Emergency Financial Assistance in Alberta What You Need to Know

Unexpected emergencies can create serious financial stress, especially when you don’t have enough income to cover urgent needs. In Alberta, the government offers a program called the Emergency Needs Allowance to help people facing such situations. This program provides short-term, one-time financial support to cover essential expenses during emergencies that cannot wait until the next paycheque or benefit payment.

What Is the Emergency Needs Allowance?

The Emergency Needs Allowance is part of Alberta’s Income Support program. It offers financial help for urgent needs like food, transportation, temporary shelter, medication, and medical supplies. This assistance is designed for people who face emergencies beyond their control and that pose a serious health risk or hardship.

The program is not meant for ongoing support but for short-term emergencies lasting no longer than one month. It helps bridge the gap when other resources are unavailable or insufficient.

Who Can Apply for Assistance?

Eligibility for the Emergency Needs Allowance includes:

• Current recipients of Income Support or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)

• Albertans who are working but do not have enough income to cover a sudden emergency

• Applicants must meet Income Support eligibility rules

  
  

This means that even if you have a job, you may qualify if your income is too low to handle an unexpected crisis. The program focuses on individual circumstances and the urgency of the situation.

How to Apply for Emergency Financial Assistance

Applications are mainly handled by phone through the Income Support Contact Centre or Alberta Supports. Some benefits allow you to start the application online with a pre-application form, but a phone assessment will follow.

The program operates 24 hours a day, so you can reach out anytime if you face an emergency. When you call, be ready to explain your situation clearly and provide any necessary documentation to prove your need.

Examples of Emergencies Covered

Here are some examples of emergencies that may qualify for assistance:

• Running out of food and having no other way to get groceries

• Needing urgent transportation to a medical appointment or shelter

• Facing temporary homelessness and requiring shelter costs

• Requiring medication or medical supplies that you cannot afford

  
  

Each case is assessed individually, so the support you receive depends on your specific needs and urgency.

What to Expect After Applying

Once you apply, your eligibility will be reviewed based on your situation. If approved, you will receive a one-time payment to cover your emergency needs. This payment is meant to help you get through the crisis until you can access regular income or other resources.

If your application is denied, you can ask for more information or explore other support programs available in Alberta.

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Source: https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-financial-assistance