B.C. family benefit

The B.C. family benefit provides a tax-free monthly payment to families with children under the age of 18.

Budget 2023 permanently increased the B.C. family benefit amounts and added a new supplement for lower-income single parent families starting in July 2023. 

Last updated: June 30, 2023

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About the benefit

The B.C. family benefit (previously called the B.C. child opportunity benefit) is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the Province.

Each month, eligible families with children under the age of 18 receive the benefit payment as a combined payment with the Canada child benefit.

How to apply for the benefit

To receive the B.C. family benefit, you (and your spouse or common-law partner) must file a T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return.   

If your child is registered for the Canada child benefit, they're automatically registered for the B.C. family benefit. No action is required.

If your child is not registered for the Canada child benefit, you need to apply for the Canada child benefit.

The CRA uses the information from your Canada child benefit registration to determine your eligibility for the B.C. family benefit (or the B.C. child opportunity benefit). 

If you’re eligible, the amount of the payment is calculated automatically by the CRA based on information from the personal tax returns you (and your spouse or common-law partner) have filed.

If your child started living with you before October 2020, you may receive the former B.C. early childhood tax benefit when you apply for the Canada child benefit. However, you may need to provide the CRA with additional information to receive benefit payments for periods more than 11 months ago. 

If you move to B.C., your eligibility for the B.C. family benefit will be determined once you update your information with CRA. If you move outside B.C., make sure you advise the CRA as soon as possible to avoid any potential benefit overpayment that you will be required to repay. 

Maximum annual benefit amount 

Budget 2023 permanently increased the maximum annual benefit B.C. families may receive, effective July 2023. 

For the July 2023 to June 2024 benefit period

The maximum annual benefit you may receive is:

  • $1,750 for your first child
  • $1,100 for your second child
  • $900 for each additional child

If your adjusted family net income for the 2022 tax year is less than $27,354, you'll receive the maximum annual benefit. 

If your adjusted family net income for the 2022 tax year is between $27,354 and $87,533, you'll receive a reduced amount of at least: 

  • $775 for your first child
  • $750 for your second child
  • $725 for each additional child

If your adjusted family net income for the 2022 tax year is more than $87,533, you'll receive a reduced amount up to:

  • $775 for your first child
  • $750 for your second child
  • $725 for each additional child

These amounts are reduced by 4 percent of the portion of income over $87,533 until they are reduced to zero. 

New supplement for single parents 

Budget 2023 also introduced a new supplement for lower-income single parent families, effective July 2023.

Single parents will receive an annual supplement of up to $500 per family, if at the beginning of the month:

  • You’re receiving a B.C. family benefit payment for that month
  • You’re not the cohabitating spouse or common-law partner of another person

If your income is more than $27,354, your supplement will be reduced as part of the overall calculation of your B.C. family benefit.

Calculate your benefit amount

Your B.C. family benefit is based on your family composition and your adjusted family net income. 

Your annual B.C. family benefit is the total maximum amount allowed for each child in your family reduced by 4 percent of the amount that your adjusted family net income exceeds the threshold.

Adjusted family net income threshold amounts
Base year (tax return) Benefit period Maximum benefit received if income less than Reduced benefit with guaranteed minimum amount if income between  Reduced benefit (no guaranteed minimum amount) if income more than
2022 July 2023 to June 2024 $27,354 $27,354 and $87,533 $87,533

Your monthly benefit amount is the annual B.C. family benefit amount divided by 12. 

To find out your estimated monthly benefit amount, use the federal child and family benefits calculator. 

Families with shared custody

If you share custody of a child with another person, you'll receive half the amount you'd receive for the child if you had full custody of that child. 

Previous threshold amounts

The adjusted family net income threshold amounts are indexed to inflation each year. 

Adjusted family net income threshold amounts
Base year (tax return) Benefit period Maximum benefit received if income less than Reduced benefit with guaranteed minimum amount if income between Reduced benefit (no guaranteed minimum amount) if income more than
2021 July 2022 to June 2023 $25,806 $26,806 and $82,578 $82,578
2020 July 2021 to June 2022 $25,275 $25,275 and $80,880 $80,880
2019 October 2020 to June 2021 $25,000 $25,000 and $80,000 $80,000
 

Temporary enhanced monthly benefit for the period January 2023 to March 2023

The B.C. government provided a temporary benefit enhancement of up to $175 per child for the period January 2023 to March 2023 (up to $58.33 per month). 

For eligible families with an adjusted family net income between $25,806 and $82,578, the minimum enhancement is $150 per child ($50 per month). 

  • The enhancement was combined with your regular monthly benefit amounts into one monthly payment for January 2023, February 2023 and March 2023
  • You may receive the January 2023, February 2023 and March 2023 benefit payments even if you do not receive the B.C. family benefit for other months because of your family net income 

Recalculating your benefit amount with the enhanced amounts

The maximum monthly benefit amount B.C. families may receive for January 2023, February 2023 and March 2023, including the temporary benefit enhancement is:

  • $191.66 per month for your first child
  • $141.67 per month for your second child
  • $125 per month for each additional child

Net income: $25,806 or less

If your adjusted family net income for the 2021 taxation year is $25,806 or less, you’ll receive the maximum enhanced benefit amount.

Net income: $25,806 to $82,578

If your adjusted family net income for the 2021 taxation year is more than $25,806 but less than $82,578, the monthly enhanced benefit for January to March 2023 is reduced by 0.33% (1/300th) of the portion of income over $25,806. However, you’ll receive a minimum of:

  • $108.33 per month for your first child
  • $106.67 per month for your second child
  • $105 per month for each additional child

Net income: $82,578 or higher

If your adjusted family net income for the 2021 taxation year is $82,578 or more, the maximum benefit you can receive is:

  • $108.33 per month for your first child
  • $106.67 per month for your second child
  • $105 per month for each additional child

Those amounts are reduced by 0.33% (1/300th) of the portion of income over $82,578 until it's reduced to zero.

Note: The federal child and family benefits calculator has not been updated to reflect the three-month enhancement of the benefits. 

Legislation

The following legislation applies to the B.C. family benefit.