BC Kinship Care Appeal: What to Do When Benefits Are Denied

Three Different Agencies, Three Different Appeal Paths

A denied kinship care benefit in BC could come from MCFD (Extended Family Program), the CRA (Canada Child Benefit or BC Family Benefit), or the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (income assistance). Each has its own review and appeal process. Knowing which agency denied you is the first step to challenging it.

Denied EFP or MCFD Out-of-Care Support

If your Extended Family Program application is denied or your existing EFP agreement is terminated, start with your assigned social worker. Ask for the specific reasons in writing. Common reasons include incomplete screening checks, concerns flagged during the home assessment, or a determination that the child's situation doesn't meet the CFCSA threshold for out-of-care support.

Step 1 — Send a written dispute. Submit your concerns about the EFP agreement or funding to the team leader or Community Director of Operations. Keep a copy of what you send.

Step 2 — Escalate if unresolved. File a formal complaint with the MCFD Complaints Specialist, or escalate to the BC Ombudsperson or the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY). Document dates, names, and what was said.

Denied Canada Child Benefit

If CRA denies your CCB application or rules that you're not the primary caregiver, follow the review instructions and deadlines in its decision notice. For a CCB or BC Family Benefit allocation dispute, after CRA issues a Notice of Redetermination, submit Form RC4590 (Notice of Objection) or file through CRA My Account within 90 days of receiving that notice.

If CRA says the evidence does not establish that you were the primary caregiver, add supporting school, medical, or residence documents and follow the review steps and deadline in the decision notice.

Denied Income Assistance or BCEA Supplements

If the Ministry of Social Development denies a BCEA application or a supplement related to the child, you can request reconsideration within 20 business days using Form HR3198.

If reconsideration upholds the denial, you can appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal within 10 business days of receiving the reconsideration decision. The tribunal is independent of the ministry.

General Escalation Tips

Across all three agencies:

• Get denials in writing. Verbal denials are hard to challenge. Ask for a letter or email stating the decision and the reasons.
• Keep a communication log. Date, time, name of the person you spoke to, and what they said. This is evidence if you need to escalate.
• Use the PSSBC Kinship Care Help Line (1-855-474-9777). Peer advocates who have navigated these systems can help you prepare your case and know which escalation paths work.
• Legal Aid BC and Family LawLINE (1-866-577-2525) offer free legal information and summary advice for family protection matters.

The BC Kinship Financial Help Guide includes an escalation letter template and agency communication log designed for exactly these situations — documenting your interactions and preparing a clear, organized appeal.

See more British Columbia guides →