Providing more money to low-income families through the Canada Child Benefit reduces the risk of food insecurity

Abstract

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) provides up to $1,068 more annually for families with children under 6, compared to those with older children. The researchers matched CCB-receiving families with and without children under 6 across a wide suite of household characteristics to determine the impact of the additional benefit supplement on household food insecurity, the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints. Identifying the effect of the more generous child benefit for younger children contributes to a larger body of evidence showing that policy interventions reduce food insecurity when they improve the financial circumstances of low-income households.