Welcoming a child into your family is a meaningful and life-changing journey. Financial support can make a big difference along the way. In British Columbia, adoptive and permanent caregivers have access to several financial programs to help ease the costs of providing a loving, stable home. Exploring these supports can help families focus on what matters most—building a strong and nurturing future together.
Adoption expenses tax credit
Finalizing an adoption is an exciting milestone, and there is financial support to help ease the process. One such support is the adoption expenses tax credit. If you adopt a child under 18, you may be eligible to claim up to $19,066 (2024 tax year) in eligible adoption expenses on your income tax return. Eligible expenses include fees paid to a licensed adoption agency, reasonable travel and living expenses for the child and adoptive parents, and legal and administrative costs related to the adoption. These expenses should be claimed in the tax year that includes the end of the adoption period, which concludes when the adoption order is issued or recognized by the Canadian government. For more info on how to claim this credit, read our article on how to claim the adoption expense tax credit.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to assist families with children under 18. For July 2024 to June 2025, eligible families can receive up to $7,787 annually per child under six and up to $6,570 per child aged six to 17. To receive this benefit, ensure you file your tax return every year, even if you have no income to report. For more details on eligibility and application processes, visit the CRA website.
BC family benefit
This tax-free monthly payment supports families with children under 18 in BC. To qualify, parents must file their taxes annually and apply for the Canada Child Benefit if they haven’t already. Between July 2024 and June 2025, families can receive up to $2,188 for their first child, $1,375 for their second, and $1,125 for each additional child. Low-income single parents may also receive an extra $500 per year. The benefit decreases for families earning over $35,902 and reduces further for incomes above $114,887. A temporary bonus is included in payments until June 2025. To calculate your benefit amount and learn how to apply, visit the BC family benefit page.
Post-Adoption Assistance Program
The Post-Adoption Assistance Program helps families who adopt children with special needs from government care. It provides financial support for services like therapy, medical costs, and respite care. To qualify, families must have assets under $300,000 (excluding their home, vehicle, pensions, and RRSPs) and demonstrate that the child requires additional support. As of April 2023, monthly maintenance payments are $806.78 for children under 12 and $926.53 for those aged 12 to 19. Benefits may decrease for families with a net income over $80,000 per year. Applications must be made with the assistance of an Adoption Social Worker. For more information, visit the Post-Adoption Assistance Program page.
Other supports for permanency families
Families in other permanency arrangements, like kinship or guardianship, can access different benefits, subsidies, and resources. To help understand these options, Fairness for Children Raised by Relatives has created a comparison table that highlights the available programs. This table provides clear details on eligibility, financial support, and resources, making it easier for caregivers to navigate the programs offered by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. For more information and to view the comparison table, visit Fairness for Children Raised by Relatives.
