Families to receive notice of rate increase in this month�s Child Benefit cheque

Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, today reminded families that the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit rate for the first child will increase annually effective this month. "Families in receipt of the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB) will receive a notice along with their regular cheque mail-out this month outlining the increase in rates," said Minister Wiseman.

Introduced in 1999, the NLCB is a child benefit which is combined with the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) provided to low-income families by Canada Customs Revenue Agency (CCRA). For the past two years, government has re-invested savings resulting from demographic changes in this program back into the NLCB. Families with incomes less than $17,397 receive the maximum benefit, while families with incomes between $17,397 and $22,397 receive a partial benefit. The cost of increasing the rate structure is approximately $215,000 for 2003/04.

The provincial increase of $12 annually for the first child along with the federal increase of the first child rate under the National Child Benefit (NCB) by $188 annually, means families in the province will receive a combined child benefit of approximately $2,848 annually for the first child. The increase comes into effect this month.

"We are very pleased to continue and expand the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit and to ensure families across the province are kept informed of these changes," said Minister Wiseman. "This increase, along with the increased rates of the National Child Benefit, will help in addressing the needs of a significant number of families in our province. Currently, approximately 20,500 families with 32,000 children receive the NLCB."

Media contact: Simon Lono, Communications, (709) 729-4062

2003 07 04                                        3:50 p.m.