Like many other Canadian provinces, the province of British Columbia implemented child benefit programs to provide financial support to help residents of British Columbia take care of their children and meet the costs of child-related expenses. One of those programs is the BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB), which is designed to provide non-taxable financial aid to low-income and middle-income earning individuals and families in the province to help them provide for their children under 18. The BCCOB payment dates are usually on or near the 20th of each month.
Depending on your income, you may be eligible to receive $1,600 per year for the first child of the family, $1,000 per year for the second child, and $800 per each additional child.
What Is The BC Child Opportunity Benefit Or BCCOB?
The BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB) is a child benefit program that provides tax-free monthly benefit payments to low-income and middle-income earning individuals and families with children below the age of 18. The program aims to help offset the costs of living expenses for themselves and their children.
In 2020, the BCCOB, funded and sponsored by the provincial government of British Columbia, replaced the BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers the BC Child Opportunity Benefit on behalf of the British Columbia government. The amount you may receive every month for being a BC Child Opportunity Beneficiary depends on your annual income as reported on your income tax and benefit returns.
Important: Click here if you were locked out of your CRA account.
BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB) Payment Dates For 2023
The CRA issues out BCCOB payments together with the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) as a single monthly payment.
If you are eligible for the BC Child Opportunity Benefit in 2023, you will receive your payments on the following dates:
- January 20, 2023
- February 18, 2023
- March 18, 2023
- April 20, 2023
- May 20, 2023
- June 20, 2023
- July 20, 2023
- August 19, 2023
- September 20, 2023
- October 20, 2023
- November 18, 2023
- December 13, 2023
BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB): Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive the BCCOB, you must:
- Apply for and receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
- File your income tax and benefit returns (both you and your spouse or common-law partner)
The CRA will use the information you provided when registering for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to determine your eligibility for the BC Child Opportunity Benefit. If your child or children are already registered for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), they will be automatically enrolled in the BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB) program.
BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB): How Much Can You Receive?
The amount you may be eligible to receive for BC Child Opportunity Benefit is calculated by the CRA based on the information you and your spouse or common-law partner provided when you filed your income tax and benefit returns.
The maximum BCCOB amount you may receive is:
- $1,600 per year for the first child of the family.
- $1,000 per year for the second child.
- $800 per year for each additional child under the age of 18.
The BC Child Opportunity Benefit is an income-tested program. Hence, your net income or your family unit's net income may affect the amount you receive.
If your adjusted family net income exceeds $25,806 but is less than $82,578, your BC Child Opportunity Benefit payment will be clawed back by 4% of your income above $25,806.
The amount you may be eligible to receive for BCCOB if your adjusted family unit's net income is between $25,806 and $82,578 is:
- $700 per year for the first child of the family.
- $680 per year for the second child.
- $660 per year for each additional child you have below the age of 18.
If your adjusted family net income is $82,578 or more, your BC Child Opportunity Benefit payment amount will be clawed back by 4% of your adjusted family net income above $82,578.
The higher your adjusted family net income, the lesser your benefit amount till it is completely clawed back to zero.
The income threshold is adjusted every year and indexed to inflation.
You can also use the Federal Child and Family Benefits Calculator to determine how much you may be eligible to receive as BCCOB.
Related: You may also be interested in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payment dates, or in the CPP survivor benefits.
How To Apply For The BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB)
To apply for the BC Child Opportunity Benefit, you must first register your child for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) with the CRA.
If your child is already registered for the Canada Child Benefit, the CRA will automatically reassess them for the BCCOB.
If your child is not yet registered for the Canada Child Benefit, you will need to apply to receive the CCB through the CRA, and only then will you be eligible to receive the BCCOB benefit.
You can apply by registering your child for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) at birth, or you can register using your CRA My Account.
For any inquiry about the program, you can contact the CRA at 1-800-387-1193 (toll-free within Canada).
In Summary
Low-income and moderate-income earning families and individuals who have children under the age of 18 may be qualified to receive the BC Child Opportunity Benefit or BCCOB if they are registered to receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). The CRA issues BC Child Opportunity Benefit payments on behalf of the British Columbia government together with your BCC payments.
The BC Child Opportunity Benefit offers non-taxable financial aid to eligible families to help them care for their children. Eligible individuals will receive both the BCCOB and the CCB as one single payment on the same day.
However, to keep receiving the benefits, you must ensure that you and your spouse or common-law partner file your income tax and benefit returns every year.
BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB) FAQs
What is the BC Child Opportunity Benefit or BCCOB?
The BC Child Opportunity Benefit or BCCOB, formerly called BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit, is a child benefit program that offers tax-free monthly payments to low-income and middle-income earning individuals and families with children under the age of 18 to help offset the costs of child-related expenses and to provide for their family.
Is the BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB) taxable?
No, the BC Child Opportunity Benefit is a non-taxable monthly payment, and you do not have to include it as income when filing your income tax returns. You also do not owe taxes deductible from the BCCOB amount you receive.
Do I have to file my income tax and benefit returns to receive the BC Child Opportunity Benefit?
Yes, you and your spouse or common-law partner will have to file your income tax and benefit returns every year to receive the BC Child Opportunity Benefit. This is because the CRA uses the information you provide on your tax returns to determine your eligibility and how much you're entitled to receive from the program.
How can I be eligible to receive the BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB)?Â
You can be eligible to receive the BC Child Opportunity Benefit if you are registered to receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). If you already receive the CCB, you will be automatically registered for the BCCOB.
However, if you are not registered for the CCB, you can apply by registering your newborn child or using your CRA My Account.
You must also file your annual income tax and benefit returns annually to be eligible. The CRA uses that to determine your eligibility for the BC Child Opportunity Benefit.
Are the income threshold amounts for the BC Child Opportunity Benefit (BCCOB) indexed?
Yes, the income threshold amounts are indexed to inflation every year. The thresholds are adjusted at the beginning of each benefit year in July.
