Raising children comes with increasing financial pressure, especially in today’s economy where the cost of essentials like food, clothing, housing, and childcare continues to climb.
To support low- and modest-income families, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) provides direct, tax-free financial assistance.
In 2025, eligible families can receive $124 + $64 per child through two key components: the Base Component and the Working Component. Paid out quarterly, this benefit ensures that Alberta families have extra help to manage the costs of raising children under 18.
What Is the $124 + $64 ACFB Payment?
The ACFB is a tax-free benefit delivered quarterly by the CRA on Alberta’s behalf to families with children under 18. It has two parts:
- Base Component (Approx. $124/month per child): Available to all eligible families, regardless of employment.
- Working Component (Approx. $64/month per child): A bonus for families with employment income meeting a minimum threshold.
Together, these add significant relief for raising children in Alberta.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for ACFB 2025, you must:
- Be an Alberta resident for tax purposes.
- Have one or more dependent children under 18.
- File an annual tax return, even if no income.
- Meet family net income thresholds:
- Full base eligibility: net income below roughly $27,000.
- Working component eligibility: net income up to about $43,000.
Families who earn less automatically get the base component; those with employment income also qualify for the working component.
2025 ACFB Payment Schedule & Amounts
Quarter | Payment Date 2025 | Amount (Per Child) |
---|---|---|
Q1 (Jan–Mar) | February 27 | ~$372 base + ~$192 working = ~$564 |
Q2 (Apr–Jun) | May 27 | Same as Q1 |
Q3 (Jul–Sep) | August 27 | Same as Q1 |
Q4 (Oct–Dec) | November 27 | Same as Q1 |
Note: Payments are consolidated for three months per quarter. Families with fully eligible base and working components receive over $760 per child per quarter.
Annual Maximum by Number of Children
# of Children | Annual Base | Annual Working | Total Annual Benefit |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ~$1,469 | ~$752 | ~$2,221 |
2 | ~$2,204 | ~$1,437 | ~$3,641 |
3 | ~$2,939 | ~$1,847 | ~$4,786 |
4+ | ~$3,674 | ~$1,982 | ~$5,656 |
Remember: Actual amounts depend on adjusted family net income and eligibility for both components.
Why This Matters
In 2025’s economic climate, these payments support families with:
- Groceries, clothing, and childcare.
- Utility costs, school supplies, and transportation.
- Financial stability when wages fluctuate or unexpected costs arise.
Missing out on these funds can make daily necessities much harder to manage.
The $124 + $64 ACFB payments in 2025 continue to be a vital financial help for Alberta families, offering meaningful support that adds up—over $2,200 annually per child for fully eligible households.
With no application required, as long as your taxes are filed and CRA records are current, your payments will arrive automatically on the listed dates.
For many, this benefit makes a tangible difference in covering essentials and helping build a more secure family budget.
FAQs
No. ACFB is automatically assessed when you file your annual tax return and are eligible for the federal Canada Child Benefit.
Payments are scheduled on: February 27, May 27, August 27, and November 27—via direct deposit or cheque.
Yes. Families receive the Base Component even without income. To get the Working Component, much have sufficient employment income to meet the threshold.