Parents, Don’t Miss Out On Canada’s $1,200 Per Child Benefit

If you’ve heard about a $1,200 per child payment in Canada and wondered if your family can get it—good news: there is a real, one-time $1,200 grant, but it’s provincial and tied to education savings.

It’s called the B.C. Training & Education Savings Grant (BCTESG), and eligible families in British Columbia can claim a one-time $1,200 deposited into a child’s RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan).

At the same time, all Canadian parents should also review the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and Canada Learning Bond (CLB), which together can add thousands of dollars per child each year.

Below is a clear, up-to-date breakdown so you don’t leave money on the table.

What exactly is the “$1,200 per child” benefit?

The $1,200 refers to the BCTESG—a one-time grant for B.C. residents only. To qualify, your child must be born in 2006 or later, and you must apply after their 6th birthday and before their 9th birthday.

The money goes straight into an RESP; no family contribution is required to receive the grant.

Key points (BCTESG):

• Amount: $1,200 (one-time) per eligible child, paid into an RESP.
• Who qualifies: Child and parent/guardian must be B.C. residents at time of application; the child must be age 6–8 (up to the day before 9) when you apply; born 2006 or later.
• Deadline window: From the 6th birthday to the day before the 9th. Don’t miss the window.
• Where to apply: Through a participating RESP provider (banks, credit unions, investment firms).

What about the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?

Even if you don’t live in B.C., you can still receive the CCB, a monthly, tax-free payment to help with the cost of raising children under 18. For the July 2025–June 2026 benefit year, the maximum annual CCB is:

• Up to $7,997 for each child under 6, and
• Up to $6,748 for each child age 6–17 (amounts scale with family income).

CCB payment dates (remaining 2025): Aug 8, Sep 10, Oct 10, Nov 10, Dec 10—paid by the CRA via direct deposit or cheque.

Education-savings boosts every parent should know

Beyond the BCTESG (B.C. only), the federal government offers two major RESP-linked boosts nationwide:

• Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG):
  • Basic CESG: 20% match on the first $2,500 you contribute yearly to an RESP (up to $500/year; lifetime max $7,200 per child).
  • Additional CESG: For qualifying incomes, an extra 10%–20% on the first $500 contributed (adds $50–$100 per year).
• Canada Learning Bond (CLB):
  • For qualifying lower-income families: $500 first year + $100/year for each additional eligible year up to age 15 (lifetime max $2,000). No contribution required—just open an RESP.

Quick comparison table (2025)

Program	Who Can Get It	How Much	Key Eligibility / Notes
BCTESG (B.C. only)	B.C. resident child born 2006+	$1,200 one-time (into RESP)	Apply between ages 6–9; both child and parent/guardian must be B.C. residents at application; apply via RESP provider.
CCB (federal)	Families in all provinces/territories with kids <18	Up to $7,997 (<6) or $6,748 (6–17) per year (indexed)	Income-tested; paid monthly; remaining 2025 dates: Aug 8, Sep 10, Oct 10, Nov 10, Dec 10.
CESG (federal)	Anyone with RESP	20% on first $2,500 ($500/yr), plus extra 10%–20% on first $500 for qualifying incomes (+$50–$100/yr); lifetime max $7,200	You must contribute to RESP to get CESG; match is automatic after contribution.
CLB (federal)	Lower-income families with RESP	$500 first year + $100/yr to age 15 (max $2,000)	No contribution needed; money deposited to RESP once eligible.

How to claim the $1,200 BCTESG step-by-step (B.C.)

1. Open an RESP for your child if you don’t already have one.
2. Confirm eligibility: child born 2006 or later; you and the child are B.C. residents; child is age 6–8 (before turning 9).
3. Visit a participating RESP provider (bank/credit union/investment firm) and ask to apply for the BCTESG; complete the provider’s BCTESG form. Bring ID + SINs.
4. Keep proof of the application and watch for the $1,200 to be deposited into the RESP (timelines vary by provider).

Smart stacking: turn $1,200 into much more

• Pair BCTESG with CESG: Once the RESP is open, your regular contributions can trigger the 20% CESG match (and possibly the Additional CESG), compounding the value of the initial $1,200 over time.
• Check CLB eligibility: If your family income qualifies, the CLB can add up to $2,000 with no contributions required—don’t miss it.
• Don’t forget CCB: Use your monthly CCB (tax-free) to help fund RESP contributions and unlock more CESG each year. For 2025, CCB maximums increased again (indexed to inflation).

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Missing the age window (BCTESG): If you wait until after your child turns 9, you lose the $1,200. Set a reminder around the 6th birthday. Government of Canada
• No RESP = no grant: BCTESG, CESG and CLB all flow through an RESP—open one early. Government of Canada
• Assuming it’s nationwide: The $1,200 one-time grant is B.C. only; other provinces may have their own supports, but terms differ. Government of British Columbia
• Skipping direct deposit for CCB: Set up CRA direct deposit so payments arrive on the official monthly dates without delays. Government of Canada

Parents, don’t miss out on the $1,200 BCTESG if you live in British Columbia—it’s a simple, one-time boost that kick-starts your child’s education savings.

Open (or check) your RESP, apply during the age-6-to-8 window, and then stack federal programs: use the CCB to help fund RESP contributions, trigger the CESG match each year, and check your eligibility for the CLB.

With a few timely steps, a one-time $1,200 can snowball into thousands of dollars of future education support—without straining your monthly budget.

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