Alberta Affordability Action Plan

January 17, 2023

Danielle Smith announced that seniors, families with children under 18, and Albertans on benefit programs may be eligible for a non-taxable benefit of up to $600 per person (or per child in the case of families) to help with the rising cost of living.  This will be paid out at $100/month over six months.

Application opens January 18th and will remain open until June 30, 2023. To be eligible for these benefits, you must sign up for a verified Alberta.ca account. The following information will assist you in finding out if you are eligible and whether you need to apply or if you will automatically be enrolled:

Eligibility Requirements:

Eligible seniors 65 and older:
  • Age 65 or older by June 30, 2023.
    • If you turn 65 during the application period, you may apply but your payments will be held until your birth month. You will receive $100 for every month you are 65.
  • Adjusted household income is below $180,000 according to your 2021 tax return.
  • Alberta resident as of November 30, 2022, and remain so on the first day of each month between January and June to be eligible for each month’s payment.
  • Have not been incarcerated for 90 days or more during the January to June 2023 period.
  • Payments are generally seen at the end of the month the application is successfully completed.
    • If you apply between the period of January and June, payments will be retroactive to the first month you are eligible.
Eligible families and caregivers with children under 18:
  • Parent or guardian of dependent children who are under 18 between January 18 and June 30, 2023.
    • If your child turns 18 during the application period, you will get $100 for every month they are under 18.
    • If you have a baby during the application period, you will get $100 per month starting the month they are born.
    • If you share custody 40 to 60% of the time, both parents can apply to get $50 per month for each child.
  • Adjusted household income is below $180,000 according to your 2021 tax return.
  • Alberta resident as of November 30, 2022, and remain so on the first day of each month between January and June to be eligible for each month’s payment.
  • Have not been incarcerated for 90 days or more during the January to June 2023 period.
  • Note that, if you meet these requirements, you will be eligible for $100/month for each child in your custody.

Who needs to apply:

  • Seniors over 65 that are not receiving Alberta Seniors Benefit, AISH, or Income Support.
  • Families with biological or adopted children that are under 18 years of age.

Who is automatically enrolled:

  • Foster and kinship caregivers that have children under 18 will be automatically enrolled to receive the benefits, but need to apply for biological or adopted children.
  • Albertans on eligible benefit programs receiving:
    • AISH
    • Income Support
    • Alberta Seniors Benefit
    • Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)
  • If you receive benefits and have children under 18, you must apply to receive the $100 per child, per month.