Ontario’s Education Minister said parents can expect to receive direct payments from the Ford government to start on April 26, 2021.

Stephen Lecce announced this at a news conference in Durham on Thursday.

The Ford government has set aside $ 980 million in the budget for direct payments to parents as Ontario Covid-19 Child Benefit, which is designed to help cover the increase in costs to parents in the wake of the pandemic.

Parents will receive $ 400 for each child aged 0 to Grade 12. Parents with children with special needs will be paid $ 500 per child under the age of 21.

The Province has previously made direct payments to parents on two previous occasions under the Support For Learners program, which was announced at the beginning of the pandemic. Previously, parents received $ 200 for a child and $ 250 for a child with special needs, costing the Ontario government approximately $ 868 million.

The new funds will flow automatically to those who previously received payments from the provinces. On the other hand, parents who did not apply for this program may apply for the new Child Benefit between May 3-17.

“Every parent in Ontario has faced new pressures due to COVID-19. For some, that includes financial challenges caused by the pandemic. For many, it includes new expenses to support virtual learning or child care. And for all, it includes anxiety about their child’s future in a world that will look different than it does today. While our government can’t make this pressure go away, we can provide a helping hand.” – Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said in his written statement on Wednesday.