BC Informal Kinship Care: What Child Benefits You Can Still Claim

Informal Does Not Mean Invisible to the CRA

Many grandparents and relatives in British Columbia are raising a child through a private family agreement — no social worker, no court order, no ministry involvement. The parent asked you to take the child, or the child simply ended up at your door during a crisis, and you have been providing daily care ever since.

This informal arrangement does not qualify for MCFD monthly maintenance (that requires an Extended Family Program agreement or a court order within the child protection system). It can qualify for federal and provincial child benefits through the Canada Revenue Agency if you meet the CRA's eligibility requirements.

The CRA's Canada Child Benefit eligibility test does not require a court order or government agreement. It includes primary responsibility for the child's daily care — supervising activities, arranging health appointments, managing meals and school — along with residency, tax-status, and tax-filing requirements.

What You Can Claim

At the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit rates:

Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Up to $7,997/year for a child under 6, or $6,748/year for a child aged 6–17. Payable monthly, tax-free.

BC Family Benefit (BCFB): Automatically calculated when the CCB is approved — up to $1,750/year for the first child, with a $500/year supplement for single caregivers. Tax-free.

Child Disability Benefit: If the child has a qualifying disability (Form T2201 approved), an additional $3,411/year, tax-free.

None of these payments count as income. They do not reduce your OAS, GIS, or CPP pension.

How to Prove Primary Caregiver Status Without a Legal Order

Without a court order or EFP agreement to point to, the CRA will look at direct evidence of care. When you submit Form RC66, attach:

• A letter from the child's school confirming you are the primary contact and pick-up person
• A letter from the child's doctor or dentist confirming you bring the child to appointments
• Daycare receipts or extracurricular registration forms in your name
• A letter from a community organisation, religious leader, or neighbour attesting to the living arrangement

Include the strongest evidence you have from the child's school, health-care provider, or other people who can confirm daily care. The CRA may request additional information.

If the parent was previously receiving the CCB and you are now claiming the same child, the CRA will contact both parties. They decide based on where the child actually lives — not who has legal guardianship on paper.

Should You Stay Informal or Pursue EFP?

Informal care works when the family situation is stable and the parent may eventually resume care. The CCB and BCFB alone can deliver over $700/month, which covers significant daily costs.

But if the arrangement is likely to last months or years, an EFP agreement adds $1,549.20–$1,726.33/month in provincial maintenance on top of your CRA benefits — a substantial difference. The EFP also provides access to health and dental coverage for the child, childcare subsidies, and Enhanced Out-of-Care supports for children with complex needs.

The tradeoff is that EFP involves MCFD: background checks, a home assessment, and ongoing ministry contact. Some families prefer to avoid that level of government involvement. Others decide the money and supports are worth it.

The BC kinship financial help guide walks through both pathways side by side — the forms, the timelines, the money — so you can make an informed choice before committing to either route.

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