Ontario Parents to Get Another $200 Payout per Child to Offset Education Costs, Premier Says

Ontario Premier Doug Ford attends a briefing, as the Provincial Government announce a series of measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, In Toronto on Nov, 13, 2020. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

The Ontario premier announced that parents can receive more financial aid to help offset their children’s education costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says parents of children aged 12 or under can receive a one-time payment of $200 per child, and $250 per child for those aged 21 or under with special needs.

Ford made the announcement at the Civic Centre Resource Library in Vaughan on Monday, together with province’s education minister Stephen Lecce and finance minister Rod Phillips.

“During this very difficult period, our parents have been the unsung heroes in the fight against COVID-19, whether it’s screening their child before school or assisting them with remote learning,” Ford said.

“Parents have been there for us, and our government will continue to be there for them. That’s why we’re providing additional payments to help families with some of the costs of learning and childcare as we battle the second wave of COVID-19.”

Parents can apply for the payout through the Support for Learners web page, where they can choose to receive the payment either through e-transfer or direct deposit. Payment is expected to arrive in about two weeks upon approval.

This will be the second payment to Ontario parents, totaling $380 million, according to the Ford government, which builds on the $378 million provided to them during the first wave of COVID-19.

The Support for Learners program is open to parents whose child attends a “publicly funded, private, First Nation operated or federally operated school (either in-person or online), is homeschooled, is enrolled in child care, or is at home.”

Applications will remain open until Jan. 15, 2021.