Child & family programs for BC parents

Hi again, everyone! I hope you're all enjoying the holiday and the beautiful weather.

For most people, the 2024 taxes are filed and the government has had a chance to recalculate everyone's benefits based on last year's income. Starting in July, people who have had a change in their income will see a corresponding change to certain income-linked government benefits, like the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for seniors, the advance Canada workers' benefit payments, and, a big one for many families, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

This year, there's a change to the BC Family Benefit, which is part of the Canada Child Benefit payments that families with children receive around the 20th of every month. I thought this would be a good time to explain the change and remind people of some other benefits that are available for BC residents.

What’s changing with the BC Family Benefit?

For the last year, there's been a bonus amount added to the regular BC Family Benefit amount, but, unfortunately, that bonus ended in June. Starting with the July 2025 CCB payment, families will go back to receiving the base amount only. That means families receiving the maximum benefit for two kids will be getting about $60 less every month.

Another change that's been made is that the income threshold to qualify for the maximum regular Family Benefit amount has been lowered. Last year, families with a net income of just under $36,000 in 2023 were able to receive the maximum benefit. However, if your family income in 2024 was over $26,000, your payments starting this July will be reduced. So a family with two kids and $30,000 in net income will lose another $127 each month compared to the 2024 payments. That's really starting to add up!

Other financial supports available to BC residents

Now's a good time to see if there are any other benefits you can take advantage of to offset the lower CCB payments. The BC government website has a great resource, the BC Benefits Connector. I've gone through and picked out a few that are particularly helpful for families with kids, but take a look yourself. There are other supports for seniors, renters, students, and business owners that might be helpful to you or someone you know. While you're at it, take a look at the Benefits Wayfinder site, which includes federal support programs, as well as the Kootenay Boundary Fetch site for local options.

1. Affordable Child Care Benefit

This monthly subsidy helps cover the cost of licensed child care. Eligibility is based on income and the reason your child is in care.

• you could receive up to $1,250 per child per month

• available to working or studying parents, those with medical conditions or disabilities, and those whose child care was arranged or recommended by a social worker or authority under Indigenous law

• apply online, but must register for a BCeID if you don't already have one or

• use this fillable form to apply

2. MSP Supplementary Benefits & Fair PharmaCare

These are programs through Medical Services Plan (MSP) to provide extra health coverage and coverage on prescription drugs.

• only need to apply once, then coverage is renewed automatically based on the income on your tax return

• supplementary benefits provides $23 per visit to a maximum of ten visits to health care providers such as massage therapists, chiropractors, naturopaths, etc.

• health care providers can opt out of the Supplementary Benefits program, so check before booking that you'll be covered

• Fair PharmaCare covers most prescription drugs, contraceptives, diabetes supplies, opiod use treatments, and others

• under Fair PharmaCare, each family is assigned a deductible based on income. Qualifying expenses above that amount are covered at 70% and at 100% over a maximum based on family income.

3. Healthy Kids Program

This program provides basic dental, vision, and hearing care for children in low-income families.

• covers basic dental care up to $2,000 over two years, glasses once a year (but not contact lenses), and hearing assistance like hearing aids and cochlear implants

• automatically available to children in families signed up for MSP Supplementary Benefits, but you should check with the health care provider before the appointment to see what services are covered

4. KidSport youth sports grant

Get up to $400 per year for kids under 19 to help pay for sports programs. Eligibility is based on income, which is adjusted for family size (larger families have higher income thresholds).

• the program must be affiliated with Sport BC, so check the list of eligible programs

• child must be registered in the program before applying for the grant

5. Get on Board program

BC Transit and TransLink provide free transit for kids under 13 on all transit services.

• no application necessary

• on BC Transit buses kids under 6 must be accompanied by someone aged 12 or older

• BC Transit has a Bus Ready site to teach kids about bus safety and etiquette

6. Single Parent Employment Initiative

For single parents on income or disability assistance, this WorkBC program offers job training in certain high-demand fields, as well as support while you train and get started in your new job.

• up to two years of paid training or work experience

• paid childcare and transportation costs

Things to keep in mind when applying

Many of the programs offered by the provincial and federal governments require you to be up to date with your tax filing, so get caught up and have your most recent Notice of Assessment from CRA with you when applying so you can answer any questions about income.

A lot of the BC programs have residency conditions. New Canadians and anyone recently moved to BC should check eligibility requirements to see if you need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or if you need to have lived in BC for a certain amount of time.

Sometimes applying for things isn't as easy as you'd like. Maybe you don't have reliable access to internet, there are too many hoops to jump through, or you just get too stressed out by paperwork. If you're having trouble applying for programs you're eligible for, hopefully you have a friend or family member that can help. If not, there are local organizations that can help connect you to some of these federal and provincial supports or to local ones. The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy offers settlement services for newcomers; the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society (COINS) focuses on assisting Indigenous people in our area; while Kootenay Family Place and the Trail FAIR Society have more general support services.

Hopefully I've provided you with some resources you weren't aware of and you're able to find a program that works for you. Now get back in the sun!