Skip to content

More than a million Albertans received affordability payments

Program was launched in late January
31818313_web1_221022-RDA-Alta-Smith-Cabinet_1

It appears Albertans have embraced the Government of Alberta’s new affordability plan.

According to a release from the province Thursday, More than one million Albertans have enrolled and are scheduled to receive their first of six $100 affordability payments, representing $96 million in inflation relief. They estimate that over the full six months, a total of about $500 million will flow through.

The province opened an online portal for individuals to apply for affordability payments in late January.

“This is an incredible milestone in our continued efforts to keep Alberta affordable,” Matt Jones, Minister of Affordability and Utilities.

“One million children, seniors and Albertans on core support programs are now enrolled to receive monthly affordability payments to offset challenging inflationary pressures. Our government remains focused on affordability, and we will continue to explore additional relief for Albertans.”

In a release, the province said that 300,000 Albertans were auto-enrolled and more than 700,000 applied through the portal.

More than 650,000 who applied through the portal have received their first payment, with the rest to receive their first payment in the coming days.

Within the first 24 hours of the portal opening, more than 140,000 applications were successfully processed for payment, helping more than 190,000 children and 65,000 seniors.

On Jan. 31, more than 575,000 Albertans received their first payments via direct deposit or cheques, helping more than 400,000 seniors and more than 174,000 children.

As of Feb. 8, 950,000 Albertans have received or had a parent or guardian receive on their behalf, their first of up to six monthly $100 payments.

This includes 469,000 children, 380,000 seniors and 118,000 vulnerable Albertans on core support programs such as AISH, Income Support and the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program.

So far, Albertans have received $96 million in affordability payments. It is estimated that over the full six months, a total of about $500 million will flow through.

Payments have been delivered via direct deposit or cheque for all Albertans who successfully enrolled before Jan. 27. Albertans who enrolled after Jan. 27 will get their payments within 10 days of completing their application.

For help with their applications, Albertans can:

Call the Verified Account support line at 1-844-643-2789 or the Affordability Action Plan Information Line at 1-844-644-9955 or visit any registry agent or Alberta Supports centre in person to receive support in 50 locations and more than 100 languages at no charge.