The Ontario government is expanding access to free emergency childcare to more frontline workers, starting today.
To be eligible, families must have no other option for child care and be working outside of their home.
The government says the expansion is intended to support workers and their families with child care options at no cost in regions where students continue to learn remotely.
This benefit builds on the existing list of eligible workers.
New Additions to the List of Those Eligible for Emergency Child Care:
- Individuals working in fuel distribution and oil refineries;
- Education staff who are required to report to work in person while their children continue with remote learning;
- Grocery store and pharmacy workers;
- Truck drivers;
- Farmers and those who support food or agricultural product supply chains;
- Individuals involved in the collecting, transporting, storing, processing, disposing or recycling of any type of waste; and
- Individuals working in the manufacturing and distribution of disinfectants and sanitizers.
Contact your municipality or municipal service system manager to see if you are eligible for emergency child care.
For the official announcement, please click here.
Ontario is helping families by expanding access to emergency child care for more frontline workers. The expanded program will be in place for elementary schools that are closed for in-person learning.
Learn more: https://t.co/79TImKopIT pic.twitter.com/2LyzH7BcFE
— Education Ontario (@ONeducation) January 25, 2021
From our farmers to truck drivers to grocery store workers, we thank you all for working hard for Ontario.
Today — we are expanding free child care to over 500K more frontline workers who make a difference in our communities & economy. pic.twitter.com/jRMsYDTmBk
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) January 25, 2021
Our Support for Learners program provides you with financial support to cover some of your extra learning costs during COVID-19.
Families can receive:
$200/child up to grade 12
$250/child or youth ages 0-21 with special needshttps://t.co/OS7UCd225D pic.twitter.com/HTCv1JKMtr— Education Ontario (@ONeducation) January 25, 2021