Financial Support

Escaping Abuse Benefit

The Alberta government provides emergency funding to help you escape family violence or domestic violence and to support you with expenses. You can use it to pay for the support you need to get to safety or start a new life. This could include emergency transportation, short-term accommodation, emergency personal items, and more.

You can apply if all the following are true:

• you are living in an abusive family situation or have already left

• you do not have enough money to leave an abusive family situation or start over

• you do not qualify for other ongoing Alberta benefits

• you are at least 18 years old

• you live in Alberta

• you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, refugee, or refugee claimant

This benefit is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To apply, call Alberta Supports: 1-877-644-9992 (7:30am to 8pm on weekdays), 1-866-644-5135 (weekends, holidays and after hours), or visit the website. 
 

Victims of Crime Assistance Program

This program supports victims of crimes that are reported to police. You can apply for assistance, supports and services to help with emergency expenses and your recovery.

The program can help with emergency safety and security losses, and damages, reimbursement for expenses related to attending court for specific events, such as sentencing or providing a victim impact statement, and immediate access to short-term supports, such as counselling.  You do not have to wait for a charge or conviction to apply, but the incidence must first be reported to a police agency.

You can apply for emergency assistance if:

• you were the victim of a serious Criminal Code offence

• the crime happened in Alberta (you do not need to live in Alberta)

• you reported the crime to police within a reasonable period of time

• your application is received within 2 years of the date of the crime (this may be extended in special circumstances)​

Apply through your local victims services unit, or online through the website. ​

​​​

Criminal Restitution

If you experienced domestic violence and pressed criminal charges, you may be able to ask for restitution for expenses directly related to the crime.

Restitution is a court order that makes the person who caused harm pay expenses such as those related to bodily harm, lost wages, counselling services, moving expenses, etc. 

You can apply if:

• your spouse or partner is convicted of the charges

• your spouse or partner pleads guilty, or if a judge or jury convicts them

• your spouse or partner has not been sentenced yet

Lean more on the website. 
 

Partner & Spousal Support

Spousal or partner support are payments from one person to the other, usually from the person who makes more money to the person making less. You do not automatically get support; you must prove you should get it. If you are married, you can apply for spousal support. If you are in an adult interdependent relationship, you can apply for partner support. If you and your partner or spouse cannot agree on support, you will have to apply to court for a judge to decide.
 

Child Support

Child support is money paid by one parent or guardian to the other for the child. It is the right of the child, not the parent receiving the money. Child support is usually paid monthly and is calculated using a set formula so it remains the same for married and unmarried parents. If you and your partner or spouse cannot agree on child support, you will have to apply to court for a judge to decide.

Emergency Needs Allowance

If you're facing an unexpected emergency, you can apply for emergency financial assistance through the Emergency Needs Allowance program. The allowance can cover costs such as food, clothing, child care, temporary shelter, transportation and more. 
You can apply if:

• you are a current Income Support client,
  or 

• you are an Albertan earning an income, but you do not have enough money to cover a one time, short-term emergency that will last no longer than a month,
  and

• you meet the Income Support program eligibility requirements 

If you require these emergency benefits, call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992, or 1-866-644-5135 for outside of business hours, or apply on the website. 

​

Employment Options
If you're looking to find employment or develop your skills, there are resources available to help you with your job search and connect you with potential employes. From hosted job fairs and skills workshops such as assisting in writing your resume and preparing for your interview, there are many organizations and societies that will help you transition into a career. 
See the "Additional Contacts" page for resources.