It’s safe to assume that the great majority of women have no intention of becoming single mothers. The majority of the time, becoming a single mother is the result of a broken relationship. As a result, most women with children do not manage their finances as though they may one day become single mothers. New single moms are unaware of the financial assistance accessible to them when parenting their children alone since they are unprepared when it occurs.
This article contains a list of major awards available for single mothers in Canada. If you’ve recently become a single mother, you’ll find this grant information extremely useful.
There are two types of grants available to single mothers in Canada: federal and provincial. You must be “either a separated or divorced parent of a kid (or children) who lives with you and for whom you are principally responsible (care, living, and education)” to be eligible for these scholarships and benefits. Divorced mothers with split legal custody are likely to receive only half of any benefits available.
The majority of the government awards available to you as a single mother can be applied for during the annual taxation season. If you become a single mother during the year, you should apply for applicable funds as soon as possible.
Federal Grants & Benefits
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides financial assistance to employed and self-employed people who are unable to work due to the care of a child under the age of 12 or a family member who requires supervised care. If their school, normal programme, or facility is closed or unavailable to them as a result of COVID-19, or if they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of major health issues as a result of COVID-19, this applies. The Canada Revenue Agency is in charge of the CRCB (CRA).
If you qualify for the CRCB, your household can get $500 ($450 after taxes are deducted) every week. If your condition does not improve, you will need to reapply. Between September 27, 2020, and May 7, 2022, each household may apply for up to 44 weeks of assistance.
The Canada child benefit (CCB), as defined by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), is a tax-free monthly payment issued to qualified families to assist them in meeting the costs of rearing children under the age of 18.
The maximum annual Canada Child Benefit rises in lockstep with the cost of living, though not proportionally. The following rates apply for the tax year 2021: up to $6,833 for children under the age of six and up to $5,765 for children aged six to seventeen.
During your separation or divorce, you can petition to share your Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) savings. This includes sharing all CPP savings generated during the time you and your ex-spouse lived together. Even if you did not contribute while living together, you are eligible for an equal division. Importantly, you must apply within 36 months after your marriage’s termination (including the separation period).
To be eligible for payments under Employment Insurance (EI), you must have lost your employment due to no fault of your own (for example, due to a shortage of work, seasonal or mass lay-offs.) You must also be actively looking for work and physically capable of doing so. For a complete list of eligibility requirements, please click here. As soon as you stop working, file for EI compensation. You don’t want to spend any time because there is a one-week waiting period.
You may be eligible for an additional Family Supplement to your EI if you are a single mother. This supplement has the potential to boost your benefit rate by up to 80%. Your annual net income must not exceed $25,921 to be eligible.
The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax benefit that assists people with disabilities in lowering their income tax liability. You may be eligible for this credit if you have a variety of mental and physical problems. You might be astonished to learn that you are eligible to get this money.
Check out this page to see the eligibility criteria.
Canada Education Savings Grant
This award can assist you if you wish the government to contribute to your child’s future education. Simply put, you must enrol your child in a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), and the government will match 20 cents for every dollar you put in, up to a maximum of $500 on a $2,500 annual contribution. After graduating from high school, your child can use the funds to assist pay for full-time or part-time courses.
Although most grants differ widely from one province to the next, there are several benefits that you can bet on.
Provincial Grants for COVID
Provincial governments in Canada provide various supplementary compensation in response to lockdowns, school closures, and other expenses. Because each province has its unique set of programmes, it’s best to check your provincial government’s main website to discover what financial assistance is available.
Legal Assistance
You must apply for Legal Aid in your province of residence if you have been a stay-at-home mom or have a very low income. Legal Aid is a provincial programme that can help you pay for legal bills related to divorce, child custody, and other legal services.
Simply look for Legal Aid in ___________ on the internet (insert your province in the search window). I recommend that you apply for Legal Aid as soon as you divorce your husband. Some provinces offer more generous Legal Aid than others, but they can still direct you to some useful free resources.
Assistance with food
Single mothers can access a wide range of food aid programmes in each province. While receiving food aid may not be something you are comfortable with, it is a valuable resource for you and your family. Single mothers are typically eligible for provincial food aid through a variety of local agencies.
Subsidy for Childcare
The majority of Canadian provinces provide childcare subsidies. While the amount of financial aid you will receive varies by province, this benefit is extremely valuable to all single mothers. The childcare subsidy generally has a waiting list, so make sure to apply as soon as possible. Even if you are pregnant, you should start looking into childcare subsidies as soon as possible because you will need to return to work at some point.
Counselling and Therapy for Individuals
Each province has its own set of initiatives to help people with counselling and psychotherapy. Look up your provincial Health Authority’s website to see what services are available to you. Single mothers can typically find the group and individual counselling opportunities at the YWCA in several provinces.
Young Women’s Christian Association of Canada (YWCA)
The YWCA is a non-profit organization that offers single mothers a plethora of information, services, and support. Their goal is to serve as a turning point for women, and they have up-to-date information on legal difficulties, shelters, child care, and employment aid, among other things. They may also be able to supply you with a complimentary exercise pass to their facilities as part of various programmes.
If you’ve recently become a single mother and/or are fleeing an abusive relationship, I strongly advise you to contact your local YWCA.
Rental Assistance and Housing
You may be eligible for a subsidized housing benefit as a single mother in most provinces. Yes, the wait may be long, but the cost of this house is extremely low, allowing you to live in a much larger place with your children for a fraction of the market price.
Rental Assistance programmes are available in some provinces. If your income matches the criteria, you may be eligible for financial assistance to help pay your rent.
Conclusion
These programs were created because they recognize the difficulties single mothers face, and you will be amazed how much help you can get while you are building your single-parent family up.
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