Canada Child Benefit for Grandparents in BC: How to Apply

The CCB Is Not Tied to Legal Guardianship

The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment from the CRA, and a court order or formal custody agreement is not required. A key eligibility test is who has primary responsibility for the child's daily care — supervising activities, arranging medical appointments, managing school and daycare. The CRA also applies Canadian residency and tax-status requirements, and the caregiver and spouse or common-law partner must file annual tax returns.

If the child lives with you and you handle those daily responsibilities, you can apply regardless of whether you are an informal caregiver, an Extended Family Program participant, or an FLA guardian.

For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, maximum annual amounts are $7,997 for children under 6 and $6,748 for children aged 6–17. The full amount is payable to households with an Adjusted Family Net Income of $37,487 or less; your entitlement depends on your household income.

How to Apply Using Form RC66

Submit Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) through CRA My Account online or by mail. If you are a newcomer or non-citizen, also attach Schedule RC66SCH (Status in Canada and Income Information).

The CRA will ask for proof that you are the primary caregiver. Accepted evidence includes:

• A letter from the child's school principal or teacher confirming you are listed as the primary contact
• A letter from the child's doctor or dentist stating you bring the child to appointments
• Daycare receipts or activity registration forms in your name
• A letter from an MCFD or Delegated Indigenous Agency social worker attesting to the living arrangement
• A copy of an EFP agreement or court order showing care dates

Include the most relevant records you have from these evidence types. The CRA may request additional information, especially if there is a competing claim.

Processing Time and Retroactive Payments

The CRA processes RC66 applications in 8–11 weeks. Once approved, payments are issued around the 20th of each month. Retroactive payments are limited to the 11 months before the CRA received your application — so applying sooner matters. If you have been caring for a grandchild for a year without claiming, you may qualify for a retroactive payment within that limit.

The BC Family Benefit Comes Automatically

When your CCB application is approved, the BC Family Benefit is calculated and added to the same monthly payment — no separate application needed. For July 2025 to June 2026, maximum annual rates for families with income below $29,526 are $1,750 for the first child, $1,100 for the second, and $900 for each additional child. Single caregivers receive an extra $500 per year ($41.66/month). Benefits are recalculated every July based on the prior year's tax return.

Both the CCB and BC Family Benefit are completely tax-free. They do not count as taxable income, do not appear on your T4, and do not reduce your OAS, GIS, or CPP retirement pension. For a grandparent living on a fixed income, this is money that goes directly toward the child's care without touching your retirement.

When the Parent Disputes the Claim

If the child's parent is still claiming the CCB for the same child, the CRA's Child Benefits Rulings Division will send questionnaires to both parties. The decision is based on where the child actually lives and who provides day-to-day care — not who filed first or who has legal guardianship on paper.

Keep a file with dated evidence: school pickup records, medical appointment notes, grocery receipts. The BC kinship financial help guide includes a CRA evidence checklist and a document tracker designed specifically for this scenario.

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