Table of Contents Contents
The monthly amount you receive for the BC Family Benefit is based on the size of your family and your family’s adjusted net income. Let’s take a look at the dates you should receive this benefit as well as how you can start receiving the benefit if you don’t already.
2024 Payment Dates
Every year, the dates you receive your BC Family Benefit payments are going to be a little different because of weekends and statutory holidays. You’ll receive your 2024 monthly payments on the following dates:
- January 19
- February 20
- March 20
- April 19
- May 17
- June 20
- July 19
- August 20
- September 20
- October 18
- November 20
- December 13
As long as you’re registered for direct deposit, then these are the dates that you should notice the payments in your bank account. If you aren’t registered for direct deposit, then your cheque should be sent out at the same time, but it could take up to 10 business days before it arrives in your bank account.
No matter how you receive this payment, though, it will be combined with your Canada Child Benefit payments. For those who will receive the payment through direct deposit, it should be labelled on your bank statement as Canada Pro Deposit. This is what CCB payments show up as, so since your BC Family Benefit payments are included, they will have the same name.
How to Apply
In order to receive the BC Family Benefit, you actually don’t have to apply. In order to start receiving this benefit, all you need to do is qualify for the Canada Child Benefit and complete your annual T1 income tax and benefit return.
For those who already receive the Canada Child Benefit and are just moving to BC, you won’t start receiving the benefit until the next time you file your tax return. If you’re moving out of BC, then you should contact the CRA right away. This way, you can avoid any overpayments and the need to pay the CRA back.
Benefit Amounts
The benefit amounts that you can receive from the CRA are based on your adjusted net family income. There are three different maximum benefit amounts that you could receive, all based on your annual income. Let’s take a look.
For an annual income of below $27,354, the maximum amounts are:
| Number of Children | Maximum Annual Benefit Amount |
| 1 Child | $1,750 |
| 2 Children | $1,100 |
| Each additional child | $900 |
If your annual income is between $27,354 and $87,533, the maximum amount you could receive for each child would be:
| Number of Children | Maximum Annual Benefit Amount |
| 1 Child | $775 |
| 2 Children | $750 |
| Each additional child | $725 |
If your annual income is over $87,533, the maximum amount that you’re able to receive is:
| Number of Children | Maximum Annual Benefit Amount |
| 1 Child | $775 |
| 2 Children | $750 |
| Each additional child | $725 |
You can also receive the single-parent supplement as well if you qualify. The maximum that you can receive from this supplement is $500 for the year and is available to those who are already receiving the BC Family Benefit and you aren’t living with a spouse or a common-law partner. As long as your income is below $27,354 per year, you can qualify for the full amount. For incomes larger than this amount, you could qualify for a partial amount. If, for any reason, your combined payment amounts are below $240, then you’ll receive your payment as one lump sum payment in July.
Benefit Amounts Starting 2024
Starting in July of 2024, the benefit amounts are going to increase. This is because the amounts you receive are now going to be based on your 2023 tax return.
For those with a family net income of below $35,902, the maximum amounts you can receive are:
| Number of Children | Maximum Annual Benefit Amount |
| 1 Child | $2,188 |
| 2 Children | $1,375 |
| Each additional child | $1,125 |
For those who have income above $35,902, the maximum amounts that you can receive are:
| Number of Children | Maximum Annual Benefit Amount |
| 1 Child | $969 |
| 2 Children | $937 |
| Each additional child | $906 |
How to Qualify for the Canada Child Benefit
As we’ve mentioned, you have to be approved for and receive the Canada Child Benefit before you can start receiving the BC Family Benefit. In order to qualify for the CCB, you need to meet the following criteria. These include:
- Living with a child who’s under the age of 18
- Being a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- Being primarily responsible for the care of the child
You and your spouse must also be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons. You can also be a person who’s registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act. Lastly, you can be a temporary resident who’s lived in Canada for at least 18 months and have a valid permit by the 19th month.
As long as you meet these several factors, then you’ll be able to start receiving payments and qualify for provincial and territorial benefits. This isn’t just the BC Family Benefit either. It also applies to the Alberta Child and Family Benefits and other programs throughout the country. You could even qualify for other benefits as well, as long as you have an eligible child.
When to Apply
When you start receiving the CCB, it is based on your individual situation. You can start when your child’s born when you get custody, when the child starts living with you or when the shared custody agreement changes.
You can apply online through My Account, birth registration, and mail. Often, you’ll only need the child's birth registration in order to finish your application, but additional documents could be required based on the situation. If your child qualifies for the disability tax credit, then you can start receiving the Child Disability Benefit as well.
Once you’ve applied, you should receive your first payment within 8 to 11 weeks. It’s important to keep in mind that the maximum monthly benefit amount that you receive will vary depending on your annual income, marital status, and the number of children you have. It will also make a difference whether or not you have full custody of your child.
Overview
Whether or not you can start receiving the BC Family Benefit is based on whether you’re approved for the Canada Child Benefit and if you filed your annual tax return. As long as you do these things, you should start receiving benefits on the payment dates.
If you currently don’t receive the BC Family Benefit but are eligible, then you need to be sure that you’re already receiving CCB Benefits. If you aren’t, then you need to apply. If you are, then you need to verify that you filed your annual tax return.
As long as you’re approved for this benefit, though, you should receive your payments. As long as you file your tax return on time every year, then there should be no delay, and you should receive your payment on your next payment date.
