The ACFB was introduced in July 2020, consolidating the Alberta Child Benefit and the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit into a single program. The ACFB aims to improve the quality of life for children and support their well-being. (See similar programs in other provinces and territories.)
The ACFB is indexed to inflation, so the amounts increase every year. The ACFB benefit period runs from July of one year to June of the following year.
What are the Alberta child benefit payment dates for 2026?
The CRA issues ACFB payments quarterly, by direct deposit or cheque. The payment dates this year are:
February 27, 2026
May 27, 2026
August 27, 2026
November 27, 2026
You can also check CRA’s My Account for personalized benefit payment dates.
Who is eligible to receive the ACFB?
To qualify for the ACFB, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Be a parent of one or more children under 18
Be a resident of Alberta
File a tax return
Meet the income criteria
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Do I have to apply for the ACFB?
No, you do not need to apply for the ACFB. According to the Alberta government, “You are automatically considered for the ACFB when you file your annual tax return and qualify for the federal government’s Canada Child Benefit.” (Learn more about the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), including eligibility requirements and payment dates.)
The CRA will regularly reassess your family’s eligibility for the ACFB (for example, if you have another child, your benefit amount could increase). If you and your family have just moved to Alberta, you’ll be eligible for the ACFB the month after you become a resident.
How much is the Alberta child benefit?
Your adjusted family net income (from your previous year’s tax return) and the number of kids in your family determine your total benefit amount per year. The ACFB includes a base component and a working component.
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Base component of the ACFB
The ACFB’s base component is available to lower-income families with children. You do not have to earn any income to receive the base component. Depending on the number of children in your family, you may be entitled to the following amounts as your base component for the period from July 2025 to June 2026:
$1,499 for the first child
$749 for the second child
$749 for the third child
$749 for the fourth child (and each additional
If your adjusted family net income exceeded $27,565 in 2025, this base component is reduced.
Working component of the ACFB
In addition to the base component, families with adjusted net income exceeding $2,760 are eligible for the working component. The benefit amount for the working component increases by 15% for every additional dollar of income (up to the maximum benefit), encouraging families to join or stay in the workforce. You may be entitled to these amounts for the period from July 2025 to June 2026:
$767 ($63.91 per month) for the first child
$698 ($58.16 per month) for the second child
$418 ($34.83 per month) for the third child
$138 ($11.50 per month) for the fourth child
Once the adjusted family net income exceeds $46,191, the working component of the benefit is also reduced.
You can also use the Government of Canada’s child and family benefits calculator to get an estimate of the annual federal and provincial or territorial benefits you might be entitled to.
What counts as adjusted family net income?
Adjusted family net income is the amount the CRA uses to calculate your ACFB entitlement and determine when benefits begin to phase out. It’s based on line 23600 (net income) of your tax return.
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, the CRA adds both partners’ net incomes together to determine your family’s adjusted net income. This combined amount is then used to calculate your ACFB payment amount and assess whether reductions apply.
Adjusted family net income is reassessed every year after you file your tax return.
