Benefits for grandparents
British Columbia grandparents who have assumed custody of their grandchildren may be unaware of the possible governmental help available to them to help. In fact, there are several benefits intended to help provide for the children’s needs for which grandparents may be entitled.
Even in situations where the grandparents are the children’s caregivers but do not have legal custody, they may qualify to access benefits through the Extended Family Program. Those with legal custody of children may have several different benefits available to them, including benefits through the Canada Pension Plan for children under 25, child disability benefits, universal Child Care benefits for children younger than six, child care subsidies and employment insurance family supplements.
Other assorted benefits are available to grandparents who adopt their grandchildren or for those who took in their grandchildren through the government’s foster care ministry. These benefits may be vital for grandparents who no longer work full time or who no longer possess the same earning potential that they did when they raised their own children. In addition to these various benefits programs, grandparents who care for their grandchildren may be eligible for certain tax deductions and credits.
British Columbia provides certain benefits to grandparents and other relatives in whose homes children are living. The living arrangements of the child in the relative’s home determine the types of benefits for which the caregiver is eligible. For more information regarding available benefits, grandparents who have their grandchildren living with them may wish to discuss the specifics of their situation with a lawyer who accepts family law cases. The lawyer may help identify available benefits and assist the grandparents or other relatives with preparing and submitting the program applications.
Source: Family Law, “Benefits for grandparents and other relatives raising children“, December 10, 2014
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