Alberta Child Health Benefit
Your kids deserve good health.
Get free eyeglasses, prescriptions and dental visits for your children through the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan. It helps pay health care bills for families with limited incomes. Knowing your children’s health is cared for will bring peace of mind.
Signing up is easy. Fill out one form and mail it in. See below for more information or contact us.
What is the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan?
What services are paid for by the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan?
Who qualifies for the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan?
How long does the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan pay for services?
What if my children have health care coverage through another plan?
Who is not eligible for the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan?
What Is The Alberta Child Health Benefit Plan?
The Alberta Child Health Benefit plan pays for health services, such as eyeglasses, prescription drugs and dental care, that are not available through standard Alberta Health Care Insurance. The health plan is for children up to age 19 who live at home and are attending school up to grade 12. There are no fees to sign up.
The Alberta Child Health Benefit plan is for families with limited incomes. By signing up, parents can have peace of mind their children’s health will be cared for without worrying about the cost.
What Services Are Paid For By The Alberta Child Health Benefit Plan?
The Alberta Child Health Benefit plan pays for:
Dental Care
Dental exams
- Teeth cleaning
- X-rays
- Fillings and extractions
Eyewear
- A new pair of glasses or one repair each year
Prescription Drugs
- Many, but not all, prescription drugs are paid for by this health plan. Some over-the-counter products, such as children’s vitamins are also covered. Your family doctor has a list of what is free under this health plan.
Ambulance Services
- Emergency ambulance trips to the nearest hospital
Diabetic Supplies
- Diabetic supplies such as injection supplies, testing strips, lancets and penlets
If your child needs a service that is not on this list, you may still have to pay some of the expense. Talk to your doctor, dentist, optician or pharmacist if you are unsure whether a service is paid for by this health plan.
Who Qualifies For The Alberta Child Health Benefit Plan?
Families qualify by income
If your family makes $24,397 or less per year, your child can be signed up. If you have more children, your income can be higher. Look at the table below:
| Maximum Income | Number of Children |
| $24,397 | 1 |
| $26,397 | 2 |
| $28,397 | 3 |
| $30,397 | 4 |
| Keep adding $2,000 for each child | More than 4 |
How do I figure out my income?
You can calculate your income by looking at your last income tax return.
- Look at Line 236 to find out your basic income.
- Add any child support you receive, which is on Line 156.
- Subtract the amount you were taxed, which is on Line 128.
The amount left is your income. If you have trouble calculating your income, call us.
Exceptions
Sometimes your child can be signed up even if your income is higher than the amounts in the table above. If your income has dropped a lot in the last year or your children have high health costs, exceptions can be made. Call us to talk about your options.
Families qualify if they live in Alberta
It does not matter what your immigrant or citizenship status is, as long as your children have permanent resident status.
How Long Does The Alberta Child Health Benefit Plan Pay For Services?
You can keep getting services paid for as long as your income does not go too high. Every August, the Alberta government will check to confirm that your income is similar to the year before. If it is, your child will be automatically enrolled each year until he or she turns 20. Children over 18 must be still living at home and attending school up to grade 12.
What If My Children Have Health Care Coverage Through Another Plan?
If your children get services through another health plan, you must use that plan first. The Alberta Child Health Benefit plan can cover your remaining costs. Talk to your doctor, dentist, optician or pharmacist about how this works.
Who Is Not Eligible For The Alberta Child Health Benefit Plan?
Some families in Alberta already have health services paid for through other government programs. This means they do not need the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan. These government programs include:
- Alberta Works
- Income Support
- Alberta Adult Health Benefit
- Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
- Alberta Child Financial Support Program
- Canadian government programs for people with Indian or Inuit status
How Do I Sign Up?
Signing up is easy. Just fill out one form and mail it in.
- Fill out the application form. Be sure to sign and date the sections marked My Declaration and Consent for Canada Revenue Agency.
The declaration section is important. By signing it, you are saying you understand everything in your application. The consent section is important because you are giving the Alberta government permission to get your tax information to register your children. Your information will not be shared anywhere else for any other reason.
- Mail your application form. A postage-paid envelope is usually provided. If you do not have this envelope, then send your form to:
Alberta Human Resources and Employment
Alberta Child Health Benefit
P.O. Box 2222 Station Main
Edmonton, AB T5J 5H3
The Alberta Child Health Benefit Card
If your application is accepted, you will be sent a card in the mail. The card will list each child’s name and identification number. You need to show this card to your child’s doctor, dentist, pharmacist, optician or ambulance attendant each time you receive a service that is paid for by the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan.
Modified: 2006-10-16
Reviewed: 2006-06-30
