Alberta’s Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) continues to deliver essential support to low- and modest-income families with children under 18.
In 2025, the benefit includes two components: a base amount (approximately $124 per month per child) and a working component (about $64 per month per child for families with employment income). These payments are tax-free, delivered quarterly, and can significantly ease the financial burden of raising children.
ACFB 2025 Payment Schedule
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers ACFB payments on behalf of Alberta. Payments are issued quarterly, typically on the 27th of these months:
- February 27, 2025
- May 27, 2025
- August 27, 2025
- November 27, 2025
These will show on your bank statement as “Canada PRO Deposit” for direct deposit recipients. Cheques are mailed if direct deposit is not active.
How Much Can You Receive?
| Number of Children | Maximum Base (Annual) | Maximum Working (Annual) | Monthly Equivalent (Base + Work) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $1,499 | $767 | ~$124.91 + $63.91 ≈ $188.82 |
| 2 children | $2,204 | $1,437 | ~$120.83 per child aggregated |
| 3 children | $2,939 | $1,847 | Varies by child count |
| 4+ children | $3,674 | $1,982 | See CRA tables for breakdown |
These amounts reflect maximum annual benefits for the period July 2024 to June 2025. Actual payouts scale based on adjusted family net income, with reductions above $27,565 (base) and $46,191 (working component) thresholds.
Eligibility Criteria Explained
To be eligible for ACFB:
- You must be a resident of Alberta for tax purposes.
- Create at least one dependent child under 18.
- File your annual tax return, even with zero income—this triggers automatic assessment with your Canada Child Benefit (CCB) eligibility.
- Meet income thresholds: full benefits apply if family net income is $27,565 or less; partial benefits if under $46,191
- Working component kicks in if there’s employment income above $2,760 annually—with additional benefits tapering at higher incomes.
Why ACFB Matters to Albertan Families
- Tax-free support for daily essentials: groceries, clothing, utilities, and childcare.
- Automatic eligibility—no separate application needed once you file taxes.
- Encourages workforce participation with the working component.
- Complements the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB), offering richer support by stacking with other benefits.
The ACFB in 2025 provides a reliable, tax-free lifeline for eligible Alberta families—combining a base allowance ($124/month/child) and a working income top-up ($64/month/child).
Quarterly payments—on Feb 27, May 27, Aug 27, Nov 27—ensure ongoing financial support. Ensure you file your taxes, stay under income thresholds, and maintain CRA/account details for uninterrupted benefit delivery.
FAQs
No. Filing your federal tax return in Alberta automatically triggers ACFB eligibility if you qualify.
Yes. You’ll still get the base component. The working component only applies if there’s at least minimal employment income.