Ben Nguyen 
As part of the Canada Child Benefit system, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) provides financial assistance to lower and middle-income families with children under 18 in the province of Alberta. This provincially-administered program complements the federal Canada Child Benefit to offer supplemental child benefits for eligible Albertan families.
This article will cover key details about the ACFB, including eligibility requirements, payment amounts, application process, and more. As a provincial component of the national Canada Child Benefit framework, the ACFB works within federal guidelines while tailoring support specific to the needs of Alberta families.
What is the Alberta Child and Family Benefit?
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit is a provincial complement to the federal Canada Child Benefit. It is a non-taxable payment made by the Alberta government to support families with the costs of raising children. The ACFB works alongside the federal CCB to offer targeted child benefits for Albertan families in financial need. Some key facts about the ACFB:
- Replaces the previous Alberta Child Benefit and Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit programs.
- Administered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of the Government of Alberta.
- Made up of two components: a base amount and a working income supplement.
- Paid on a quarterly basis, with 4 payments per year.
- Fully funded by the provincial government, separate from the federal Canada Child Benefit.
The ACFB provides targeted financial assistance to lower and middle-income families. It helps cover the costs of raising children under 18 and can make a significant difference for Alberta families struggling to make ends meet.
Who Is Eligible for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit?
To qualify for the ACFB, families must meet several eligibility criteria:
Alberta Residency
At least one parent or guardian must be a resident of Alberta.
Age of Children
There must be at least one child under 18 years old. Once a child turns 18, they no longer qualify under the ACFB program.
Income Thresholds
The applying family’s adjusted net income must fall within specified thresholds, which determine the amount of benefit they will receive. More details on income cut-offs are provided in the next section.
Tax Filing
Both parents or guardians need to file personal income tax returns every year, even if they have no income to report. The Canada Revenue Agency uses the tax return information to determine ACFB eligibility and calculate benefit amounts.
As long as families meet these requirements and file taxes annually, they can be automatically enrolled in the ACFB program without needing to apply separately.
What Are the Alberta Child and Family Benefit Income Thresholds?
Your adjusted family net income (AFNI) determines the amount of ACFB you are eligible to receive. The ACFB consists of a base component and a working component.
Base Component
The base component is provided to all eligible families.
- Maximum benefit: Families earning up to $27,024 qualify for the full base amount.
- Partial benefit: Income between $27,024 and $45,285 gets a reduced base amount.
- No benefit: Income over $45,285 likely receives no base component.
Working Component
The working component is additional support for families with employment income.
- Families qualify for the working component once their family employment income exceeds $2,760.
The working component depends on the amount of employment income, not total family income.
How Much Is Child Benefit In Alberta?
The amount of ACFB a family receives depends primarily on two factors:
- Number of children under 18
- The adjusted family net income (AFNI)
Here are the maximum benefit amounts you may be entitled to for July 2024 to June 2025:
Base Component
| Number of Children | Maximum Base Amount | Total Maximum Base Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $1,469 | $1,469 |
| 2 children | + $735 | $2,204 |
| 3 children | + $735 | $2,939 |
| 4+ children | + $735 | $3,674 |
Working Income Component
| Number of Children | Maximum Working Amount | Total Maximum Working Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $752 | $752 |
| 2 children | + $685 | $1,437 |
| 3 children | + $410 | $1,847 |
| 4+ children | + $135 | $1,982 |
The benefit includes both a base component (ranges from $1,469 to $3,674) and a working component (ranges from $752 to $1,982), with combined benefits to a maximum of $5,656.
*These amounts are for the full year and are paid quarterly.
When Are Alberta Child and Family Benefit Payments Issued?
The ACFB is paid quarterly, with 4 payments across the year:
- August
- November
- February
- May
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.
Most families receive the ACFB through direct deposit into their bank account. If banking information is not available, payments will be issued by cheque.
Here are the Alberta child benefit dates for 2024:
- February 27, 2024
- May 27, 2024
- August 27, 2024
- November 27, 2024
And the the Alberta child benefit schedule for 2025:
- February 27, 2025
- May 27, 2025
- August 27, 2025
- November 27, 2025
Mark your calendars and budget accordingly when expecting ACFB deposits. Missed payments should be reported promptly to the CRA.
How Do I Apply for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit?
Applying for the ACFB is straightforward, as it is administered through the tax system:
File Income Tax Returns
To be considered for the ACFB, both parents/guardians need to file personal income tax returns every year, even with no income. The CRA will use the family net income amount from their tax returns to determine eligibility and calculate the ACFB amount.
