Keeping Alberta affordable
As part of the Affordability Action Plan, millions of Albertans struggling with inflation and the high cost of living can apply for the Affordability Payments program until June 30, 2023.
- Families with household incomes under $180,000 can apply for $600 per child under 18.
- Seniors who have household incomes under $180,000 and do not receive the Alberta Seniors Benefit can apply for $600 per person.
- AISH , PDD, CPP Disability, Income Support and Alberta Seniors Benefit clients will automatically get their personal $600 payment, but will need to apply for additional payments if they have kids under 18.
Applications now open
Apply from January 18 to June 30, 2023.
Application portal updates
You can now edit your dependents, banking and payment method information online if you applied through the portal and at a registry office if you applied in person. In-person applicants can also update their mailing address, email and phone number. Learn more.
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Step 1: Confirm your eligibility
Find out if you are eligible, and if you need to apply or if you will get automatic payments.
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Seniors 65 and older
How it works
- Seniors who do not receive the Alberta Seniors Benefit can apply to get $100 per month for 6 months, for a total of $600 per person.
- Alberta Seniors Benefit recipients do not need to apply as they will get payments automatically.
Eligibility
- Age 65 or older by June 30, 2023.
- Adjusted household income is below $180,000 according to your 2021 tax return (gross household income minus medical, education and split pension deductions).
- 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.
- Federal benefit recipients (Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security) can still apply if they do not receive the provincial Alberta Seniors Benefit.
When to apply
- Apply between January 18 and June 30, 2023 following the steps below.
- You can get help applying online or in person from trusted family members or friends, if needed.
- If you turn 65 during the application period:
- you can apply at any time but payment(s) will be held until your birth month
- you will receive $100 for every month you are 65
- If you are the parent or guardian of dependent children under 18, you can also apply to receive $600 per child when you complete your application.
Payments
- Payments will be issued in 6 monthly installments of $100 starting at the end of the month your application is successfully completed. Exact timing will vary.
- If you apply late in the application period, payments will be retroactive to the first month you are eligible.
- Affordability payments are non-taxable and will not affect your eligibility for the Alberta Seniors Benefit.
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Families and caregivers with children under 18
How it works
- Families can apply to get $600 for each dependent child under 18.
- Foster and kinship caregivers will automatically get payments for each child under 18 placed in their care, but will need to apply for biological or adopted children.
Eligibility
- Parent or guardian of dependent children who are under 18 between January 18 and June 30, 2023.
- Adjusted household income is below $180,000 according to your 2021 tax return (gross household income minus medical, education and split pension deductions).
- 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.
When to apply
- Apply any time between January 18 and June 30, 2023 following the steps below.
- 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.
- If you are 65 or older, you can also apply to receive the $600 payment for seniors when you complete your application.
- If you are on AISH, Income Support or PDD and have dependent children under 18, you will need to apply to receive payments for your children.
Who is not eligible
- Parents who do not have custody at least 40 to 60% of the time.
- Parents of children in care.
- Child or youth who live in group homes as expenses are paid by Children's Services.
- Youth living independently as living expenses are paid by Children's Services.
Payments
- Payments will be issued in 6 monthly installments of $100 per child starting at the end of the month your application is successfully completed. Exact timing will vary.
- If you apply late in the application period, payments will be retroactive to the first month you are eligible.
- Automatic monthly payments to foster and kinship caregivers caring for children under 18 will start January 31.
- Affordability payments are non-taxable.
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AISH, PDD, Income Support and Seniors Benefit clients
How it works
- Albertans on eligible benefit programs will be automatically enrolled to receive their personal $600 affordability payment.
Eligibility
- Receive regular monthly benefits or services between January 18 and June 30, 2023:
- AISH
- Income Support
- Alberta Seniors Benefit
- Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)
- Alberta resident as of November 30, 2022, and remain so on the first day of each month between January and June 2023 to be eligible for each month’s payment.
When to apply
- Benefit clients will automatically get their personal affordability payment. There is no need to apply.
- Clients with dependent children under 18 will need to apply online or in-person to get an additional $600 per child (See the families with children section for details).
Payments
- Payments of $100 per month for 6 months will be issued automatically starting January 31.
- Affordability payments will be issued separately from your benefit payments. Exact date will depend on when you were enrolled.
- AISH, Income Support and Seniors Benefit clients will receive the payments the same way as your regular monthly benefit payment (direct deposit or cheque).
- PDD clients who do not receive benefit payments will get the affordability payment by cheque.
- Payments for dependent children will be made by direct deposit starting at the end of the month your application is successfully completed. Exact timing will vary.
- Affordability payments are non-taxable and will not affect your eligibility or existing benefits for AISH, PDD, Income Support or the Alberta Seniors Benefit.
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Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability clients
How it works
- Albertans enrolled in the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) benefit on their 2021 tax return will automatically be enrolled to receive their personal affordability payment.
Eligibility
- Receiving regular monthly benefits between January 18 and June 30, 2023.
- Adjusted household income is below $180,000 according to your 2021 tax return (gross household income minus medical, education and split pension deductions).
- Alberta resident as of November 30, 2022 and remaining so on the first day of each month between January and June 2023 to be eligible for each month’s payment.
When to apply
- Eligibility is based on 2021 tax return information from the Canada Revenue Agency.
- Albertans who received CPPD benefits on their 2021 tax return will automatically be enrolled to receive their personal affordability payment.
- Individuals who did not file a tax return or who began receiving CPPD benefits on or after January 1, 2022 need to apply by calling 1-844-644-9955.
