You can apply for child care subsidy if:
- you or your spouse/partner, or the child receiving care, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, temporary residents with a work permit, refugee claimants or protected person claimants (individuals unable to return to their countries of origin because they fear persecution)
- you or your spouse or partner are an Alberta resident
- you and your spouse or partner:
- are working, or looking for work
- are attending school
- have special needs, or your child has a special need
- your children are 12 years old or younger and are not yet attending Grade 7
- your children have a secured spot in a licensed facility-based program with preschool, daycare or out-of-school care programming, or a family day home program that is overseen by a licensed agency
The amount of subsidy you receive and which program you qualify for will depend on the age of your child, type of child care program and your household income. You are eligible if:
- Your total family income is less than $180,000 per year for children 0 to kindergarten age (for those children who are in kindergarten and also attending child care during regular school hours).
- You will also benefit from reduced fees through an affordability grant provided directly to child care operators. The combined benefits of affordability grants and subsidies should be considered when estimating your new costs. Learn more about the new federal-provincial child care agreement.
- Your total family income is less than $90,000 per year for children in kindergarten to Grade 6 enrolled in a licensed program outside of regular school hours.
Income eligibility is determined by the combined amount of your and your spouse or partner’s income from your most recent Notice of Assessment, issued by CRA:
- Income is based on Line 15000 (gross income) of your tax return less amounts reported on Line 32000 (education related tax deductions), and Lines 33099 and 33199 (medical related tax deductions).
- In the event of a recent loss of income, or if you and your spouse or partner were not required to file a Canadian tax return, you can contact us to request an evaluation of income and education estimates.