The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a tax-free payment for Alberta families with children under 18 and a lower or middle income. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) pays it for Alberta four times a year, and you get it automatically when you file your taxes and qualify for the Canada Child Benefit.
It has two parts: a base component for lower-income families whether or not they work, and a working component that grows as you earn more from a job.
How much you’ll get
These are the most a family can get for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year:
| Children under 18 | Base component (max per year) | Working component (max per year) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $1,529 | $782 |
| 2 children | $2,293 | $1,494 |
| 3 children | $3,057 | $1,920 |
| 4 or more children | $3,821 | $2,061 |
The amount is split across the four payments, so each payment is roughly a quarter of your yearly total.
How the base component works: you get the full base amount if your adjusted family net income is $28,116 or less. Above that, it shrinks. The CRA says families with income between $28,116 and $47,115 may get a partial base amount.
How the working component works: it starts once your family’s employment income is over $2,760. You get 15 cents for every dollar you earn above $2,760, until you reach the maximum for your family size. It starts to shrink once your adjusted family net income is over $47,115.
Example 1: A single parent with 2 children earns $20,000 from work, and that is the family’s only income. The base component is the full $2,293, because income is under $28,116. The working component is also full: 15% of the $17,240 earned above $2,760 is more than the $1,494 maximum. The total is $3,787 for the year, or about $947 each payment.
Example 2: A parent with 1 child earns $6,760 from part-time work, with no other income. The base component is the full $1,529. The working component is 15% of $4,000, which is $600. The total is $2,129 for the year, or about $532 each payment.
For your exact amount, use the CRA’s child and family benefits calculator with your tax return in front of you.
Who qualifies
- You are the parent of one or more children under 18.
- You live in Alberta.
- You file a tax return every year.
- Your family income is low enough to qualify.
- You qualify for the federal Canada Child Benefit.
Getting AISH, Income Support or the Alberta child care subsidy does not stop you from getting the ACFB, and the ACFB does not reduce those benefits.
How to get it
There is no separate application. You are considered automatically when you file your tax return and qualify for the Canada Child Benefit.
- File your tax return every year, even if you had little or no income. Free tax clinics can help if your income is low.
- If you haven’t applied for the Canada Child Benefit yet, apply online through CRA My Account.
- Set up direct deposit in CRA My Account so payments go straight to your bank.
When it’s paid and which income is used
The ACFB is paid in August, November, February and May. The calendar at the top of this page shows the exact dates.
Payments from July 2026 to June 2027 are based on your family’s 2025 income. So the August 2026 payment was the first one calculated from your 2025 tax return, and your 2026 return will set the amounts starting in August 2027.
If your amount for a quarter works out to less than $10, the CRA may combine payments and pay you less often.
What changed in 2026
The maximum amounts went up for the July 2026 to June 2027 year. For example, the base component for one child rose from $1,499 to $1,529, and the working component rose from $767 to $782. The income levels where the benefit starts to shrink are now $28,116 for the base component and $47,115 for the working component.
The federal GST/HST credit was renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026. It is a separate payment from the ACFB.
Payment late, missing or different?
If your payment hasn’t arrived, wait 5 working days after the payment date. Then check your payment status in CRA My Account, and call the CRA benefits line at 1-800-387-1193.
Common reasons for a missing or smaller payment:
- a tax return in your household wasn’t filed
- you moved and didn’t update your address with the CRA
- your bank account changed and direct deposit wasn’t updated
- your income went up, or a child turned 18
- your amount was under $10 a quarter, so it will come later in one payment
If your family status changes, tell the CRA. Having a baby can raise your benefit. If you move out of Alberta, you may have to pay back amounts for months you didn’t live here. If you move to Alberta, you become eligible the month after you become a resident.
If the CRA finds you were paid too much, it will send a letter. For questions about repaying, call 1-800-959-2809.
The CRA never asks for payment by gift card, and never sends texts or emails asking for your password or banking details to release a benefit. If you get one, don’t click the link. Call the CRA yourself.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Child Benefit: the federal monthly payment for each child, paid on its own schedule.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: the quarterly federal payment for lower-income households.
- Canada Workers Benefit: a federal tax credit for low-income working people.
- Alberta Income Support: monthly help if you can’t cover basic needs.
- AISH: for parents with a severe disability. AISH also adds a child benefit.
Common questions
When is the next ACFB payment?
The next payment is in November 2026. The exact date is in the calendar at the top of this page.
Is the Alberta Child and Family Benefit taxable?
No. Alberta says ACFB payments are not taxable.
Do I need to apply for the ACFB?
No. Filing your tax return and qualifying for the Canada Child Benefit is enough.
Why didn’t I get the ACFB this quarter?
The most common reasons are a missing tax return, income above the limits, or an amount so small that the CRA is combining payments.
Does the ACFB affect AISH or Income Support?
No. Alberta says getting the ACFB does not affect the benefits you get from AISH, Income Support or the child care subsidy.
