Benefits for grandparents and other relatives raising children
If you are raising a relative's child, you may be entitled to government benefits. The amount of help you can get to pay for the child's needs can depend on whether you have a custody order, an adoption order, or are a foster parent (a child has been placed with you by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development).
Note: It is important to speak to a social worker and a lawyer before you get a custody order, sign an agreement to provide foster care, or adopt a child. They can help you with your application and tell you how your benefits would be affected.
Here are some websites that can help you find out which benefits you may be entitled to. See the Canada Revenue Agency website for general information about federal benefits. Also see the BC Federation of Foster Parents' website, which lists a telephone support line and contains information about providing foster care.
The first table below ("Who is eligible for benefits?") lists some of the benefits that may be available to people who are caring for a relative's child, and when you may be able to receive them. Be aware that there are financial and other eligibility requirements for some of these benefits. For more information, see the websites listed in the second table below ("Where can I find out more?")
Note: Many of the benefits listed below are available to non-relatives as well as relatives, but double-check with the appropriate agency to find out for sure. If you still have questions about any of these benefits, call LawLINE.
Who is eligible for benefits?
| Benefit | Adoption | Custody order | Foster care (placement by the ministry) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child in Home of a Relative Benefits | No | Yes** | No |
| Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Children's Benefits (based on disability or death of a parent or other person who had care and control of the child and had contributed to CPP) | No | Yes** | No. Benefits go to the Public Trustee to be held for the child. |
| Income tax deduction for dependents with disabilities | Yes | Yes** | No |
| Child Disability Benefit | Yes | Yes** | No |
| Canada Child Tax Benefit | Yes | Yes** | No |
| Universal Child Care Benefit (for children under 6) | Yes | Yes** | Yes |
| EI Family Supplement | Yes | Yes** | No |
| Child Care Subsidy (for parents with low incomes or if recommended by the Ministry of Child and Family Development) | Yes | Yes** | Yes |
| Regular Income Assistance Benefits (including PPMB and PWD benefits) | Yes, the child is considered part of your family unit under that legislation. | Not on behalf of the child, who is eligible instead for the Child in the Home of a Relative benefits (see above), which pays more than income assistance. The caregiver remains eligible for income assistance benefits for him or herself.** | No, but receipt of basic family foster care rate does not affect the caregiver's own eligibility for income assistance benefits. |
| Foster Parent payments and benefits | No, but there are some exceptions (like post-adoption assistance). | No | Yes |
| Maintenance (child support) from the biological parents of the children | No | Yes** (but is deducted from Child in the home of a Relative Benefits) | No (Any maintenance payments go to the Ministry of Child and Family Development). |
| BC's Adoption Expense Tax Credit | Yes | No | No |
| BC's Children's Education Fund | Yes (if the child was born after January 1, 2007 and adopted by parents who live in BC, and the child later goes to post-secondary school in BC). | Yes** (if child born after January 1, 2007 to biological parents who lived in BC, and the child later goes to post-secondary school in BC). | Yes (if child born after January 1, 2007 to biological parents who live in BC, and the child later goes to post-secondary school in BC). |
** These benefits may also be available to caregivers who do not have a custody order.
Note: This table provides general information only and does not cover social benefits in particular situations. Rules change and there are exceptions, so please double-check whether this information applies to you.
Where can I find out more?
| Benefit | For more information |
|---|---|
| Child in Home of a Relative Benefits | Ministry of Housing and Social Development website (formerly the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance) |
| Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Children's Benefits (based on disability or death of a parent or other person who had care and control of the child and had contributed to CPP) | CPP Children's Benefits and CPP Children's Benefits for Students Aged 18 to 25 |
| Income tax deduction for dependents with disabilities | Is your dependant eligible for the disability amount? page on the Canada Revenue Agency website |
| Child Disability Benefit | Child Disability Benefit on the Canada Revenue Agency website |
| Canada Child Tax Benefit | Canada Child Tax Benefit on the Canada Revenue Agency website |
| Universal Child Care Benefit (for children under 6) | Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) on the Canada Revenue Agency website |
| EI Family Supplement | Employment Insurance (EI) and the family supplement on the Employment Insurance website |
| Child Care Subsidy (for parents with low incomes or if recommended by the Ministry of Child and Family Development) | Child Care Subsidy on the Ministry of Children and Family Development website |
| Regular Income Assistance Benefits (including PPMB and PWD benefits) | Your Guide to Employment and Assistance and the Income and Exemptions Policy page (scroll down and click on "Ministry of Children and Family Development: Feb. 1, 2005" to find information about foster care payments) on the Ministry of Housing and Social Development website |
| Foster Parent payments and benefits | Foster Care on the Ministry of Children and Family Development website |
| Maintenance (child support) from the biological parents of the children | To find out how to apply for child support, see the self-help guides for getting an initial family order on this website |
| BC's Adoption Expense Tax Credit | BC's Adoption Expense Tax Credit and Children's Education Fund on the Adoptive Families Association of BC website |
| BC's Children's Education Fund | Children's Education Fund on the Ministry of Finance website |
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