Financial Help for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in BC

The Financial Squeeze Is Real

A grandparent on a fixed pension who suddenly takes on a growing child faces immediate financial pressure. Food, clothing, school supplies, medical co-pays, activity fees — these costs appear overnight, and the pension or disability income that covered one or two adults doesn't stretch to include a child.

BC has several financial supports available to kinship caregivers, but they're scattered across federal, provincial, and court-based systems. Some require an application; CRA can assess others when you file your tax return or apply for the CCB.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

The CCB is an important source of financial support for many kinship caregivers. For the July 2026–June 2027 benefit year, the maximum annual benefit is $8,157 per child under 6 and $6,883 per child aged 6–17. Your amount depends on adjusted family net income and the number and ages of eligible children.

Use CRA's CCB application process (online or Form RC66 by mail). CRA may ask for details confirming that the child lives with you and, if you have one, a copy of your guardianship order.

You may be eligible even without a guardianship order if the child lives with you and you are primarily responsible for their care and upbringing. CRA may ask for additional details to confirm eligibility. A Section 51 guardianship order can help document your authority and the child's living arrangements.

If the child is registered for the CCB, the BC Family Benefit is paid alongside it without a separate application. You and your spouse or common-law partner must file income tax returns.

Extended Family Program (EFP)

MCFD's Extended Family Program provides monthly support to relatives caring for a child within the child protection framework. Effective July 1, 2025, and continuing through 2026/27, the monthly rates are:

• $1,549.20 per month for a child aged 11 and under
• $1,726.33 per month for a youth aged 12–19

EFP requires MCFD involvement — you can't access it independently. It's authorized under Section 8 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act, and the biological parent remains the child's legal guardian.

The critical caveat: obtaining a private guardianship order under Section 51 of the Family Law Act may mean you no longer qualify for EFP, because private guardianship is outside the CFCSA framework. Before pursuing guardianship, understand how it affects your EFP status.

Child Support Orders

An appointed non-parent guardian has legal standing under Part 7 of the Family Law Act to apply for court-ordered child support from both biological parents. The court determines whether to make an order and the amount.

An enforceable order may be enrolled in the BC Family Maintenance Agency for collection.

This is one of the least-used financial tools available to kinship caregivers, partly because filing for child support against your own adult child feels uncomfortable. But the money belongs to the child, not to the parent — and a support order recognizes that.

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and Other Tax Benefits

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit) may include an amount for an eligible child who lives with you. CRA determines eligibility using your tax return information. You may also be eligible for the disability tax credit if the child has a qualifying disability, and for provincial or federal caregiver credits.

Putting It Together

The total financial picture for a kinship caregiver in BC might include:

• CCB (up to $8,157 a year for a child under 6 or $6,883 for a child aged 6–17 in July 2026–June 2027; actual amounts depend on adjusted family net income)
• BC Family Benefit (additional provincial top-up)
• EFP support ($1,549–$1,726/month, if MCFD is involved)
• Child support (variable, court-ordered)
• Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit)

Not every caregiver qualifies for all of these, and EFP eligibility may end after a private guardianship order. But knowing the available supports means you can make informed decisions about which path to pursue.

The BC Guardianship Court Process Guide covers the post-order financial steps — including how to redirect CCB, when to pursue child support, and how to navigate the EFP-to-guardianship transition.

See more British Columbia guides →