Income Support

Income Support provides financial benefits to individuals and families who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter.

Income Support works in coordination with Employment and Training Services, Health Benefits and Child Support Services to ensure individuals have the tools, resources and community supports they need. Individuals have their situation assessed to identify the appropriate initial support services and employment planning required to assist the applicant to reach his or her potential for self-sufficiency.

If financial support is assessed as a need, a paper copy of the Income Support Application must be completed prior to or during an appointment with an staff member, to determine eligibility and assistance levels. At this time, we cannot accept applications that have been mailed in or process applications online. Information on Income Support and other programs can be obtained by contacting your local Alberta Service Centre.

The level of assistance varies depending on each individual’s situation including financial resources, ability to work and the number of children in the family. For example, a single person who is looking for work would receive $583 a month, while a two parent family with three children (under 12 years) would receive $1,240 a month while the parents look for work plus $461 a month from the federal National Child Benefit Supplement.

Supplementary benefits provide additional money for particular needs, such as costs related to looking for a job, caring for children or medically required diets.

People in three general situations may qualify for Income Support:

• People who have difficulty working because of a chronic mental or physical health problem or because of multiple barriers to employment (Barriers to Full Employment)
• People who are looking for work, working or unable to work in the short-term (Expected to Work)
• People who need upgrading or training so they can get a job (Learners)

People who are eligible for Income Support also receive:

• health benefits for themselves and their dependants
• information and training to find a job
• help to obtain child support payments

People are encouraged and supported to work while receiving Income Support. Employment can increase their total income and provide valuable work experience. When people receive ongoing financial assistance, they keep all of their wages, and only a portion of their employment earnings are taken into account when their benefits are calculated. This is called an earnings exemption.

The amount of the earnings exemption varies depending on an individual’s family situation and client category.

 

People receiving Income Support as an Expected to Work or Barriers to Full Employment client who leave Income Support for work can continue to receive health benefits through the Alberta Adult Health Benefit.

Albertans assessed as Barriers to Full Employment and Expected to Work can get more information from their case workers and Learners can get more information about Income Support benefits from their training provider. Information is also available by contacting an Alberta Service Centre.

Emergency Needs Allowance – Alberta Works income support provides a range of emergency benefits to eligible Albertans in need.