Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gave an update on the social benefits that are being increased as a result of inflation.   

“Nowhere is the need for help more urgent then for those on fixed incomes. Albertans like low-income seniors and AISH recipients have limited flexibility to adapt to pricing increases and right now they are being steadily squeezed as inflation continues to eat away at their spending power,” said Smith in her announcement.  

Starting in January, AISH, income support and the Alberta Senior’s benefit rates will rise by six per cent.  

In February, the quarterly payments for the Alberta Child and Family benefit will also increase by 6 per cent.  

“Each one of these programs will see rates indexed to inflation, so that payouts keep pace with the surging cost of living. Albertans who receive AISH and income support benefits will see the extra money before Christmas. Seniors benefit recipients will get the increase in their first payments about a month later near the end of January. Low-income families will receive extra money starting in February with their first quarterly Alberta Child and Family benefit payment for 2023,” said Smith.  

Here’s a look at some examples of the benefit rate changes for January 1, 2023: 

Examples are based on the maximum core monthly benefit rates for single people with no children: 

  • $1,685 to $1,787 - AISH 

  • $745 to $790 - Income Support (expected to work) 

  • $866 to $919 - Income Support (barriers to full employment) 

  • $286 to $303 - Alberta Seniors Benefit 

Indexation will increase the benefit payments per child by six per cent for families who access the Alberta Child and Family Benefit. The increased benefit payment for annual totals, based on whether a family has anywhere from one to four children, follows: 

  • one child - $120 

  • two children - $198 

  • three children - $260 

  • four children - $307 

Benefit increases are based on the consumer price index for 2022 and benefit rates vary depending on Albertans’ needs, household composition and other factors. 

Alberta’s government will invest about $45 million in 2022-23 and $173 million in 2023-24 to support indexation of the AISH, Income Support and Alberta Seniors benefit programs, and about $7 million in 2022-2023 and $35 million in 2023-2024 to support the indexation of the Alberta Child and Family Benefit.