Financial assistance may be available if you're experiencing financial difficulty. Below is a list of agencies who can help.
Alberta Seniors - Special Needs Assistance Program
1-877-644-9992 or (780) 644-9992 in Edmonton
- Utility arrears coverage available for each utility (water, electricity and gas) once every three years.
- Applicant must be a utility account owner and have a disconnection notice in their name from the utility company.
Alberta Seniors and Housing - Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement Program
Phone: 780-422-0122 Edmonton; 403-297-7453 Calgary; Toll-Free Alberta 310-0000
- A subsidy paid directly to an eligible tenant to assist with their rental cost.
- Applicant must meet the 2014 Core Need Income Thresholds and citizenship requirements.
- Priority for assistance will be based on assisting those in greatest need first.
Alberta Works or Alberta Supports
Phone: 1-877-644-9992
- Emergency needs allowance.
- One-time utility assistance with disconnection notice (may assist second time but requires repayment).
- Deposits/reconnection fees are assessed separately.
- View a list of Alberta Supports offices in Alberta.
Aspen Family and Community Network - Calgary
Phone: 403-219-3477
- Home Stay Prevention Program for families housed, but at imminent risk of homelessness as a result of pending eviction due to rental and/or utility arrears.
- Families are required to complete a screening process and meet specific program criteria.
Bissell Centre - Community Bridge Program
Edmonton
- The Community Bridge Program provides individuals who have received a disconnection notice, access to funds to pay overdue utility bills, support to negotiate with their landlord/utility company and assistance to find and apply for any benefits or grants they may be eligible for.
- Applies to Edmonton residents only.
- Online application is required.
Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund - Financial Distress Program
Phone: 1-888-753-9828
- Provides assistance through grants and loans to serving and former Canadian Forces personnel when warranted by distress or other qualifying circumstances.
Care Connect Christian Society - Calgary
Phone: (403) 264-2636
- Provides undesignated temporary financial assistance.
Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS) - Calgary
Phone: 403-717-0922
- Assists with utilities payments.
- A disconnection notice, 90 days worth of bank statements, two pieces of ID, and a proof of income required.
Canadian Red Cross - Community Housing Support Program
Phone: (403) 541-6119
- Available in Calgary only.
- One-time partial financial assistance to low income individuals or families facing utility disconnection due to unforeseen circumstances.
- A disconnection notice, 90 days worth of bank statements, two pieces of ID, and a proof of income required.
Community Warmth Program - Medicine Hat
Phone: 403-529-8111
- Low income individuals, families, and seniors who are unable to pay for their City of Medicine Hat utility bill due to financial hardship or crisis may receive support from the program once a year.
CTV Good Neighbour Fund
Phone: 780-486-9215
- Provides limited financial resources to individuals not covered by other assistance in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.
- Applicant must provide utility bills or disconnection notice.
- One-time application; deadline is the last day of each month.
- Download the application form online.
Veterans Affairs - Canada
Phone: 1-866-522-2122
- Benevolent fund for emergency financial assistance for active and retired veterans.
- Application forms are on website.
211 Alberta - Edmonton, Calgary and Wood Buffalo
Phone: 211
- Community support information line. Contact to find what emergency grants are available in your region.
