Annual Affordability Payment - Child in Home of Relative Program

Last updated on December 19, 2023

Effective Summer 2023, families receiving financial assistance through the Child in Home of Relative (CIHR) program can apply for an annual affordability payment.

The Child in Home of Relative Program (CIHR) is a concluding income assistance program that was created under the Employment and Assistance Act (EAA), to provide financial support to relatives caring for children/youth.

The program is administered by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) on behalf of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).

In 2010 there was a Representative for Children and Youth audit report on the program and on April 1, 2010, CIHR stopped accepting applications. As a result, any existing CIHR recipients continue to receive financial assistance as long as:

the relative and the child/youth in their care continue to meet the eligibility criteria; and
the child/youth is under the age of 19

The CIHR program will conclude by fiscal 2028/29 when the last youth remaining in the program will turn 19.

As of summer 2023, MCFD is introducing an annual affordability payment for children and youth in the care of relatives under the CIHR program.

The annual affordability payment is prorated up to $8797.36 for children/youth ages 14-17 and $8177.92 for youth aged 18. The payment is available per year and offered until the youth’s 19th birthday, concluding by fiscal 2028/29 when the last children/youth remaining in the program turn 19. The annual payment will be paid in the child/youth's birth month, pro-rated for all months the child/youth and family are eligible within an annual fiscal period (April through March).

The benefit is voluntary so relatives can make an informed decision that best addresses their family’s financial circumstances.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) fact sheet [PDF] (200KB) for more information on the new annual affordability payment and how to access this benefit. An Application Form [DOCX] and Direct Deposit Application Form [PDF] (401KB) is also available. This infographic [PDF] is available for posting or sharing with individuals who may be eligible.

Did you find what you were looking for?

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.