In addition to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), eligible families in British Columbia receive the monthly tax-free B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB).
The Canada Revenue Agency administers both the CCB and BCCOB, and both are paid in one single monthly payment.
What is the BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB)?
Formerly known as the B.C. Early Childhood Tax Benefit, the B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment provided to parents with children under 18 years of age.
Families with a net income of $27,354 or less receive the maximum amount per child and the income threshold for calculating B.C. Child Opportunity Benefits is indexed to inflation. Income thresholds are readjusted every July.
The current payment period runs from July 2023 to June 2024.
B.C. Child Benefit Payment Dates 2023
The BCCOB is paid on the same date as the Canada Child Benefit. For 2023, the payment dates are:
- January 20, 2023
- February 20, 2023
- March 20, 2023
- April 20, 2023
- May 19, 2023
- June 20, 2023
- July 20, 2023
- August 18, 2023
- September 20, 2023
- October 20, 2023
- November 20, 2023
- December 13, 2023
For questions about your benefits, contact the CRA at 1-800-387-1193.
How Much BC Child Opportunity Benefit Will You Get?
The maximum B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit payable per child per year is as follows:
- 1st Child: $1,750 ($145.83/month)
- 2nd Child: $1,100 ($91.66/month)
- Each subsequent child under 18: $900 ($75/month)
A family with a net income of $27,354 or less receives the maximum amount. For example, if you have two children younger than 18 and your family’s net income is $27,354, you receive a total of $2,850 per year.
If your family’s net income is between $27,354 and $87,533, your total child benefit is reduced by 4% of the portion over $27,354 until it reaches:
- 1st Child: $775/year ($64.58/month)
- 2nd Child: $750/year ($62.50/month)
- Each subsequent child under 18: $725/year ($60.42/month)
For example, if your family’s net income is $60,000 and you have two children under 18, you will receive a maximum benefit of $1,525 per year (i.e. $775 + $725).
For net income exceeding $87,533, your total benefit is reduced by 4% of the amount over $87,533 until it reaches $0.
If your income is $25,806 or less, the table below shows what you receive based on the number of children (applicable from July 2023 to June 2024):
| Number of Children | B.C. Child Benefit/month | B.C. Child Benefit/year |
| 1 Child | $145.83 | $1,750 |
| 2 Children | $237.49 | $2,850 |
| 3 Children | $312.49 | $3,750 |
| 4 Children | $387.49 | $4,650 |
| 5 Children | $462.49 | $5,550 |
You can use this B.C. Child Opportunity Calculator to estimate your benefit amount.
How to Apply For The B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit
The B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit is administered by the CRA on behalf of the B.C. provincial government.
If you have applied for the Canada Child Benefit, your eligibility for the BCCOB is automatically assessed simultaneously, and a separate application is not required.
If you have not applied for the Canada Child Benefit, you can apply when registering your newborn or through your CRA My Account.
You can also complete the Canada Child Benefits Application (Form RC66) and mail it to your local CRA office.
Related: B.C. Tax Brackets and Rates.
Other Relevant BC Child Benefit Programs
Other child-related benefits applicable to residents of British Columbia are:
- Affordable Child Care Benefit
- Families with Children Tax Deferment Program, and
- Climate Action Tax Credit
Affordable Child Care Benefit
The Affordable Child Care Benefit is a monthly benefit that helps eligible families with childcare costs. It was previously known as the Child Care Subsidy.
To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must reside in B.C. and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- You must have an eligible reason for needing childcare, e.g. employment, schooling, medical condition, etc.
- You must have a family income of $111,000 or less.
How much will you receive?
The amount of childcare benefit or subsidy you receive is dependent on the number of children, the type of childcare they are in, whether they have special needs, and your household income.
For example, if your child has special needs, they may qualify for an extra $150 per month for child care.