Automatic Enrollment
After tax returns are filed, eligible families are automatically enrolled in the ACFB program. There are no separate forms to submit.
Check Eligibility
Once tax returns are processed, you can verify eligibility and view ACFB details by logging into CRA My Account online or contacting CRA.
Update Information
Make sure to update your marital status, address, direct deposit, and family details with the CRA whenever there are changes to ensure accurate payments.
As long as families continue to file taxes annually and meet the ACFB requirements, they can receive payments without needing to reapply each year.
What If I Don’t Receive an Alberta Child and Family Benefit 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.
- Check CRA My Account: Log in to view your ACFB details and confirm whether a payment was issued.
- Update personal information: Review that your address, marital status, dependents, and direct deposit details are up to date with the CRA.
- Allow 10 business days: There can be delays in bank transfers. Wait at least 10 business days beyond the scheduled payment date before contacting the CRA.
- Contact the CRA: If you still don’t receive the ACFB after allowing time for delays, contact the CRA directly for assistance at 1-800-387-1193.
- Request retroactive payment: If you missed filing your taxes or updating your marital status, you may be able to request retroactive ACFB payments by contacting the CRA.
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 both the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) provide financial assistance to families with children, some key differences exist between these federal and provincial programs.
The ACFB is funded by the Alberta government but administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of Alberta, while the CCB is a federal program also administered by the CRA. 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. Once enrolled, there is no need to submit a separate application for either benefit, although families may need to apply for the CCB initially if they have a new child or have just moved to Canada.
Payment frequency also differs, with the ACFB being disbursed quarterly and the CCB coming monthly. The ACFB payment dates are fixed, while the CCB is issued on the 20th of each month.
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 the ACFB primarily targets lower-income families.
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.
While the two programs share similarities, key differences exist in administration, payment timing, amounts, and income thresholds. Families in Alberta often benefit from both federal and provincial child benefits working together.
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 pay for expenses like dental care, eyeglasses, prescription drugs, and ambulance services for kids 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.
Benefits and Impacts of the Alberta Child and Family Benefit
The ACFB program provides several valuable benefits and positive impacts for lower and middle-income families in Alberta:
- Reduces child poverty rates: Research shows that the ACFB has contributed to cutting Alberta’s child poverty rate. The increased income support helps lift families above the poverty line.
- Covers costs of raising children: The ACFB provides extra funds to help pay for expenses related to raising kids, such as food, clothing, activities, school supplies, etc. This alleviates financial stress.
- Incentivizes work: Because the ACFB working component depends on family employment income, it rewards parents for participating in the workforce.
- Automatic support: Families don’t have to apply separately, since benefits are based on tax returns. This removes barriers to access for those most in need.
- Non-taxable: The ACFB does not count as taxable income, allowing families to keep the full amount they receive.
In summary, the ACFB enables lower-income families to better support their children’s development and well-being. The data shows it is an effective program for reducing child poverty and removing barriers to success.
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
New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit
Newfoundland and Labrador 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.
Some key takeaways:
- The ACFB is administered by the CRA on behalf of the Alberta government. It replaces the previous Alberta Child Benefit and Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit.
- Eligibility is based on Alberta residency, family income thresholds, having children under 18, and filing annual tax returns.
- Quarterly payments are made in February, May, August and November. Direct deposit is typically used.
- The amount of ACFB depends on the number of children and adjusted family net income. There are set maximum amounts.
- Applying is easy through tax filing. Update the CRA about any family or financial changes.
- Contact the CRA if you have any issues receiving ACFB payments or need to request retroactive amounts.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Alberta Child and Family Benefit
How do I apply for the ACFB?
You don't need to apply. Just file your annual income tax return and the CRA will automatically assess your eligibility if you meet the requirements.
What are the ACFB eligibility requirements?
To receive the ACFB you must be an Alberta resident, have a child under 18, meet the income thresholds, and file income tax returns.
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?
No, you can still receive AISH, Income Support, or Alberta child care subsidy in addition to the ACFB. The payments do not affect eligibility for other 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.
How are ACFB payment amounts calculated?
Payments depend on your family income, number of children under 18, marital status, and other deductions/exemptions. See details above.
Can I get retroactive ACFB if I missed applying?
Yes, contact the CRA to request retroactive payments if you forgot to file taxes or update your marital status when eligible. You need to have qualified during those periods.
