Alberta Child and Family Benefit Payment Dates 2025: Key Information
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) payment dates for 2025 are scheduled for February 27, May 27, August 27, and November 27. This article provides detailed information about these crucial dates and other essential aspects of the ACFB program, administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the Alberta government.
Understanding the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a vital program providing direct financial assistance to lower and middle-income families residing in Alberta with children under the age of 18. Introduced in July 2020 by consolidating the Alberta Child Benefit and the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit, the ACFB aims to enhance the quality of life for children and support family well-being.
The program is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the Alberta government and is indexed to inflation, meaning benefit amounts adjust annually based on the benefit period running from July to June.
ACFB Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit, families must meet several requirements. You must be a parent of one or more children under 18 years old and be a resident of Alberta.
Critically, you must file an annual tax return and meet specific income criteria outlined by the program. Importantly, receiving other benefits like Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Income Support, or the Alberta child care subsidy does not disqualify you from receiving the ACFB, nor does the ACFB affect those other benefit amounts. Free tax clinics are available to help eligible lower-income Albertans prepare their returns.
How to Apply for the ACFB
Applying for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit is straightforward because no separate application is required. Eligibility is automatically assessed when you file your annual tax return and qualify for the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB). The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) manages this process, ensuring that qualifying families receive the benefit without further action. If you need to apply for the Canada Child Benefit itself, you can do so online via the CRA.
Understanding ACFB Payments
The delivery and timing of ACFB funds are managed carefully to ensure families receive support throughout the year.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit Payment Dates 2025
The specific Alberta Child and Family Benefit payment dates are set for quarterly distribution by the CRA. Mark your calendars for these important dates:
- February 27, 2025
- May 27, 2025
- August 27, 2025
- November 27, 2025
Understanding these dates helps families budget and plan their finances effectively around the receipt of this benefit.
Payment Administration and Frequency
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) handles the disbursement of ACFB payments on Alberta's behalf. Payments are issued quarterly, typically through direct deposit or cheque. It's worth noting that if your eligible quarterly amount is below $10, the CRA might consolidate payments and issue them less frequently than quarterly.
Calculating Your ACFB Amount
The amount your family receives from the Alberta Child and Family Benefit depends on your adjusted family net income (from the previous tax year) and the number of children under 18 in your household.
Base and Working Components Explained
The benefit consists of two parts: a base component and a working component. The base component is available to lower-income families, regardless of whether they earn employment income. Families may also be eligible for the working component if their family employment income exceeds $2,760 (based on the reference period).
This component increases by 15% for every additional dollar earned over this threshold, up to a maximum benefit amount. This structure is designed to encourage families to join or remain in the workforce, as earning more can lead to higher benefits up to a certain point.
Maximum Benefit Amounts (July 2024 - June 2025)
The maximum benefit amounts are determined annually for the benefit period running from July to June. The table below shows the maximums for the July 2024 to June 2025 period. Benefit amounts for the base component begin to reduce once family net income exceeds $27,024, and the working component begins to reduce once family net income exceeds $45,285 (based on 2024 thresholds).
| Number of children | Base component (max.) July 2024 – June 2025 | Working component (max.) July 2024 – June 2025 | Total Maximum Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $1,469 | $752 | $2,221 |
| 2 children | $2,204 | $1,437 | $3,641 |
| 3 children | $2,939 | $1,847 | $4,786 |
| 4 or more children | $3,674 | $1,982 | $5,656 |
You can use the Government of Canada’s child and family benefits calculator online to estimate your potential entitlement, using figures from your income tax return.
Example Scenarios
To illustrate how the ACFB works: Consider a family with two children under 18, a combined adjusted family net income of $26,000 (based on the 2023 tax year), and an employment income of $28,000. For the 2024–2025 benefit year, they would be eligible for the full base component of $2,204 and the full working component of $1,437, for a total annual benefit of $3,641, paid quarterly.
Alternatively, a family with one child under 18, a net income of $20,000, and no employment income would be eligible for the full base component of $1,469 annually. They would not be eligible for the ACFB’s working component due to having no employment income over the $2,760 threshold.
Impact of Household Changes
Changes in your household status can affect your ACFB eligibility and payment amount. For example, if you have another child, your household may qualify for a greater benefit. Conversely, if your family leaves Alberta, you may have to return some of the money received for the months you were not living in the province.
If your family moves to Alberta, you will become eligible in the month after you become a resident. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) reassesses eligibility regularly as updated household information is received. If you qualify for a greater benefit than initially paid, the CRA will issue an additional payment. If you qualify for a smaller benefit or no benefit, you will receive a letter regarding repayment of any amount received over your entitlement.
Is the ACFB Taxable?
A key feature of the Alberta Child and Family Benefit is that payments are non-taxable. You do not need to report these amounts as income on your annual tax return, simplifying your tax filing process.
What to Do If a Payment is Missed
If you expect an ACFB payment and do not receive it by the scheduled date (e.g., one of the Alberta child and family benefit payment dates 2025), the CRA advises waiting five working days before contacting them. This allows adequate time for potential mail delays or electronic processing issues to resolve.
Contact Information
For inquiries specifically about the ACFB payments or other CRA-administered Alberta programs, you should connect with the Canada Revenue Agency directly:
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Toll free: 1-800-959-2809
- Website: CRA-administered Alberta programs information available online.
For general information about other social supports available in Alberta, you can contact Alberta Supports at 1-877-644-9992.
In summary, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit provides essential quarterly support to eligible families, with the key payment dates for 2025 being February 27, May 27, August 27, and November 27. Eligibility is automatically assessed via tax returns, and the non-taxable benefit amount depends on income and family size, incorporating both base and working components. Understanding these details helps families anticipate and utilize this valuable provincial support. Have you filed your latest tax return to ensure your ACFB assessment is accurate for the upcoming benefit year?
If you want to know other articles similar to Alberta Child and Family Benefit Payment Dates 2025: Key Informationy ou can visit the category Benefit Payment Dates.
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