Who is Eligible for Affordability Payments?
There are two general groups of Alberta residents who are eligible for these support payments:
- Families with children under 18 years of age.
- Residents who are 65 years of age or older.
Additionally, both groups must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the affordability payments:
- The adjusted 2021 household income of the applicants must be below $180,000.
- The applicants must be Alberta residents as of November 30th, 2022.
Affordability Payments
Eligible families will receive $100 per month for each child under 18 from January 2023 – June 2023 ($600 for each child).
Residents 65 years of age or older who successfully apply will receive $100 each month from January 2023 – June 2023 ($600 total).
What Happens if Someone Applies Late?
If an applicant was eligible to receive affordability payments but applies late, the individual will still receive payments retroactive to the first month of eligibility.
What Happens if a Family has a Child that Turns 18 Sometime Between Jan-Jun 2023? What Happens if a Family has a Baby During this Time?
The family should be eligible for payments for every month up until the child turns 18, then the payments for that child will stop.
If a family has a baby during the January – June 2023 period, that family will be eligible for payments starting in the month the baby was born.
What Happens if a Person Turns 65 During this Time?
The individual would begin to receive payments starting in the month he/she turns 65.
Seniors on Income Support
If a senior is eligible for the affordability payments and is already receiving AISH, Income Support, Alberta Seniors Benefit, or other supports through PDD, there is no need for the senior to apply to receive affordability payments.
Deadline to Apply
June 30th, 2023.
What Does a Person Need to Apply?
- Valid identification
- SIN
- Banking information
Note: Provided that an applicant has filed a 2021 tax return, the Alberta government will calculate the adjusted household income amount, so there is no need to provide a tax return when applying.
Other Notes:
- Affordability payments are not taxable.
- To apply online, the applicant must have a verified Alberta.ca account.
- Most Albertans will receive payments at the end of the month in which their application is successfully completed.
- Payments are retroactive to the first month of eligibility.
- Apply anytime between January 18 to June 30, 2023.
- Applicants who are 65 years of age or older and are a caregiver for a child under 18 years of age are eligible for both the $100 payment per month as a senior, and $100 per month per child as a caregiver.
- Applicants who are receiving AISH, Income Support, Alberta Seniors Benefits, or PDD and have dependent children under 18 will need to apply to receive payments for the children under their care.
How to Apply
To learn more about the program and to apply online, please follow this link to the Alberta government website: https://www.alberta.ca/affordability-payments.aspx
Alternatively, applications can be made in person at an Alberta Registry Agent office.
