Expected to Work/Barriers to Full Employment Policy & Procedures

Published Date: July 29, 2016
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13 Federal Child Benefit (National Child Benefit Supplement - NCBS)

Not Receiving Full Federal Child Benefit Amount (Maximum NCBS)

If the client is not receiving the full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS) the worker determines if the client is eligible for a Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit).

Clients who are not receiving the full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS) due to no fault of their own must receive a Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit).

Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefits)
Once the IS worker verifies the actual Federal Child Benefit amount (actual NCBS entitlement) received by the client by viewing the  Canada Child Benefit Notice of Determination or the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) Verification from the Help Desk, the worker determines which Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit) the client is eligible to receive:

  • Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit) if the client is not getting funds from  Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or
  • Temporary Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefit) if the client may be getting funds from CRA.

Workers use existing file information to determine immigration status. Client’s status in Canada impacts their eligibility for the Canada Child Benefit. The NCB Help Desk will advise the worker if the client should be referred to CRA to discuss their status. If required, CRA will give the client a letter indicating the date they will be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit.

Clients remain eligible for replacement benefits until the IS file closes, there is a change in family circumstances or until July 31, whichever comes first.

The National Child Benefit Supplement Quick Reference Guide (EMP 0720) is available to assist staff with determining if a client is eligible for a replacement or temporary replacement benefit and if a repayment agreement is required.

Procedures
If the client is eligible for the Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit), the worker:

  1. Subtracts the NCBS portion of the Canada Child Benefit that the client is actually receiving (if any) from the full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS) calculated by the Government of Canada as follows:
    • $192 per month for the first dependent child,
    • $170 per month for the second dependent child, and
    • $162 per month for the third and each subsequent dependent child.
  2. Issues the difference under Need Code 1427 NCBS Replacement Benefit.

Example 1
Applicant has two children and receives $60 NCBS

The full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS) minus $60 equals the Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit) monthly amount.

The worker then issues the amount of the Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit) to the client..

Example 2
Client is a refugee with three children and not entitled to  receive the Canada Child Benefit.

The full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS) minus $0 equals the Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit) monthly amount. 

The worker then issues the amount of the Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Replacement Benefit) to the client, which in this case is the full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS).

The worker enters a Task in Mobius to follow-up on immigration status and eligibility for the Canada Child Benefit.

Need Code
1427
NCBS Replacement Benefit

In June of each year, the IS Program sends out an EMP 3007 Families Receiving National Child Benefit Replacement Benefits to clients receiving Need Code 1427 NCBS Replacement Benefit, informing them that their replacement benefits will stop at the end of July.

When the client is receiving less than the full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS), but is eligible to receive this benefit because of the addition of a child, the worker:

  1. Issues prorated Need Code 1836 NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefit the month a child is born or added to the household unit. No repayment is required.
  2. Issues Need Code 1836 NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefit the month after the child is born or added to the household unit.

A repayment is required if additional Temporary Child Supplement Allowance payments (NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefits) are needed beyond the second month after the baby’s birth.

Example
A client has a baby June 10th. The replacement benefit is prorated for June and issued for July benefits. A repayment agreement is not required.

The client must agree to sign an EMP 3144 National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) Repayment Agreement and to take corrective action CRA with prior to these benefits being issued.

When the client is receiving less than the full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS), but is eligible to receive the full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS), the worker:

  1. Gives the client the option of receiving the Temporary Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefit) or waiting for the retroactive payment.
  2. Informs the client the lesser of the Temporary Child Supplement Allowance (NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefit) or the retroactive payment received from CRA must be repaid to Community and Social Services when received.
  3. Completes two signed copies of an EMP 3144 National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) Repayment Agreement with the client. 
  4. Gives one copy of the repayment agreement to the client (the payer), and files the other copy on Section 1 of client’s file.
  5. Refers the client to CRA to file an Income Tax return or report their change in circumstances (e.g., family break-up, change in family size, or immigration status).
  6. Subtracts the NCBS portion of the Canada Child Benefit that the client is actually receiving (if any) from the full Federal Child Benefit amount (maximum NCBS) as calculated by the Government of Canada.
  7. Issues the Temporary Child Supplement amount under need code 1836 NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefit.
  8. Adds comments on the CRC screen in LISA as a reminder to add need code 1836 NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefit for future months, if required.
  9. Enters the debt in the Recoveries system as a temporary save, by adding income code A810 Benefit(s) Issued by Repayment and by using the maximum amount recoverable as the repayment.
  10. Enters a Task in Mobius for receipt of the retroactive payment from CRA.

Once the person has notified CRA of changes, the average processing time is 3 months.

Separated spouses must wait 90 days before they can apply for a change in their Canada Child Benefit and will require Temporary Child Supplement Allowance payments (NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefits) for a longer period of time.

Exceptions (No repayment)
If a client has an overpayment with CRA they are given one month replacement benefits (no repayment) to allow time to contact CRA to renegotiate the rate of recovery.

Need Code
1836
NCBS Temporary Replacement Benefit