VICTORIA – More than 285,000 families throughout B.C. will see bigger
payments in their bank accounts starting this month, thanks to the
permanently increased BC Family Benefit.
“Global inflation and higher interest rates continue to be hard on many families
right now,” said Grace Lore, Minister of State for Child Care. “The BC Family
Benefit is one way we’re helping families provide the food, clothes and
opportunities their kids need to have the best start possible.”
The BC Family Benefit is a regular monthly payment from the provincial
government. Eligibility is based on income and number of children. The
benefit reaches families with yearly earnings below $106,908 with one child
and $143,783 with three children.
As of July 2023, the benefit increased by an additional $250 per year for a
two–parent family of four and as much as $750 for a single–parent family with
two children. Approximately 95% of single–parent families in B.C. get the
benefit, with payments averaging $2,254 over the year.
“While we can’t control global forces, we can lower costs for people and take
some pressure off families,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance. “The
increase to the BC Family Benefit, the expanded climate action tax credit,
record investments in child care, and free contraception for everyone in B.C.
These are just some of the actions we’re taking to put more money in people’s
pockets.”
Other recent measures the Province has delivered to save people money
include a new credit for renters coming in 2024, a rent cap below this year’s
inflation, and increases to the BC Family Benefit for the first three months of
2023. (news.gov.bc.ca)
