Financial Benefits Summary

This fact sheet summarizes financial benefits that may be provided to eligible clients through the Effective October 1, 2020
Income Support Program. Eligibility and amounts paid are governed by the Income and Employment
Supports Act and regulations and are subject to change. See the Income Support online policy
manual for further clarification and updates.
Four-digit computer codes are listed for the administration of benefits for clients assessed as Supplement to Core Benefits
Expected to Work (ETW) and Barriers to Full Employment (BFE).
• Earnings Replacement Benefit (Code 1731):
ETW households where all adults are temporarily
Core Benefits not able to work/train
Rate: $88 per household unit
Core benefits consist of the following:
• Handicap Benefit (Code 1501): Adults assessed
• Core Essential (Code 1430): For food, clothing (including diapers), household needs
as severely handicapped, as defined by the AISH
(including furniture, appliances and household supplies), personal needs, installation and
Act.
use of a telephone, laundry, transportation (including school transportation, or costs
Rate: $179
associated with owning a vehicle), and moves within Alberta.
• Personal Needs Supplement (Code 1422): BFE
• Core Shelter (Code varies with type of shelter): For rent, mortgage, utilities (except for
Adults residing in ETW Households.
electricity in social housing), heating fuel, municipal taxes, insurance, condominium fees, lot
Rate: $80
rental, homeowner’s maintenance and damage deposit.
• High School Incentive (Code 1420): For 16-19
• Actual electricity costs (Code 1201): Clients residing in social housing. Not to exceed
year old parents attending school, where they and
Private Housing rates.
their child(ren) are dependants on an Income
Monthly Core Benefits for Expected to Work (ETW) Support file and the high school student is the legal
Core Shelter Total Care Benefits
guardian.
Household Core Living w. Social Private Living w. Social Private Rate: See 04 Special Groups
Composition Essential Relatives* Housing Housing Relatives* Housing Housing
(1430) (1134) (1115) (1130)
Other Rates
Single Adult $415 $103 $120 $330 $518 $535 $745
Single adult, 1 child $615 $103 $212 $558 $718 $827 $1,173 • Core Essential — Food Only (Code 1430): These
2 children $715 $103 $260 $578 $818 $975 $1,293 rates apply for individuals requiring food only:
3 children $815 $103 $317 $599 $918 $1,132 $1,414
• Household unit with one adult: $147
• Household unit with two adults: $140 per adult
4 children $915 $103 $377 $619 $1,018 $1,292 $1,534
• Children: $85 per child
5 children $1,015 $103 $437 $640 $1,118 $1,452 $1,655
6 children $1,115 $103 $496 $660 $1,218 $1,611 $1,775
• Comforts Allowance (Code 1405): For individuals
who live in McCullough Centre, Nursing Homes,
Couple, no children $670 $103 $193 $446 $773 $863 $1,116
Auxiliary Hospitals and Active Treatment Hospitals.
Couple, 1 child $870 $103 $262 $588 $973 $1,132 $1,458
Rate: $322
2 children $970 $103 $317 $608 $1,073 $1,287 $1,578
• Special Shelter Rates: For people in nursing
3 children $1,070 $103 $377 $618 $1,173 $1,447 $1,688
homes, hospitals, group homes, and homes
4 children $1,170 $103 $437 $639 $1,273 $1,607 $1,809 approved by Alberta Health and Wellness Mental
5 children $1,270 $103 $496 $659 $1,373 $1,766 $1,929 Health Branch.
6 children $1,370 $103 $555 $679 $1,473 $1,925 $2,049
Each add'l child add $100 $0 $0 $21 $100 $100 $100
**Each child 18-19 add $205 $0 $0 $0 $205 $205 $205
Health Benefits (Code 1900s)
People eligible for Income Support also receive health
benefits for themselves and their dependents, unless
Monthly Core Benefits for Barriers to Full Employment (BFE) they receive coverage through the federal government
Core Shelter Total Care Benefits or full coverage from their employer. Income Support
Household Core Living w. Social Private Living w. Social Private
Composition Essential Relatives* Housing Housing Relatives* Housing Housing health benefits cover basic dental care, eye exams
(1430) (1134) (1115) (1130) and glasses, prescriptions, essential diabetic supplies
Single Adult $536 $103 $120 $330 $639 $656 $866 and emergency ambulance services.
Single adult, 1 child $736 $103 $212 $558 $839 $948 $1,294 People leaving Income Support (ETW and BFE, with
2 children $836 $103 $260 $578 $939 $1,096 $1,414 employment income) may receive benefits through the
3 children $936 $103 $317 $599 $1,039 $1,253 $1,535 Alberta Adult Health Benefit (AAHB) for themselves
4 children $1,036 $103 $377 $619 $1,139 $1,413 $1,655 and their dependents. The AAHB is also available to
5 children $1,136 $103 $437 $640 $1,239 $1,573 $1,776 women during pregnancy if they have limited
6 children $1,236 $103 $496 $660 $1,339 $1,732 $1,896 household income, and households with high ongoing
prescription drug costs in relation to their income.
Couple, no children $851 $103 $193 $446 $954 $1,044 $1,297
Other families with limited income may apply for health
Couple, 1 child $1,051 $103 $262 $588 $1,154 $1,313 $1,639
benefit coverage for their children through the Alberta
2 children $1,151 $103 $317 $608 $1,254 $1,468 $1,759
Child Health Benefit program.
3 children $1,251 $103 $377 $618 $1,354 $1,628 $1,869
4 children $1,351 $103 $437 $639 $1,454 $1,788 $1,990
If a person has sufficient ongoing income to meet their
needs but is unable to meet an emergency health
5 children $1,451 $103 $496 $659 $1,554 $1,947 $2,110
need, then a Voucher or Emergency Drug
6 children $1,551 $103 $555 $679 $1,654 $2,106 $2,230
Authorization may be issued.
Each add'l child add $100 $0 $0 $21 $100 $100 $100
** Each child 18-19 add $205 $0 $0 $0 $205 $205 $205

