The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a financial assistance program set up for residents of Alberta. It supports the well-being of families in Alberta and raises the standard of living so children can get better quality of life (especially children from families with limited resources).
Did you know this program is guaranteed to pay you four times a year? Did you also know the ACFB is non-taxable? This post will provide a detailed description of the Alberta Child and Family Benefit, its eligibility criteria, how to apply, and the ACFB payment dates for 2023.
Without skipping a beat, let’s get into it.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit Payment Dates 2023
The Alberta child and family benefits are paid quarterly in four installments by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the government of Alberta.
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit dates for 2023 are:
- February 27, 2023
- May 26, 2023
- August 25, 2023
- November 27, 2023
You either get the money deposited into your bank account, or a cheque is sent to you via mail. You should enroll for direct deposits through your CRA MyAccount to ensure you’ll receive your benefits on the ACFB payment dates.
If you don’t receive your ACFB payments on the scheduled payment dates, you should wait for five working days before contacting CRA.
Also, remember that if your ACFB payment is below $10 (in a quarter of a year), it may be paid in one lump sum.
What is the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)?
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a program administered by the CRA on behalf of the government of Alberta. The ACFB was introduced in 2020 to replace two existing programs: Alberta Child Benefit (ACB) and the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit (AFETC).
The program supports families and raises the standard of living of children, especially children that come from financially limited families.
The Alberta government said that the new consolidated program, ACFB, will provide more benefits to low-income Albertans and streamlines the administration of the benefits program.
With the ACFB, the average low-income Albertan family can get up to 15 percent more benefits than the ACB and the AFETC. However, the benefits will decrease for some families.
Who Is Eligible for the ACFB?
To be eligible for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- You must be a resident of Alberta
- Have children below the age of 18
- Meet the Alberta child and family benefit income criteria
- File your income tax return
Keep in mind that getting benefits from other benefit programs in Alberta does not negatively affect your eligibility for an ACFB.
This means you can continue to receive benefits from programs like Income Support, Alberta Child Care Subsidy, and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH).
How Much Can You Get from the ACFB?
The amount you get for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit depends on your working income situation, your family’s net income, and the number of children you have below 18 years of age.
ACFB has two components called the base component and the working component. The base component pays a maximum of $1,330 to low-income-receiving families with kids. Their working/employment situation is not a factor.
As for the working component, a maximum of $681 is paid. This component is available to families with an employment income of more than $2,760. This component is meant to be an incentive for families to be a part of the workforce.
The table below should give you a detailed understanding of Alberta Child and Family Benefit amounts at a glance:
Number of Children | Max Base Component | Max Working Component |
1 child | $1,330 | $681 |
2 children | $1,995 | $1,301 |
3 children | $2,660 | $1,672 |
4 children | $3,325 | $1,795 |
How to Apply for The Alberta Child And Family Benefit
There is no separate application for the Alberta Child And Family Benefit. When you apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), you are automatically considered for the ACFB.
However, to remain eligible for the ACFB year in and year out, you must file your income tax returns (irrespective of whether you earned income from employment or not).
On a side note, if you are interested in the free tax software you can use to file taxes, check out our detailed article on the topic.
> Read more on Canada Child Benefit (CCB), its eligibility, payment dates, and how to apply
How Family Changes Affect ACFB Benefits
Regularly, the CRA reassesses eligibility and how much the ACFB can pay. Other benefit programs undergo similar processes and not just the ACFB.
It is crucial to inform the CRA of relevant changes in your family situation, like childbirth and moving to another province in Canada, as quickly as possible.
Information about yourself can be updated on the CRA website. An assessment can lead to you being qualified for more benefit payments (which is a favorable situation).
Remember that a reassessment might eliminate your Alberta Child and Family Benefit entirely (or reduce them considerably). If this scenario ever applies to you, the CRA will let you know how and why their actions have been taken.
Final Thoughts on the Alberta Child and Family Benefit
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit were created to help parents in Alberta raise their children without fearing financial hardship. It can be a tremendous financial help if you qualify.
If you want to participate, ensure you are eligible and well-informed.
FAQs on the Alberta Child and Family Benefit
Does ACFB Affect Other Government Benefits?
Your extra government benefits (like the CCB) will not be negatively affected if you are eligible for an ACFB. The ACFB payments you receive every quarterly are not documented as income and will not be factored in when calculating the amount you can receive or your worthiness for other federal or Alberta benefits.
Is ACFB Paid Monthly?
No, it is not. ACFB beneficiaries get their benefits in February, May, August, and November (in other words, quarterly). However, your CCB payments are received every month.
Can ACFB Payments Be Taxed?
ACFB is a non-taxable benefit (just like the CCB). You won’t have to include them in your income tax returns when you file your taxes.
How Often Do You Get Alberta Child and Family Benefits?
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit are received in payments four times per annum in February, May, August, and November. Families who are eligible get their payment from the CRA via the payment method already set up by them.
How Much Is the Child Benefit in Alberta?
The Alberta Child Benefit (which is now part of the Alberta Child and Family Benefit) pays a max amount of $5,120 to low/middle-income families in Alberta.
Who Is Eligible for the Alberta Child Benefit?
Applicants must have one or more kids aged 18 or under, be residents of the province of Alberta, file tax returns, and fit the income criteria set by the government.
Where Can I Get an Alberta Child and Family Benefits Calculator?
To know precisely how much you can get from the ACFB, you may utilize the CRA Child and Family Benefits calculator. However, specific details about your residency status and family will be submitted to them before you can use it.
Will I Continue to Receive CCB If I’m Eligible for ACFB?
The ACFB does not get in the way of the CCB program. You can continue to get CCB if your eligibility is still intact. Also, receiving both CCB and ACFB does not affect the amounts you can receive.
I Didn’t Receive My ACFB payment; what Can I Do?
This could be because your eligibility is no longer valid or changes to your employment/family situation tipped a balance. There are cases where income changes drastically affect the payment amounts of recipients or stop payments altogether.
If you meet all the eligibility requirements and your payments fail to arrive, you can contact the CRA.
Hi, I'm Adeola Adegoke. I am a licensed Insurance Broker in Manitoba, and I hold a master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences (with a major in Financial Modeling) from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Tanzania.
Also, I have a second master's degree in Statistics from the University of Regina, and I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Manitoba.
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