A maximum benefit applies to each type of childcare. For example, for children under 19 months, the maximum monthly funding based on the type of childcare provided is:
- Group child care (licensed): $1,250
- Family child care (licensed): $1,000
- Registered but unlicensed care: $600
- Unregistered and unlicensed care: $438
- In child’s own home care: up to $394
The funding provided is reduced as the child grows older.
You may qualify for the maximum funding if your income is $45,000 or less and partial funding if your family income is between $45,000 and $111,000.
You can also estimate how much you are eligible for using this calculator.
For a complete list of rates for the Affordable Child Care Benefit, click here.
How to Apply
You can apply for this benefit online or submit an application by mail to Child Care Service Centre, P O Box 9953 Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9R3.
You can also fax your application to 1-877-544-0699.
You will need to provide a completed child care arrangement form (CF2798), spousal information, personal details for each child, including a government-issued ID, and reasons for needing child care.
You should apply for funding before the end of the month when you need child care.
Related: Federal and Provincial Statutory Holidays.
Families with Children Tax Deferment Program
This program offers eligible families a low-interest loan to defer property taxes on their principal residence.
To qualify for the loan, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be a registered owner of the property
- Have resided in B.C. for at least one year
- Be financially supporting an eligible child
- Have a minimum of 15% equity in the property’s assessed value
You must also be paying property taxes to a municipality or the province and not have unpaid bills.
To apply, submit your application to eTaxBC here.
The interest rate for the Families with Children Program is 6.45% (simple interest).
Climate Action Tax Credit
The B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit (BCCATC) is a non-taxable payment made to eligible B.C. residents to help them offset the carbon taxes they pay.
Similar to the other benefits administered by the CRA, the payment period for the BCCATC runs from July to June. Payment is issued quarterly and combined with the GST or HST credit.
To be eligible for this tax credit, you must:
- Be a resident of B.C., and
- Be 19 years of age or older, or
- Have a spouse or common-law partner, or
- Be a parent and live with your child
How much will you receive?
The maximum credit for July 2023 to June 2024 payment is:
- Individual: $447 ($111.75 per quarter)
- Spouse or common-law partner: $223.50 ($55.88/quarter)
- Child: $111.50 per child ($27.88/quarter). The credit is $223.50 for the first child in a single-parent family
The credit you receive is reduced by 2% of your adjusted family income over the threshold amount ($50,170) until it reaches $0 ($39,115 for individuals).
The income threshold amounts for July 2023 to June 2024 payment period are:
| Adjusted family net income threshold amount | Reduced credit if adjusted family net income is between | Adjusted net income where credit is reduced to zero | |
| Single | $39,115 | $39,115 and $61,465 | $61,465+ |
| Married or common-law with no children | $50,170 | $50,170 and $83,695 | $83,695+ |
| Married or common-law with one child | $50,170 | $50,170 and $89,270 | $89,270+ |
| Married or common-law with two children | $50,170 | $50,170 and $94,845 | $94,845+ |
| Married or common-law with three children | $50,170 | $50,170 and $100,420 | $100,420+ |
| Single parent with one child | $50,170 | $50,170 and $83,695 | $83,695+ |
| Single parent with two children | $50,170 | $50,170 and $89,270 | $89,270+ |
| Single parent with three children | $50,170 | $50,170 and $94,845 | $94,845+ |
B.C. Child Benefits FAQ
The BC Child Opportunity Benefit provides up to $1,750 for the first child, $1,100 for the second child, and $900 for each additional child per year.
For the purposes of the BC Child Opportunity Benefit, a net family income of $27,354 or lower qualifies you for the maximum benefit. For the Affordable Child Care Benefit, you may qualify for full funding if your family income is $45,000 or lower.
You could get up to $1,250 per month under the Affordable Child Care Benefit, previously referred to as the Child Care Subsidy.
The federal CCB pays up to $619.75 per month for children under 6 years of age and up to $522.91 per month for children aged 6-17. You qualify for the maximum amounts if your adjusted family net income is less than $34,863.
