Navigating the costs of raising a family can be challenging for parents in Alberta. Fortunately, the Alberta government provides targeted financial support through the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB), which replaces the previous Alberta Child Benefit and Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit. This program works with the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to provide additional, non-taxable funds to low- and middle-income families.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the ACFB: what it is, who is eligible, how much you could receive, and how to ensure you get your payments without any issues.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit at a Glance
| What it is | A non-taxable quarterly payment for eligible Alberta families. |
| Purpose | To help with the costs of raising children under 18. |
| Administration | Managed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the Alberta Government. |
| Application | Automatic when you file your annual income tax returns. No separate application is needed. |
| Payment Dates | Quarterly in August, November, February, and May. |
| Key Requirement | You and your spouse/partner (if applicable) must file your 2024 tax return to be eligible. |
Who Is Eligible for the ACFB?
To receive the Alberta child benefit, you must meet all of the following conditions.
- Alberta Residency: You are a resident of Alberta on the first day of the benefit month (e.g., a resident on August 1 for the August payment).
- Parent to a Child Under 18: You are the primary caregiver for at least one child who is under 18 years of age. Once a child turns 18, they no longer qualify under the ACFB program.
- Meet Income Requirements: Your adjusted net income must fall within specified thresholds, which determine the amount of benefit you will receive. More details on income cut-offs are provided in the next section.
- Tax Filing: You (and your spouse or common-law partner) need to file personal income tax returns every year, even if there is no income to report.
- Eligible for the CCB: You must be eligible to receive the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB). The application for the CCB also serves as the application for the ACFB.
As long as families meet these requirements and file taxes annually, they can be automatically enrolled in the ACFB program without needing to submit a separate application.
How Much ACFB Can You Receive? July 2025 – June 2026 Benefit Year
Your adjusted family net income (AFNI) determines the amount of ACFB you are eligible to receive. The ACFB consists of two parts: a base component and a working income component. Your total benefit is the sum of these two parts, calculated based on your income from your 2024 tax return.
Base Component
The base component is provided to all eligible families.
- Maximum benefit: Families earning up to $27,565 qualify for the full base amount.
- Partial benefit: You may receive a partial benefit if your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) is between $27,565 and $46,191.
Maximum annual base component amounts:
| Number of Children | Maximum Base Amount | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $1,499 | $1,499 |
| 2 children | + $749 | $2,248 |
| 3 children | + $749 | $2,997 |
| 4+ children | + $749 | $3,746 |
Working Component
The working component is an additional support for working families to incentivize employment.
- You are eligible if your family’s working income is over $2,760.
- This component is reduced if your adjusted family net income is more than $46,191.
The working component depends on the amount of employment income, not total family income.
| Number of Children | Maximum Working Amount | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $767 | $767 |
| 2 children | + $698 | $1,465 |
| 3 children | + $418 | $1,883 |
| 4+ children | + $138 | $2,021 |
*These amounts are for the full year and are paid quarterly.
Source: Alberta child and family benefit – canada.ca
ACFB Payment Dates for 2025-2026
ACFB payments are issued four times a year. If the payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, you will receive it on the last business day before. The Alberta child benefit schedule for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year are:
- August 27, 2025
- November 27, 2025
- February 27, 2026
- May 27, 2026
If the payable amount for a period is less than $10, payments may be consolidated and issued less frequently, such as semi-annually or annually.
Payments are made via direct deposit if you have set it up with the CRA. Otherwise, a cheque will be mailed. Mark your calendars and budget accordingly when expecting ACFB deposits. Missed payments should be reported promptly to the CRA.
How to Apply for the ACFB
The best part of the ACFB is that there is no separate application. Your eligibility is automatically determined each year if you have already applied for the Canada Child Benefit.
Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Apply for the Canada Child Benefit (One-time only)
If you have a newborn or have just become a resident of Canada, you must apply for the CCB. This single application covers all federal and provincial child benefits. You can apply through your CRA My Account or by mail using Form RC66.
Step 2: File Income Tax Returns Annually
This is the most important step. You and your spouse or common-law partner (if you have one) must file your income tax return for the previous year (and every year’s return) by the deadline. The CRA uses this information to determine your ACFB entitlement for the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year.
