Child and Youth Support Program

Overview

The Child and Youth Support (CYS) Program provides financial and medical benefits for a child when the parents/guardians are unable or unwilling to care for the child, and the child is being cared for in another home of an adult caregiver.

This program is intended to supplement some of the child’s needs and offset some of the costs associated with the care. The care and responsibility of the child remains with the parents/guardian and caregiver. The CYS program promotes stable relationships for children by offering an alternate out-of-home placement.

Forms

Private Child Care Receipt/Verification (PDF, 92 KB)

Authorization for Private Child Care (PDF, 118 KB)

Eligibility

The caregiver and child may be eligible to receive benefits if:

• the child’s parents/guardians have provided a letter of consent for the caregiver to provide care for the child or
• the caregiver has private guardianship of the child
• the child is under 18 years of age at the time of application
• the child’s income does not exceed the financial guidelines of the program
• the child/youth is attending school, employed full-time or attending a full-time training program
• the child must be residing with the caregiver seven days per week
• the parent/guardian who is unable or unwilling to provide care for their child may not be living in the same home as the caregiver
• the caregiver does not live on-reserve (the Child Out of Parental Home Program is available for caregivers who live on-reserve)

Biological and adoptive parents are not eligible to apply for the CYS benefits for their own children.

Benefits available

The amount of the benefits vary based on the age and income received on behalf of the child.

Basic benefit

• Children 0-11 years: Up to $105/month
• Children 12-17 years: Up to $148/month

Limited supplementary benefits

• Extended medical coverage under the Alberta Child Health Benefit Program
• Child care Expenses
• School fees/expenses
• Annual Supplementary Benefit: Up to $200/year

Income received

The income of a caregiver is not considered in determining eligibility for this program. Certain income that may be received on behalf of or directly by the child is considered for determining program eligibility. This income includes:

• maintenance/child support payment
• SFI or assured support where the child is a dependant
• income received through the child’s employment
• the child’s student loans or grants

The Canada Child Tax Benefit and the Canada Child Benefit Supplement are exempt income sources.

How to apply

More information and application forms are available at all Child and Family Services offices. The caregiver is required to provide documentation to support the application. The caseworker may require an in-person meeting with the caregiver and child.

Contact your local office directly, or call 310-0000 toll free for the phone number of the office nearest you.