Specific criteria are used to check if a family qualifies for the Affordable Child Care Benefit.
These criteria include: Residency and Status in Canada Status, Type of Care, Qualifying Reason for Child Care, Income, Application Date, and Renewal.
Residency and Status in Canada
A parent or guardian must be:
- A resident of B.C. (you must have a current B.C. address)
- A Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection
Note: The applicant must complete an application and supply the ministry with the Social Insurance Number (SIN) of the parent and the parent's spouse (if any). If the applicant’s SIN does not begin with a number 1 through 7, supporting documentation to prove the applicant’s status in Canada is required.
Type of Care
Most types of child care are eligible. Refer to the rates and understanding payments page for information about funding rates. You can also use the Affordable Child Care Benefit Estimator to see how much funding you may qualify for. Non-Licensed child care by a family member who lives in the same household with you, or licensed occasional care, or drop in care and recreational care are not eligible for funding.
Qualifying Reason for Child Care
Parents must provide one of the following reasons for requiring child care:
- Working or self-employed
- Attending school
- Participating in an employment program
- Looking for work (only one parent or guardian)
- Living with a medical condition that interferes with your ability to care for your child
- Your child is attending a licensed preschool program
- Your child care is arranged or recommended by a Ministry of Children and Family Development or Indigenous Child and Family Services Agency social worker
- Your child care is arranged or recommended by a staff member authorized by an Indigenous authority to provide child and family services under Indigenous law
Income
The Affordable Child Care Benefit is an income-tested program. The ministry uses your annual income, less deductions, or adjustments, to determine eligibility. Generally, families that earn up to $111,000 may qualify for funding. Families that earn more than $111,000 but have considerable deductions for family size or children who have support needs may also apply.
Find out more about sharing your income information with the Ministry of Education and Child Care Families may be exempt from income testing when a child is living with the applicant following an agreement under the Child, Family and Community Service Act or an Indigenous law.
Application Date
Apply for funding before the end of the month in which you need childcare. For example, if you would like to receive funding for childcare starting September 1, you need to apply by September 30.
Renewal
Benefits must be renewed yearly or when there is a change in qualifying reason for requiring child care. Use My Family Services or an Application form (CF2900).
Proof of birth
A document with first name, last name, and date of birth. For example:
- Birth certificate or birth registration
- Hospital record of birth or record of the physician/nurse/midwife who attended the birth
- Passport
- Record of landing or confirmation of permanent residence issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Citizenship certificate
- Note of decision or temporary resident’s permit issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- Certificate of Indian status card
- Provincial identity card
Proof of legal status
A document showing citizenship or immigration status in Canada. For example:
- citizenship certificate
- confirmation document
- record of landing, confirmation of permanent residence;
- permanent resident card
- visitor record
- temporary resident permit
- study permit
- positive notice of decision
- verification of status document
- registration date with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
- passport
- foreign passport
Proof of primary responsibility for the care and upbringing of the child
For example:
- a letter from the day care or school authorities indicating the child’s home address and contact information on file
- a letter from a social worker, physician, a band council, or a resettlement officer stating that they have personal knowledge that the child lived with you for the period you indicated
- a registration form or a receipt from an activity or club the child was enrolled in for the period you indicated
- a court order, decree, or separation agreement that explains the type of custody arrangement you have (for example, shared custody) and clearly shows the living arrangements for the child
- any other document showing that the child lived with you for the period you indicated
Proof of residency in Province
For example:
- lease agreement
- rent receipt
- household bill
- gas
- electricity
- cable television
- telephone
- driver's license
- vehicle registration or car insurance
- membership in social or professional organization
- Other:
- bank information
- employment information
Proof of residency in Canada
A document that displays your name and current home address and confirms that your primary place of residence is in the province or territory that is providing the benefit. For example:
- Driver's license
- Mortgage, rental or lease agreement
- Child Tax Benefit Statement
- Employer record (pay stub or letter from employer on company letterhead)
- Income tax assessment (most recent)
- Insurance policy (home, tenant, auto or life)
- Monthly mailed bank account statements for savings or chequing accounts (does not include receipts, bank books, letters or automated teller receipts)
- Mortgage, rental or lease agreement
- Motor Vehicle Permit (plate or vehicle portions)
- Property tax bill
- School, college or university report card or transcript
- Statement of Direct Deposit for social assistance or income assistance in your province or territory (for example, Disability Assistance, Hardship Assistance, Income Support, Assured Incoome, Social Solidarity, etc.)
- Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E
- Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P)
- Statement of Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), or Registered Home Ownership Savings Plan (RHOSP) from a financial institution (bank, trust company, credit union)
- Utility bill received by mail (home telephone, cable TV, public utilities commission, hydro, gas, water)
- Valid Provincial or Territorial Driver's Licence
- Temporary Driver's Licence (you must also show a photo license card with the same address)
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contribution
- Valid Photo Identification
Social Insurance Number
For example:
- confirmation of SIN letter
- plastic SIN card (non-expired)
Updated How to Apply
You can apply in one of two ways:
Apply online at My Family Services
Submit your application all at once or save it and finish later. Once started, you will have 60 days to complete your application. After you apply, you can log in to review messages about the status of your application. It takes approximately ten business days to process electronic applications.
Apply by mail
Download forms and supporting documents for the Affordable Child Care Benefit including the Consent to Collect CRA Records form (CF2930)(https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/family-and-social-supports/child-care/childcarebc-programs/accb/cf2930.pdf) and mail to:
Child Care Service Centre
PO Box 9953 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9R3
OR Fax
Include a cover page
1 877 544-0699
You can also get help in person from
Before you start, make sure you have:
- You have found and selected a child care provider.
- Together with your care provider, ensure that all the relevant sections of the Child Care Arrangement Form (CF2798) are fully completed and signed by both parties. You will be required to submit this form with your application.
- You have personal information and identification for everyone on your application.
You will be asked to:
- Provide the name, birth date for you, your spouse (if applicable), and your children
- Provide contact information you and your spouse, if applicable. Once you submit your part of the application, your spouse will receive an email with a code. They can use this code to log into [My Family Services with a BCeID] (https://www.bceid.ca/register/basic/account_details.aspx?type=regular&eServiceType=basic). Your spouse will be able to provide their personal information and consent. Canada Revenue Agency will confirm their income.
- A copy of one piece of government-issued identification is required for each family member. Examples include:
- Birth certificate
- Canadian citizenship card
- Permanent resident card
- Passport
- Driver's licence
- BC Services Card
- Certificate of Indian Status
Note: Convention refugees or persons in need of protection must confirm their status in Canada. Accepted documents include letters, documents or certificates from the Government of Canada.
Information to support your reasons for needing child care:
- Working or self-employed: Your work schedule with days and hours scheduled to work
- Looking for work: A journal of activities related to looking for a job
- Living with a medical condition that interferes with your ability to care for your child: Medical Condition Form (CF2914)
- Attending school: School acceptance letter or registration and your school timetable with the days and hours you are scheduled to attend
- Participating in an employment program: A copy of your registration in the employment program or Single Parent Employment Initiative