Full list of available benefits, subsidies, and emergency financial assistance for lower income families in Alberta.
Federal-Provincial Childcare Agreement
Accessible, affordable childcare for kids 0 to kindergarten age. Parent cost can be as low as $10 per day, but depend on your income. Applications are now open and reduced fees have already started in some spaces, but grant-receiving providers have up to 5 years to reach the $10/day cost.
Child Health Benefit
Who qualifies: children of low income families who do not have any other form of government health benefits. Children need to be under 18 years of age or between 18 & 20 but still living at home + attending high school to qualify.
What is covered: prescription drugs, dental services, optical services, diabetic supplies and ambulance services.
Adult Health Benefit
Who qualifies: adults who are low income + leaving income support (but have income), have high ongoing prescription needs or are pregnant
What is covered: prescription drugs, dental services, optical services, diabetic supplies and emergency ambulance costs
Child Care Subsidy
Subsidy to offset the cost of childcare for lower income families.
To qualify:
- Child must be enrolled in a licensed child care program, daycare or dayhome
- Children must be under the age of 12 and not yet in grade 7
- Parents need to be currently working, looking for work, attending school or have special needs
Income Support/Alberta Works
What it covers:
- Basic needs like food, clothing and shelter
- This monthly benefit is adjusted based on the applicants needs, financial resources, ability to work, and size of family
- Help with looking for work
- Assistance in obtaining child support (in applicable situations)
Who qualifies:
- Someone who cannot work due to chronic health problems or other barriers to full employment
- An individual looking for work, is temporarily not able to work, or is working but is not making enough to cover basic needs
- Those who need training in order to get a job
Help Receiving Child Support
Child support services are free to single parents and blended families who do not have an existing support order and meet the income guidelines.
What they help with:
- Helping to locate the other parent, if needed
- Determine paternity through DNA testing, if needed
- Negotiating child support
- Obtaining court order if negotiating fails
- Can register agreements/orders with the Maintenance Enforcement Program (The MEP enforces, collects and distributes child support on behalf of the parents)
Usually only a couple of meetings with each parent is required.
Alberta Student Aid
Student loans and grants for Albertans who want to attend eligible programs at a post secondary institution. (Grants do not ever need to be repaid!)
Emergency Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for unexpected emergencies helps when: there is an unforeseen circumstance beyond your control that presents a severe health risk and you cannot access other resources or wait for your next pay cheque or income support payment.
What is covered:
- Food & clothing
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Damage deposit
- Temporary accommodation
- Utility arrears/eviction payments (proof must be provided and this amount needs to be repaid if you need help with this more than once)
Who qualifies:
- Current income support clients
- A working Albertan who is earning income but does not have enough money to cover this one-time, short-term emergency that will not last longer than one month
- You meet the eligibility requirements
Leisure Access Program
Allows low income families to access City of Edmonton recreation, leisure and attraction facilities with a free annual pass or subsidized monthly pass. It also provides pass holders with a discount for classes/lessons offered through the movelearnplay website.
Jump Start
This is a private fund for children aged 4 to 18 who need financial support in order to be able to participate in a sport or physical activity. Proof of financial need is required.
KidSport Edmonton
KidSport provides grants for kids of families facing financial barriers so they can participate in registered sports programs. Funds up to 50% of the cost of the registration; limits apply. Proof of financial need is required.
YMCA Financial Assistance
YMCA membership and program experiences are available to lower income families at a reduced cost. Includes discounted access to childcare, fitness & aquatics, and camps
Ride Transit Program
Gives qualifying individuals access to a transit pass that can be used on Edmonton buses and LRTs at a subsidised rate
Note that most programs require the applicant to have up to date tax returns filed.
Escaping Abuse Benefit
There is a program in Alberta for family violence costs. This is a 24/7 service available to anyone fleeing domestic abuse. The weekday phone number has over 150 language options for communication.
Programs families are automatically considered for when filing their taxes:
- Canada Child Benefit
- CCB Young Child Benefit
- Canada Child Benefit
- Alberta Child and Family Benefit
- GST/HST Credit
Anyone struggling to purchase food can access grocery hampers at your local Food Bank. Note that some locations do first come, first serve and there may be a waiting period. See all Food Bank locations in Alberta with contact info here.
It’s important to note that most programs require an up to date Notice of Assessment and valid ID to process – so make sure you have filed your taxes for the most recent tax year and have an updated ID available just in case!
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