Education savings benefits for children and youth in care
Children and youth in care can get up to $2,000 in Canada Learning Bond (CLB) benefits. They can use this money to help pay for full- or part-time education after high school.
This information is for public primary caregivers
- provincial and territorial ministries
- regional authorities
- children’s aid societies
- child protection services
- Indigenous child and family service agencies
- and others who receive the Children’s Special Allowance on behalf of children in care
Eligibility
Children and youth in care can get the CLB if:
- they were born in 2004 or later
- a public primary caregiver receives the Children’s Special Allowance for them
To receive this benefit, a designated employee of the organization must open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for the child at a financial institution of their choice.
Public primary caregivers do not need to add money to the RESP to get the CLB. If they do choose to add money, the Canada Education Savings Grant can add up to 40% of the amount contributed.
Young adults aged 18 to 20 can also get any CLB payments they were eligible for in previous years by opening an RESP for themselves.
Steps for Public Primary Caregivers
To access the CLB for children in care you need to:
- get the child’s Social Insurance Number
- choose an employee within your organization to open the RESP
- choose a financial institution to open the RESP
- help young adults access the money in the RESP for their post-secondary studies
Automatic enrolment
Starting in 2028, the Government of Canada will automatically open a RESP for children born in 2024 and after, including children in care. The CLB will be deposited in this RESP.
The Canada Education Savings Program will offer information sessions for public primary caregivers about CLB automatic enrolment.
Resources for primary caregivers
Verified Partners Portal for Children’s Services
The Verified Partners Portal for Children Services is a secure online portal for authorized representatives to submit Social Insurance Number (SIN) requests for children under their guardianship. A dedicated team at Service Canada processes these requests and returns results directly to the representative.
To access the Verified Partners Portal for Children’s Services, please contact: edsc.nc.partenairesverifies-nc.verifiedpartners.esdc@servicecanada.gc.ca.