Latest News

The provincial government is providing an additional financial boost to more than 350,000 B.C. families.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

More help on the way for B.C. families

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 3:30 PST, Wed February 22, 2023

—

More than 350,000 families in B.C. will get their second BC Family Benefit boost to help with the cost of living, starting immediately.

“Global inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, and paying for essentials like groceries and gas is hard on many families right now,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance. “Through the second enhanced BC Family Benefit payment, parents will have a little extra money this month to stretch their budgets and provide their family with life’s essentials.”

Recognizing people are being pinched by price surges, the B.C. government has boosted the monthly BC Family Benefit payments for low- and moderate-income families for three months, January through March. A family with two children can receive up to $350 more than usual over the three months. Added to the regular monthly payments, the three-month enhancement means a family with two children will get as much as $330 each month.

Eligibility is based on income and number of children. People can expect to see their family benefit and the bonus cost-of-living payment as a deposit or cheque through the Canada Revenue Agency alongside the federal Canada Child Benefit program. Eligible families are automatically determined when someone registers for the Canada Child Benefit.

“We're helping people with the additional challenges they’re facing right now, while making investments in a future B.C. that works for everyone,” Conroy said. “No matter what is on the horizon, we’re here for people and families in British Columbia.”

Since fall 2022, the province has provided approximately $2 billion for supports to help people with increased costs through the BC Family Benefit, the BC Affordability Credit, support for back-to-school expenses, a one-time energy rebate, and a cap on rent increases below the rate of inflation.

Budget 2023 will continue to make investments in the things that matter most to help build a stronger, more secure B.C. for everyone.

Inflation in B.C. peaked at eight per cent in May 2022 and has since dropped to six per cent as of December 2022, but inflation and prices remain high, particularly for shelter, food, and transportation. According to the Bank of Canada, inflation is expected to fall an additional three per cent mid-2023 and return to the two per cent target in 2024.

BC Family Benefit payments for February started on Feb. 20, and can take as long as 10 days to arrive for all eligible families. About 75 per cent of B.C. families are receiving the enhanced BC Family Benefit credit and about 85 per cent of those families will receive at least an additional $50 per month, per child. The BC Family Benefit was formerly known as the Child Opportunity Benefit.

For information about new and existing affordability supports, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/affordability/family-benefit.

For information about other ways to apply for the Canada Child Benefit, visit canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview/canada-child-benefit-apply.html.