The Alberta Seniors Benefit is a monthly, income-tested payment from the Alberta government for seniors 65 and older who get the federal Old Age Security (OAS) pension. It is paid on top of OAS and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), not instead of them.
From July 1, 2026, a single senior with income of about $32,690 or less, or a couple with about $53,800 or less combined, may qualify.
How much you’ll get
Your benefit depends on your income, whether you have a spouse or partner, and where you live. These are the yearly maximums for July 2026 to June 2027:
| Where you live | Single senior (max per year) | Senior couple (max per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Own home, rented home or lodge | $3,946 | $5,918 |
| Continuing care home | $12,466 | $16,412 (one partner still at home) |
| Other residence types | $2,749 | $5,496 |
If the income used to calculate your benefit is $0, you get the maximum. For every dollar above $0, it goes down. For a single senior at home, renting or in a lodge, it drops by about 17 cents per dollar (the exact rate is 0.1714). For a couple, the rate is 0.1717.
The income limits above assume you get the full OAS pension. In a continuing care home, the Supplementary Accommodation Benefit is added to the same monthly payment.
Which income counts
Alberta starts with your total income (line 15000 of your tax return), plus your spouse’s or partner’s, from the previous calendar year. It then subtracts your OAS, the GIS and Allowance, social assistance, RDSP income, RRSP and pension plan deductions, and up to $3,600 of employment income. CPP and workplace pensions still count.
Example 1: A single senior who rents has $8,000 a year of countable income, such as CPP. The benefit is $3,946 minus $1,371 (0.1714 × $8,000), which is about $2,575 a year, or about $215 a month.
Example 2: A couple who own their home have $15,000 of countable income combined. The benefit is $5,918 minus $2,576 (0.1717 × $15,000), which is about $3,343 a year, or about $279 a month.
For your own estimate, use the Seniors Benefit Estimator on alberta.ca.
Who qualifies
- You are 65 or older. Benefits can start the month you turn 65.
- You have lived in Alberta for at least 3 months right before applying.
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- You receive the OAS pension.
- Your income is under the limit for your situation.
How it works with OAS and GIS
You must be getting OAS. If you or your spouse have chosen to delay OAS, you can’t get the Alberta Seniors Benefit until OAS starts.
OAS and GIS are not counted as income here, so getting the GIS does not lower this benefit. All three use your previous year’s tax return, so file on time every year.
The Alberta Seniors Benefit is paid on a different day from OAS and the GIS.
How to apply
- Apply online, or print the Seniors Financial Assistance application from alberta.ca. You can also call 1-877-644-9992 for a form by mail.
- If you haven’t filed last year’s taxes, add the income information form. If it’s your first time applying and your income has dropped, you can add an income estimate form.
- Add a void cheque for direct deposit, and send it online, by fax to 780-422-5954, or by mail to Seniors Financial Assistance, PO Box 3100, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W3.
You can get up to 11 months of back payments, but not for months before you turned 65.
What changed in 2026
New income limits and maximum amounts took effect on July 1, 2026, for the benefit year that runs to June 30, 2027.
If you’re on AISH or ADAP, those end once you can get OAS. AISH clients aged 60 or older stayed on AISH when ADAP started in July 2026, so plan your OAS and Alberta Seniors Benefit applications before you turn 65.
Special Needs Assistance for Seniors
This program helps with costs that other programs don’t cover, up to $5,872 in a benefit year. You need a Seniors Financial Assistance application on file first.
| Your situation | Primary and secondary items | Primary items only |
|---|---|---|
| Single senior | Income $28,290 or less | $28,291 to $32,690 |
| Senior couple | Income $45,600 or less | $45,601 to $53,800 |
It can cover things like:
- diabetes supplies (up to $1,441 a year if you use insulin)
- a personal emergency response service (up to $25 a month)
- housekeeping, grass cutting and snow removal (up to $1,412 a year, secondary items)
- one appliance or furniture item a year, such as a bed or washer
You need a receipt or estimate, and receipts can be up to 12 months old. The fastest way to claim is through your MyAlberta Seniors account.
Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)
SHARP is still open. It offers homeowners 65 and older a low-interest home equity loan of up to $40,000 for repairs and changes such as a walk-in tub, stair lift or new furnace. Household income must be $75,000 or less, and you need at least 25% equity left after the loan. The rate is 4.45% simple interest, reviewed each April and October. There are no monthly payments; the loan is repaid when you sell or move out.
If you can’t get a loan and your income is under $32,690 (single) or $53,800 (couple), you may get a repair grant instead. See SHARP on alberta.ca.
Payment late, missing or different?
If your payment isn’t in your account on the scheduled day, call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992, Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 8 pm. Have your Alberta Personal Health Card ready.
Common reasons for a missing or smaller payment are an unfiled tax return, higher income last year, a move, new bank account or change in marital status you haven’t reported, or new amounts starting in July.
Alberta will never ask for a fee, gift cards or your banking password by text or email. If a message asks for this, don’t reply. Call 1-877-644-9992 yourself.
Other help you might be missing
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: many seniors who get this benefit also qualify for the GIS.
- CPP retirement pension: if you worked in Canada, apply if you haven’t yet.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: a quarterly federal payment when you file your taxes.
- Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors: help with dental and eyeglass costs.
Common questions
How much is the Alberta Seniors Benefit in 2026?
From July 2026 to June 2027, a single senior at home can get up to $3,946 a year, and a couple up to $5,918. You get less if you have other countable income.
Does the GIS reduce the Alberta Seniors Benefit?
No. OAS, the GIS and the Allowance are taken out of your income before your benefit is worked out.
Do I need to do anything each year?
File your taxes on time. Your application lets the Canada Revenue Agency share your income with Alberta, and your benefit is recalculated from it.
Can I get it if I delayed my OAS?
No. If you or your spouse have delayed OAS, you are not eligible until OAS starts.