Step 3: Keep Your Information
Your benefit can be affected by life changes. To ensure accurate payments, you must promptly inform the CRA of:
- Changes to your address
- Changes to your marital status
- Changes in the number of children in your care
- Updates to your direct deposit information
You can update this information instantly online via your CRA My Account.
What If I Don’t Receive an ACFB Payment?
If you believe you qualify for the ACFB but have not received a payment, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Confirm your eligibility: Make sure you meet all the ACFB requirements related to income, residency, children’s ages, and tax filing.
- Verify information in CRA My Account: Log in to your CRA My Account to see if a payment was issued and to confirm your address and banking details are correct.
- Wait 10 business days: Sometimes bank transfers or mail can be delayed. Wait at least 10 business days after the scheduled payment date.
- Contact the CRA: If you have followed the above steps and still have no payments, contact the CRA directly for assistance at 1-800-387-1193.
Staying organized with your taxes and CRA account details is key to ensuring you receive your entitled ACFB benefits.
How Does the Alberta Child Benefit Differ from the Canada Child Benefit?
While they work together, the ACFB and CCB are distinct programs. This means that eligibility criteria, payment amounts, and other details differ between these two programs.
One key similarity is that the ACFB and CCB offer automatic enrollment when taxpayers file their income tax returns, provided they meet the income and residency requirements.
While both programs have income thresholds to determine the payment amounts, the ACFB tends to have lower income cut-offs than the CCB. Middle-class families may qualify for the CCB but not the ACFB, as it primarily targets lower-income families. Payment frequency differs, with the ACFB being disbursed quarterly and the CCB coming monthly.
Importantly, both the ACFB and CCB are completely non-taxable sources of income. Families do not pay income tax on the child benefits they receive. Families in Alberta often benefit from the combined effect of federal and provincial child benefits.
Additional Health Coverage Through The Alberta Child Health Benefit
The Alberta Child Health Benefit is a program that provides additional health coverage for children from low-income families in Alberta. Administered by the provincial government, this plan helps cover expenses such as dental care, eyeglasses, prescription drugs, and ambulance services for children under 18 years old. To be eligible, families must meet income criteria based on their household size and taxable income. Applicants must be Alberta residents and Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
The Alberta Child Health Benefit supplements the basic health services already covered for all Alberta children, aiming to improve access to care and support healthier childhood development for those in financial need. With this program, the government hopes to reduce financial barriers to essential health services and promote more equitable healthcare outcomes. More information at Government of Alberta, Alberta Child Health Benefit.
Related programs in Canada
Additionally, you can view other provincial and territorial child benefit and credit programs in Canada.
The CRA administers the following child benefit and credit programs in each province and territory:
- Alberta Child and Family Benefit
- BC Family Benefit
- New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit
- Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit
- Ontario Child Benefit
- Northwest Territories Child Benefit and Cost of Living Offset
Summary
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit provides substantial financial assistance to lower and middle-income families raising children under 18 in the province. Understanding the eligibility criteria, payment structure, application process, and more can help households maximize the benefits received.
With the ACFB, Alberta continues to support families with the costs of raising children. Stay up-to-date on the latest eligibility rules and payment details so your household can benefit from this financial assistance.
FAQs on the Alberta Child and Family Benefit ACFB
Where can I get help filing my taxes for the ACFB?
Free tax clinics are available to help eligible lower-income Albertans prepare their tax returns required for the ACFB.
Why didn't I receive my ACFB payment?
If you believe you qualify but missed a payment, contact the CRA to confirm your eligibility and payment details, update your bank account information, and check that you filed your taxes on time.
When are the ACFB payments issued?
ACFB is paid quarterly in February, May, August, and November. See above in the article for the exact dates.
Do ACFB payments affect other benefits like AISH or Income Support?
No, you can still receive AISH, Income Support, or Alberta child care subsidy in addition to the ACFB. The ACFB is generally not counted as income when determining eligibility for other provincial assistance programs.
Can I receive the ACFB without the Canada Child Benefit?
No, the CCB is typically required for ACFB eligibility as they have aligned income requirements. You must qualify for the CCB first.
Is the ACFB taxable income?
No, the ACFB is not taxable. Families do not pay tax on the full amount received.
Can I get retroactive ACFB payments?
Yes. If you were eligible in previous years but did not receive payments (e.g., you forgot to file taxes), you can request a reassessment for up to 10 previous years. You must file a tax return for each of those years. Contact the CRA to initiate this process.