Note: * Relative is an adult who is the parent, step-parent, adoptive grandparent, child or
grandchild of one of the adults in the household.
** 18 and 19 year old dependents must be attending high school.

Other Resources Available to Income Support Clients Include: Alberta Works helps unemployed people find and keep
jobs, helps people cover their basic costs of living and
Canada Child Benefit (CCB) helps employers meet their need for skilled workers.
The CCB is paid monthly from July to June and is based on previous year's income. For more information about Alberta Works
See: cra-arc.gc.ca/benefits Employment and Training Services, Income Support,
Health Benefits and Child Support Services click:
Alberta Child Benefit (ACB)
alberta.ca/alberta-income-support.aspx
The ACB is paid quarterly. Eligibility is based on annual income and the number of dependents
living in the household. To access the Alberta Works on-line policy manual
See: alberta.ca/alberta-child-benefit.cfm click:
humanservices.alberta.ca/awonline/
Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit (AFETC)
AFETC is paid January and July based on the previous year’s income. Call:
Income Support Contact Centre:
Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Toll free: 1-866-644-5135
CWB is paid quarterly beginning in April and based on the previous year’s income. Edmonton area: 780-644-5135

Come in:
Visit your local Alberta Supports or Alberta Works
Centre.

EMP0433 Rev. 2020-11

Supplementary Benefits (partial list)
Supplementary benefits provide additional money for particular needs. Eligibility criteria must be met to receive these benefits.

