The BC family benefit offers eligible families with children under 18 a tax-free monthly payment. These benefits are usually combined with the Canada Child Benefit, and are in addition to it!
How do I apply for the BC Family Benefit?
If you live in British Columbia and your child is already registered for the Canada Child Benefit, no action is required. If your child is not registered, then you are required to apply for the Canada Child Benefit online. The CRA uses this information from the Canada Child Benefit to automatically determine if you are eligible for the BC Family Benefit.
BC Family Benefit Bonus Changes
From July 1, 2024, to June 20, 2025, an additional bonus will be added to the existing BC Family Benefit. The benefit amounts and eligibility thresholds will temporarily increase by 25% – meaning, any family that is eligible will receive an average of $425 more per year.
This is a chart showing how the maximum annual benefit changes from 2023 to 2024:
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| First Child | $1,750 | $2,188 |
| Second Child | $1,100 | $1,375 |
| Each Additional Child | $9,00 | $1,125 |
Note: This is the maximum benefit that can be received per child per year. Depending on your family income, your family is entitled to a specific amount. If family income is greater than $114,887, you will not typically receive any benefit.
The new bonus and eligibility changes that began on July 1, 2024, will allow 66,000 more people to qualify for the program. It is estimated that 70% of families in British Columbia will receive this benefit.
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