The rules and issues around the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve and information changes consistently. Please take note of when our content was written and always go to the sources we’ve provided for the most current guidance.

The Government of Canada is doing some things to help during this difficult time. If your family qualifies, you may receive extra money on your May 2020 Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment. Here are the details. 

What is the benefit?  

If you are an eligible family, you will be entitled to an extra $300 (per child) to be added to your regular May 2020 CCB payment. This is a one-time increase to the May CCB payment for the 2019-2020 benefit year (July 2019-June 2020). 

Eligibility:   

You will get the payment increase if: 

  • You have an eligible child in your care in May 2020 
  • You (and your spouse/common-law partner, if applicable) have filed your 2018 tax return(s) 
    • If you’re late in filing your 2018 taxes you should file as soon as possible—you might be eligible for retroactive benefits and credits. 

Do I need to apply?    

If you’ve already applied for the CCB, you do not need to take any additional action. Provided you fulfill the eligibility requirements above, the increase will be calculated and applied.   

If you have never applied for the benefit before, but you meet the eligibility requirements, you can find more info on applying for the CCB on the Government of Canada’s website. 

How much is it?  

The amount you will receive is calculated based on the information from your 2018 tax return (and that of your spouse/common law partner’s, if applicable).  

The amount will be different for each family—the calculation depends on your net income—but the increase will be up to a maximum of $300 per child. 

What else to know:    

  • If you’re a parent that shares custody, you and the person you share custody with will each get half of the payment.  
  • You will receive the payment increase the same way you receive your regular CCB payment. Either by direct deposit or cheque. 

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Look through all of our COVID-19 related information on our website.      

Where do we fit in?

Yes, we are a provincial regulator. We are responsible for some very specific transactions in BC. We aren’t experts on COVID-19. We won’t – and shouldn’t – ever give medical or legal advice. But we are in a unique circumstance right now and we want to help people navigate the current reality. We don’t have all the answers, but we will do our best to share information from reliable sources, put it in ways that are easy to digest and understand, provide referrals and help you navigate this situation.    

About Consumer Protection BC: 

We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.