a) Continuous b) Non-continuous
Additional Shelter (Code 1109) Children's School Expenses (Code 1802)
Actual cost in excess of core shelter for: Age 4 or 5 and in kindergarten ................................................. $52
Household units of six or more Age 6 to11 or in grades 1 to 6 .................................................. $103
Accommodation adapted for a disability Age 12 or older or in grades 7 to 12 ......................................... $179
Health would be endangered by a move Child Care Deposit (Code 1831) Registration (Code 1867)
Rate: Up to $307/month Issued when required to secure child care.
Childcare Rate: Actual Cost
Private (Code 1703) Employment Training and Transition Supports
Rate: $5/hour for the first child, plus $2/hour for each additional child, up (Code 1827-HH/Code 1857-S/P)
to a maximum of $11/hour.
To participate in employment preparation programs, training, or to seek
By Grandparent (Code 1702) or maintain employment.
Grandparent not residing in same house. Rate: $511 per adult per calendar year.
Rate: $154 per child/month
Day Care (Code 1708)
Fleeing Abuse Benefits
The parent portion after subsidy. For persons leaving abusive situations.
Personal Benefit - Family Violence Shelter (Code 1407): $322
Child Supplement Allowance (Code 1738) Personal Benefit - Telephone and Transportation (Code 1732): Up to
Rate: Depending on each client circumstance, up to $205 per child. six months. Maximum $93.
Damage Deposit (Code 1801): Up to private housing core shelter rate.
Medical Extraordinary Transportation (Code 1705)
Emergency Transportation (Code 1844): Transportation cost or
Access to medical services covered by the Alberta Health Care
$0.13 per km.
Insurance Plan for severe health problems.
Escaping Abuse Benefit - To establish a residence (Code 1849):
Rate: Actual cost for bus pass, taxi, or $0.13 per km
$1,021.
Special Diet (Code 1701) Emergency Shelter - Abuse Situation (Code 1848)
Monthly Rate Per Adult or Child Relocation Allowance (Code 1865)
Low Sodium ............................................................................ Rate: $21
Medical/Surgical Supplies (Code 1912)
Low Cholesterol or Low Fat (do not issue for both) .............. Rate: $21
Rate: Actual cost up to $2,042
Low or High Potassium (do not issue for both) ..................... Rate: $21
High Calcium .......................................................................... Rate: $21 Natal and Adoptive Needs Payment (Code 1819)
High Fibre ................................................................................ Rate: $21 Rate: $256 per child
High Protein ............................................................................ Rate: $21 Special Transportation and Travel Payment
Pregnancy ............................................................................... Rate: $26 To reach safety, receive treatment, comply with Child Support Services
Infant Formula: Difference between food rate and or appear in criminal court.
actual cost of formula, up to $205. Travel (Code 1828) - Bus pass, taxi or $0.13 per km.
Breast Feeding up to 12 months ........................................... Rate: $31 Accommodation (Code 1863) - Actual cost.
High Calorie (over 2,500 calories) .......................................... Rate: $37 Food (Code 1864) - $11 per adult/ $6 per child per day.
AIDS / HIV or Hepatitis C (do not issue for both): .................. Rate: $37 Childcare (Code 1866) - Actual cost of reasonable childcare.
Diabetic or Heart Healthy (do not issue for both):.................. Rate: $41
Milk Free: $52, Lactose-Free: $21 (do not issue for both) Relocation Allowance
Celiac or Gluten Free (do not issue for both): ........................ Rate: $82 Confirmed employment (Code 1804)
Renal Failure/Insufficiency .................................................... Rate: $113 Moving out of Alberta (Code 1833)
Rate: Most economical actual cost
Transportation to Day or Employment Programs (Code 1723)
For individuals assessed as Barriers to Full Employment who are Utility Connection (Code 1817):
attending a day or employment program. For each eligible utility.
Rate: Actual cost for bus pass, taxi, or $0.13 per km Rate: Actual cost

Utility Deposit (Code 1820):

Earnings Exemption Utility Reconnection (Code 1829):
Income Support recipients can increase their total monthly income
by working. They keep all of their wages, and only a portion of their
earnings are taken into account when their financial benefits are Emergency Allowance
calculated. This is called an Earnings Exemption.
ETW/BFE
Net employment income is partially exempt.
• Single parents: First $230 of net employment income is exempt,
plus 25% of any amount over $230
• Couples: First $115 of net employment income is exempt,
plus 25% of any amount over $115 (for each working adult)
• Singles: First $230 of net employment income is exempt,
plus 25% of any amount over $230
Dependent Children
• Attending school: Net employment income is 100% exempt
• Not attending school: First $350 is exempt, plus 25% of any
amount over $350
For each eligible utility. After first issue, subject to repayment.
Rate: Actual cost
For each eligible utility. Subject to repayment.
Rate: Actual Cost
Situation is beyond individual's control, presents a serious health risk,
and cannot wait until the next benefit period.
Replacement clothes (Code 1842): $219 per adult, $164 per child.
Food - travel (Code 1850): $11 per adult, $6 per child per day or
Food Rate.
Food - non-travel (Code 1841): $23 per adult, $15 per child per month.
Childcare (Code 1840)
Accommodation (Code 1843)
Transportation (Code 1844): Public transportation cost or $0.13 per km.
Home repairs (Code 1846): Repayment required.
Appliance repairs (Code 1845): Repayment required.
Damage Deposit (Code 1851): Available once every 3 years. Actual
cost up to $358 for singles and childless couples and up to $1,021 for
families with children.
Eviction (Code 1852): After first issue, repayment required. Actual cost
up to $358 for singles and childless couples and up to $1,021 for families
with children.
Utility arrears (Code 1807): After first issue, repayment required.
Other emergency needs (Code 1847): Goods or services up to $1,021.

EMP0433 Rev. 2020-11