By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Inflation Relief

Over one million Albertans registered for affordability payments

Feb 9, 2023 | 12:58 PM

The Government of Alberta says it is prepared to distribute nearly $100 million per month in inflation relief.

The province is providing a total of $600 over the course of six months to families with household incomes under $180,000 and who have dependent children, seniors who do not receive the Alberta Seniors Benefit, Albertans who receive benefits through Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Income Support, and those who benefit from services through the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program.

Minister of Affordability and Utilities Matt Jones says these payments are just one way the government plans to help Albertans get through the affordability crisis.

“This is an incredible milestone in our continued efforts to keep Alberta affordable,” says Jones. “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.”

According to a media release from the province, 140,000 Albertans applied for the financial distribution within the first 24 hours of applications being opened.

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As of January 31, 2023, a total of 700,000 Albertans applied through the online portal while 300,000 were auto-enrolled.

By February 8, 2023, the government says 950,000 people had already received their first of up to six monthly installments of $100.

Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish says he is proud of the public servants who developed a “first-of-its-kind” online application portal in less than two months.

“This is further proof that with technology and innovation we can modernize our processes, provide high-quality solutions and more user-friendly tools that will deliver better value and outcomes for Albertans.”

Eligible Albertans can still qualify for affordability payments using their MyAlberta Digital ID or by visiting a registry office.

For assistance with applications, Albertans can:

• Call the Verified Account support line at 1-844-643-2789
• Call the Affordability Action Plan Information Line at 1-844-644-9955.
• Visit any registry agent or Alberta Supports centre in person to receive support in 50 locations and more than 100 languages at no charge. During the application period, Alberta Supports is providing extended hours from:
  • 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Friday
  • 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

READ MORE: Applications for Alberta’s “affordability payments” open Jan. 18