lewi Fasil born march 26, 2003, and going to St. Patrick secondary school
my daughter, Ruth Fasil born on august 8, 2005, and going to St. Patrick too. I tried to apply on Feb 8 but i couldn’t because we had no power at our bulding and now i do not have access to apply
payment is not WITHIN 2 WEEKS, APPROX 2 weeks.