The B.C. family benefit is a provincial program designed to provide a tax-free monthly payment to families residing in British Columbia with children under the age of 18. This benefit is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the Province of British Columbia. For most households, this payment is issued as a combined disbursement alongside the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

Starting in July 2027, the Government intends to introduce a new disability supplement to be paid with the B.C. family benefit. This upcoming expansion will provide an additional tax-free amount to families with children under 18 who have a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions, further aligning with Bill C-22 frameworks for enhanced disability support.

Technical Summary Table: 2026 Benefit Overview

Feature	Details and Thresholds (2025-2026 Period)
Administering Body	Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Payment Frequency	Monthly (Combined with CCB)
Maximum Annual Benefit (1st Child)	$1,750
Maximum Annual Benefit (2nd Child)	$1,100
Maximum Annual Benefit (Additional Children)	$900 per child
Full Benefit Income Threshold	Adjusted Family Net Income under $29,526
Single Parent Supplement	Up to $500 per family
Legislation	Income Tax Act (B.C.) Section 13.092

About the benefit

The primary objective of the B.C. family benefit is to offset the costs of raising children. Because the program is integrated with federal systems, eligibility is primarily determined through your annual tax filings. Each month, eligible families receive their specialized provincial amount automatically if they are already registered for federal child benefits.

How to apply for the benefit

To receive the B.C. family benefit, you and your spouse or common-law partner must file a T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return annually.

If your child is already registered for the Canada child benefit, they are automatically registered for the B.C. family benefit. No additional application is required.

If your child is not registered for federal benefits, you must apply for the Canada child benefit through the CRA. The CRA uses this registration data to determine your provincial eligibility. If you move to British Columbia from another province or country, you must update your residency status with the CRA to initiate these payments. Conversely, if you move out of B.C., you must notify the CRA immediately to avoid overpayments and subsequent clawbacks.

Maximum annual benefit amount

For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit period, the B.C. family benefit has returned to its regular scheduled amounts following the conclusion of temporary bonus cycles in June 2025.

The maximum annual benefit is structured as follows:

$1,750 for your first child.

$1,100 for your second child.

$900 for each additional child.

Families with an adjusted family net income for the 2024 tax year of less than $29,526 will receive the maximum annual benefit.

For families with incomes between $29,526 and $94,483, a reduced amount is guaranteed:

At least $775 for the first child.

At least $750 for the second child.

At least $725 for each additional child.

For those with an adjusted family net income exceeding $94,483, the benefit is reduced by 4 percent of the portion of income over that threshold until the amount reaches zero.

Supplement for single parents

Low-income single-parent families are eligible for an annual supplement of up to $500. To qualify, at the beginning of the month, you must:

1. Be receiving a B.C. family benefit payment for that month.

2. Not be the cohabitating spouse or common-law partner of another person.

If your adjusted family net income exceeds $29,526, this supplement is reduced as part of the overall B.C. family benefit calculation.

Calculate your benefit amount

The specific amount you receive is contingent upon family composition and adjusted family net income. The monthly disbursement is simply the total calculated annual benefit divided by 12.

Income Range	Benefit Level
Under $29,526	Maximum Benefit Amount
$29,526 to $94,483	Reduced Benefit (Guaranteed Minimum)
Over $94,483	Reduced Benefit (No Guaranteed Minimum)

Families with shared custody receive exactly 50 percent of the amount they would have received if the child lived with them full-time. This mirrors the CRA’s federal shared-custody protocols.

Legislation

The B.C. family benefit is governed by the Income Tax Act (B.C.) Section 13.092. This legislation ensures the legal framework for the calculation, indexation, and distribution of funds to British Columbia residents.

Update your information

Maintenance of your file with the Canada Revenue Agency is critical for compliance. You must notify the CRA if:

You change your primary residence.

Your marital status changes (e.g., marriage, separation, or common-law status).

The number of children in your care changes.

A recipient of the benefit has passed away.

Failure to report these changes can result in benefit overpayments, which the CRA is mandated to recover. If you have questions regarding your specific file, you may contact the CRA toll-free at 1-800-387-1193.