During the child protection process, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (the ministry) or an Indigenous Child and Family Service Agency might place a child who needs protection in someone else's care. The child's caregiver might be anyone who has an established relationship with the child or a cultural or traditional responsibility toward the child. The caregiver doesn't have to be a relative.
If you're raising someone's child, you might be able to get government benefits (money). The amount of money you can get to pay for the child's needs depends on whether you have a guardianship order or an adoption order, are caring for a child informally, or are a foster parent (the ministry placed the child with you).
The table here lists some of the benefits that might be available if you're caring for a child who needs protection and when you might get the benefits. You have to meet certain qualifications to get some of these benefits.
- Many of the benefits listed are available to relatives and non-relatives. Check with the appropriate agency to find out for sure.
- The table gives general information only and doesn't include benefits in specific situations. Rules change and there are exceptions. Check to find out whether the information applies to you.
- The table includes links to agencies for more information.
Benefits and who qualifies
* The ministry's interim policy and procedures (April 2010) limit eligibility for Extended Family Program benefits to caregivers who don't have guardianship of the child. They also require the child's parents to agree to the Extended Family Program.
** These benefits might also be available to caregivers who don't have a guardianship order.
| Benefit | Adoption | Guardianship order | Foster care |
| Extended Family Program | No | No * | No * |
| Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Benefits for Children under 25 (based on disability or death of a parent or other person who had care and control of the child and contributed to CPP) | No | Yes ** | No: benefits go to the Public Trustee to be held for the child |
| Income tax deduction for dependents with disabilities | Yes | Yes ** | No |
| Child Disability Benefit | Yes | Yes ** | No |
| Canada Child Benefit | Yes | Yes ** | No |
| Employment Insurance (EI) Family Supplement | Yes | Yes ** | No |
| Affordable Child Care Benefit (for parents with low incomes or if the Ministry of Children and Family Development recommends it) | Yes | Yes ** | Yes |
| Income assistance (welfare) benefits, including disability assistance (PWD) and Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers benefits (PPMB) | Yes: the child is part of your family unit | No: not on behalf of the child, who qualifies instead for the Extended Family Program benefits, which pays more than welfare; the caregiver qualifies for welfare ** | No: getting the basic family foster care rate doesn't affect the caregiver qualifying for welfare |
| Foster care payments and benefits | No: some exceptions like post-adoption assistance | No | Yes |
| BC's Adoption expense credit (also check with an accountant to find out how adoption might affect your personal income tax) | Yes | ||
| Maintenance (child support) from the child's biological parents | No | Yes: deducted from the Extended Family Program benefits ** | No: any maintenance payments go to the ministry |
| BC Training and Education Savings Grant | Yes: if the child was born after January 1, 2007, adopted by parents who live in BC, and the child later goes to post-secondary school in BC | Yes: if the child was born after January 1, 2007, adopted by parents who live in BC, and the child later goes to post-secondary school in BC | Yes: if the child was born after January 1, 2007, adopted by parents who live in BC, and the child later goes to post-secondary school in BC |
These websites also have information about benefits you might qualify for:
- Canada Revenue Agency — general information about federal benefits
- BC Federation of Foster Parent Associations — information about foster care; also has a support phone line
- Parent Support Services Society of BC — information for grandparents raising grandchildren; also has a support phone line, advocacy services, and publications