Important Advocacy Win for Children Living with Disabilities

Families who are raising children living with disabilities under out of care options may be eligible for an increase to your monthly maintenance payment from the provincial government. 

This applies to families who are raising children living with disabilities under out of care options – such as 54.1, 54.01, 35(2)(d), 41(1)(b) – temporary or permanent court orders through Ministry Children and Family Development or Delegated Aboriginal Authority. 

If your child does not already have the Disability Tax Credit Certificate, families must apply for this certificate first.  

The Ministry announced:  

  • Beginning in February 2022, a tax-free amount equivalent to the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) will be added to the monthly maintenance payment ($242.92 per month) 
  • This will be paid to court-ordered out-of-care providers of eligible children and youth. 
  • This increased disability supplement will be applied retroactively to April 2019.  
  • MCFD expects retroactive amounts to be distributed to you over the coming months and the increased maintenance to be ongoing. 
  • This federal program does not require income testing to receive this additional amount.  

Your next steps might include: 

  • Determine if your child may be eligible for the Canada Child Disability Benefit, or for more information and assistance – Call Parent Support Services’ Kinship Care Help Line 1-855-474-9777 (Toll Free) 
    • Includes “individuals living with impairments in physical and/or mental functions that are severe and prolonged” (for example, this may include but is not limited to FASD, (C)PTSD, autism, ADHD, vision, hearing, and mobility impairments).  
  • To receive the benefit, families must first apply for the Disability Tax Credit Certificate: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/forms/t2201.html  
    • Your medical professional will have to fill in part of this form.  
    • Your child may require formal assessment.  
  • Even if you have applied before, you may want to try again. The criteria have been changed. Your child may be eligible now.  

Parent Support Services Society of BC acknowledges the hard work of the kinship care led organization Fairness for Children Raised by Relatives who shone a light on and initiated an advocacy campaign on this issue.  

Parent Support Services Society of BC has acknowledged this inequality alongside kinship caregivers for several years.  

We thank the Honourable Mitzi Dean, Minister for Children and Family Development for listening and responding to a concern of kinship caregivers.  

We understand that this may feel like an overwhelming or confusing process. Please feel free to reach out to Parent Support Services’ Kinship Care Help Line 1-855-474-9777 (Toll Free). 

To find out more about Fairness for Children Raised by Relatives, email fairness4crr@gmail.com