Post Adoption Assistance

Families who adopt through BC foster care may be eligible for supports.

The Post-Adoption Assistance program provides financial and support service assistance to eligible families who adopt children and youth designated with special service needs, a special placement need or both. The child or youth must have been adopted from Ministry care in BC.

Your adoption social worker can help to assess eligibility; gross assets and yearly income are considered.

Eligibility:

• Gross assets cannot exceed $300,000.
• Your primary residence and primary vehicle are not included in the eligibility assessment.
• Pensions and RRSPs are not included in the eligibility assessment unless they become a source of income and the income is reflected on the Notice of Assessment provided by the Canada Revenue Agency.

If your assets do not exceed $300,000 then your income is assessed.

• A family with a net income of less than $80,000 a year is eligible to receive the full basic monthly maintenance payment.
  • $849.36 for a child under 12 years of age
  • $1135.81 for children 12 to 19 years of age.

If a family's net income is over $80,000 a year, maintenance will decrease gradually based on the number of dependent children in the family.

Services:

Eligible families may receive coverage for services that are not covered by the parents' extended medical plans – these may include:

• Counselling and medication. 
• Health assessments.
• Special needs childcare.
• Speech therapy, physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
• Corrective dental and orthodontics.
• Respite care.
• Tutoring.

Other Information

• Proof of income and assets is required.
• Proof of the cost of service is required.
• Keep all receipts. You can be audited.
• Basic Medical and dental is not covered by PAA.
• Families must reapply for PAA every two years.
• All supporting documentation is required each time.