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Eligibility and estimate funding

Last updated on August 30, 2024

Eligibility

Families must meet eligibility criteria to receive the Affordable Child Care Benefit.

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Residency and status in Canada

A parent or guardian must be a: 

  • Resident of British Columbia (you must have a current B.C. address) 

  • Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, Convention refugee or a person in need of protection 

The applicant must complete an application and supply the ministry with the Social Insurance Number (SIN) of the parent and the parent's spouse (if any). If the applicant’s SIN does not begin with a number 1 through 7, supporting documentation to prove the applicant’s status in Canada is required.

 

Types of care

Most types of child care are eligible. Refer to the rates and understanding payments page for information about funding rates. You can also use the Affordable Child Care Benefit Estimator to see how much funding you may qualify for.

Non-Licensed child care by a family member who lives in the same household with you, or licensed occasional care, or drop in care and recreational care are not eligible for funding.  

 

Qualifying reason for child care

Parents must provide one of the following qualifying reasons for requiring child care: 

  • Working or self-employed 
  • Attending school 
  • Participating in an employment program 
  • Looking for work (only one parent or guardian) 
  • Living with a medical condition that interferes with your ability to care for your child 
  • Your child is attending a licensed preschool program
  • Your child care is arranged or recommended by a Ministry of Children and Family Development or Indigenous Child and Family Services Agency social worker
  • Your child care is arranged or recommended by a staff member authorized by an Indigenous authority to provide child and family services under Indigenous law

 

 

Income

The Affordable Child Care Benefit is an income-testing program. The ministry uses your annual income, less deductions, or adjustments, to determine eligibility.
 
Generally speaking, families that earn up to $111,000 may qualify for funding. Families that earn more than $111,000 but have considerable deductions for family size or children who have support needs may also apply. 

Families may be exempt from income testing when a child is living with the applicant following an agreement under the Child, Family and Community Service Act or an Indigenous law.

 

Application date

Apply for funding before the end of the month in which you need child care. For example, for child care starting September 1, apply by September 30.

 

Renewal

Benefits must be renewed yearly or when there is a change in qualifying reason for requiring child care. Use My Family Services or an Application form (CF2900) (PDF).

 

Estimate your funding

Use the Affordable Child Care Benefit Estimator to see how much funding you may be eligible to receive. This estimation is not a guarantee of payment and should be used as a guide only. It does not consider all individual circumstances.

Estimate your funding

How funding is calculated

Funding is calculated based on the Early Learning and Child Care Regulation. The following factors are used to determine funding amounts:

  • Annual income
  • Family size
    • Annual income is reduced by $2,000 for each person in your family after the first two family members
  • Children who have support needs
    • Annual income is reduced by $3,000 for each child in your family who is a child with support needs
    • If a child has support needs and requires additional support services, you may be eligible for up to an additional $150 supplement per month towards the cost of child care
    • The Affordable Child Care Benefit and support needs supplement cannot be more than the fee charged by the child care provider
  • Class of child care
    • The actual funding amount also depends on the class of child care selected and the age of the child:
      • Families with a child in licensed child care may qualify for a maximum benefit if their adjusted annual income is up to $45,000
      • Families with a child in registered licence-not-required child care may qualify for a maximum benefit if their adjusted annual income is up to $39,000
      • Families with a child in licence-not-required child care or care in the child’s home may qualify for a maximum benefit if their adjusted annual income is up to $24,000
      • Families with adjusted annual incomes higher than these amounts may qualify for a partial benefit
      • See the maximum funding amounts for each class of child care
  • Amount of care needed
    • The number of days per week that a child requires child care may be a factor in determining the funding amount. Funding is prorated for part time care