- Clients with dependent children under 18 will need to apply online or in-person to get an additional $600 per child (See the families with children section for details).
Payments
- A lump sum payment of $600 will start being delivered to clients in late April and May.
- Affordability payments are non-taxable and will not affect your eligibility for existing benefits.
Questions
- To find out if you are eligible, call the Affordability Action Plan Information Line at 1-844-644-9955.
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Step 2: Sign up for an Alberta.ca Account
Sign up for a pending or verified Alberta.ca Account (formerly MyAlberta Digital ID). You need it to apply online.
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Learn more about the verified Alberta.ca Account
To apply online you need a pending or verified Alberta.ca Account (formerly known as MyAlberta Digital ID). If you already have one, skip ahead to Step 3: Apply.
- An Alberta.ca Account is a secure and confidential way to prove your identity online.
- You will need a 'pending verified' or 'verified' level account to apply for the affordability payment online.
- If you already have a 'basic' account, you will need to upgrade by adding your valid Alberta driver's licence or ID card to your profile.
- Once your ID is entered, your account will be upgraded to 'pending verified'. You can now apply for your payment. You do not need to wait for the activation code to arrive in the mail to be able to apply.
- Each Alberta.ca Account must have a unique, individual email address.
- It is not possible to create two accounts using the same email address.
- There are many free email providers (gmail, yahoo, hotmail).
Sign up for an Alberta.ca Account
Verified vs. pending verified account
- A 'pending verified' account means you have added your ID to your profile but have not yet entered the activation code that will arrive in the mail. You can apply for your affordability payment at this stage.
- A 'verified' account means you have completed both steps to confirm your identity. You will be able to access all available services.
For additional support
- If you are unable to create an account, you can apply for the affordability payment in person at a Registry Agent or Alberta Supports Centre near you.
- Review the Alberta.ca Account common questions.
- Go to the affordability payments get help section.
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Step 3: Apply for affordability payments
Most people will need to apply for the affordability payments online or in person by June 30, 2023.
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Apply online
Once you have a 'verified' or 'pending verified' Alberta.ca Account, you can apply for your affordability payment online using the secure application portal.
- Applications will be accepted any time between January 18 and June 30, 2023.
- To complete your application online:
- Open the application portal
- Click 'create application' and answer a series of eligibility questions
- Once eligibility is confirmed, sign in with your verified Alberta.ca Account
- Once signed in, complete the rest of the application
- Before clicking submit, ensure all information is correct – you may not be able to change it after
- Gather the following information to complete your application:
- Social Insurance Number(s) for yourself and your spouse, if applicable
- Bank account, institution and transit numbers to receive payments by direct deposit, or mailing address to receive a cheque
Apply for affordability payments online
For additional support
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Apply in person
If you are unable to create a verified account or apply online, you can apply in person for no charge at any:
- Registry Agent (contact for business hours)
- Alberta Supports Centre (Monday to Friday from 8:15am to 4:30pm)
What you need to bring
- Valid identification:
- Alberta Driver's Licence or ID Card to prove identity and residency, OR
- Other identification and proof of residency (see list of options below)
- Social Insurance Number
- Banking information (account, institution and transit numbers) for direct deposit
- Mailing address to receive payments by cheque and/or your eligibility results
If you do not have an Alberta driver's licence or ID card that is not expired for more than 6 months, you may need to provide separate documents to prove your identity and residency. The other accepted documents listed below must be valid and not expired. The lists are not inclusive.
Accepted proof of identity
- Driver’s licence or ID card issued by an official government outside of Alberta
- Canadian-issued travel documents such as a:
- Passport
- Certificate of identity (grey) – issued to non-Canadians lawfully admitted to Canada as permanent residents who meet certain conditions
- Travel document for refugees (blue) – issued to non-Canadians who have been determined to have Convention refugee or 'protected person' status in Canada
- Foreign passport
- U.S. Passport Card
- Canadian citizenship certificate with photo (issued prior to February 1, 2012)
- Permanent resident card
- Temporary resident permit or refugee protection claimant document
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status
- Métis Nation of Alberta Card
- Department of National Defence (DND) Driver Permit (DND404)
- Military ID cards NDI20 and NDI21
- Possession and Acquisition Licence
- NEXUS Card
- Single Journey Travel Document, Single Journey Travel Document for Resettlement to Canada, and Emergency Travel Document for a Single Journey Only (all issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada)
- Temporary confirmation of registration document issued by Indigenous Services Canada
- Temporary Resident Permit
Accepted proof of Alberta residency (paper or electronic)
- Utility, gas, phone or cable bills
- Bank or credit card statements
- Residential lease agreement
- Pay stub
- Insurance Policy Pink Card
- Statutory declaration completed in a registry agent office stating you are a resident of Alberta
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Step 4: After you apply
- Once the application is successfully completed, most Albertans will start getting payments at the end of that month. Exact timing will vary for each person.
- Cheque payments will take longer to arrive.
- Affordability payments are non-taxable.
Watch the video or read below to find solutions to problems you may encounter when applying. We will add more tips as we learn from your experiences.
Protect yourself from scammers tricking you into sharing sensitive info.
- Remember, to receive the affordability payments you must create a verified Alberta.ca Account and apply on a secure site.
- We will never send you unsolicited emails, text messages or call you by phone asking for your personal information.
- If you see something suspicious or think you've been the target of a scam, report it to the police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
Contact us
Call the Affordability Action Plan Information Line if you have questions or issues applying for the affordability payments.
Related information
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