Underage Applicants
Last updated on July 22, 2026Overview
Parents have the primary responsibility for supporting their dependent children. Children may be eligible for income assistance separate from the family unit only after reasonable efforts have been made to have a parent or guardian support them.
A referral to the Ministry of Children and Family Development is required when an applicant is under 17 years of age or where there are child protection concerns.
These requirements apply to applicants under the Employment and Assistance Regulation and Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation.
Policy
Eligibility
Effective: October 1, 2012
Children under 19 years of age have the right to apply for income assistance, eligibility is not limited based on age. For more information on applying for assistance, review the Application Requirements topic.
To be eligible for disability assistance under the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Children with disabilities who are likely to meet the eligibility criteria upon turning 18, may begin the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation application process up to six months before to their 18th birthday. More information on the PWD designation can be found in the Designation Application topic.
Parents are expected to support their dependent children until age 19. When reasonable efforts to reunite the children with their parents or legal guardians have been unsuccessful, and the children meet all other eligibility criteria, income assistance may be granted.
For information on Three Generation Families, see the Three Generation Families section in the Family Composition topic.
Referral to a Ministry of Children and Family Development Social Worker
Effective: May 20, 2010
After an application for income assistance is taken, a referral must be made to a Social Worker with the Ministry of Children and Family Development when one or more of the following circumstances apply:
- There are child protection concerns involving an applicant who is under 19 years of age
- The applicant for assistance is under 17 years of age
For more information about child protection, review the Protection of Children topic.
With approval from the Social Worker, assistance, including medical coverage, may be issued on a temporary basis during the period of review conducted by the Social Worker. Any assistance issued during this period must be approved by a manager.
Procedures
Children in Marriage-Like Relationships
Effective: May 20, 2010
If you are under the age of 19 and in a marriage-like relationship, manager approval is required to issue assistance because of potential legal and child protection issues. You do not have to take any additional steps unless advised by the ministry.
Children Under 17 Years of Age
Effective Date: May 20, 2010
If you are under the age of 17 while applying for assistance, manager approval is required to issue assistance because of potential legal and child protection issues. You do not have to take any additional steps unless advised by the ministry.
Children-in-Care as Parents
Effective: December 1, 2003
If you are a child-in-care (CIC) who is residing in foster homes or in approved independent living situations with your dependent infant children, you may still apply for assistance, including medical coverage, to provide for the infant’s needs. The assistance issued to you as an under-19-year-old parent is based on the CIC’s family unit support and shelter rate minus the basic foster home payment.
You are reminded to apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).
Right to Reconsideration and Appeal for Children
Effective: December 1, 2003
If you are under the age of 19 and have been denied assistance you have the right to reconsideration and appeal the denial, reduction or discontinuance of assistance.
For more information, review the Appeal and Reconsideration topics.