The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a financial assistance program designed to support low- and middle-income families in Alberta who have children under the age of 18. The ACFB funds are distributed independently from the CCB funds every year, in August, December, February and May. The ACFB payment for August 2024 is scheduled for August 27, 2024.
What is Alberta Child and Family Benefit?
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) program helps families that have children who are under 18 years of age. It is part of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) initiative; the Alberta province government transfers program administration to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The ACFB payment is scheduled to each year be made available in August, November, February and May, and the payments are distributed independently of the CCB payment. Families who are eligible in the region continue to receive assistance from the ACFB program. The program is completely funded through the Alberta government of the province.
The ACFB will be paying by end of August 2024. The Alberta Child and Family Benefits (ACFB), which are usually paid out on Friday at the conclusion of every month to all eligible households, provide a consistent and predictable financial assistance. It happens every three months.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit Payment
The CCB benefit as well as the ACFB offers different benefits for you. The maximum amount for children less than six years old that are eligible is $7,437. The maximum annual limit for each child between the ages of 6-17 is $6,275.
Your net earnings from your entire family are yet another aspect that influences the payout that you receive. The fact that these funds meet the requirements of income earned from work in the family isn’t important. The ACFB payouts are calculated based on the net adjusted income of your family amount. The benefit is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the Alberta government and consists of two components:
- Base Component: This is available to all eligible families, regardless of their employment status.
- Working Component: This is additional support for families with a working income above a certain threshold.
| Children | Maximum Base Component 2024 | Maximum Working Component 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $1,469 | $752 |
| 2nd | $2,204 | $1,437 |
| 3rd | $2,939 | $1,847 |
| 4th+ | $3,674 | $1,982 |
When a family’s net income exceeds $43,460 or $25,935, the ACFB Benefit Amount in 2024 is reduced. The amount that an applicant can receive will depend on their income, their number of children they have and the kind of program that they are required.
How to Apply for Alberta Child and Family Benefit?
Applying for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is simple, since there is no separate application process specifically dedicated to it. Instead, eligibility for ACFB eligibility will be automatically determined when applying for Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Here’s how it works:
Steps to Apply for ACFB:
1. File Your Income Tax Return:
- Make sure that you file an annual income tax return even if there is no income; the Canada Revenue Agency uses information contained within your return to determine eligibility for ACFB benefits.
- Filing on time is crucial in order to receive any benefit as delays in filing could delay receiving it.
2. Apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB):
- Applying for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) automatically qualifies you for Alberta Child and Family Benefits (ACFB) should you meet residency and income criteria in Alberta.
- Submitting an application for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) should be submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), whether online through MyCRA, via mail or visiting Service Canada offices.
3. Keep Your Personal Information Accurate:
- Maintain an updated record with the CRA regarding your marital status and number of children to help ensure you receive appropriate benefits.
- Report any significant family changes – like moving out of Alberta or having another child – as these could impact both eligibility and how much assistance is paid out to you by CRA.
What Happens Next:
Once your tax return has been processed and you meet eligibility requirements, CRA will begin issuing ACFB payments quarterly (February, May, August and November). Payments can either be received directly by direct deposit or cheque depending on which you prefer.
Once approved, no further action are required on your part; payments will continue as long as you remain eligible and file your tax returns each year.
ACFB Eligibility Criteria
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is open to a wide range of families. However, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit Program targets families with lower and medium incomes living in Alberta. To be eligible for the ACFB, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
- Must be an Alberta permanent resident.
- Minimum of 1 child under 18 years old is needed.
- They have submitted their personal income tax returns for the previous year.
There are also certain requirements for income. The government does not specify the income requirement, but it is assumed that living expenses are taken into consideration when evaluating benefits.