When newly arrived families come to Edmonton, Alberta, they are often faced with questions about how to support themselves during their first month, where to find affordable housing, how to pay for health care, and how to find work. Canada, and Alberta and Edmonton in particular, understand the importance of integrating newcomers and have developed a system of social assistance programs specifically designed for people who have just arrived. Unlike many other countries around the world, most of these programs are completely free. In this article, we detail all the main assistance programs and provide practical information on how to access them.
Settlement services: a key support for newcomers
When you first arrive in Edmonton as a permanent resident or refugee, the first place you should go is settlement services. These services are provided by the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA), Edmonton libraries, and the Newcomer Centre, and they are completely free.
Settlement services begin with an assessment of your needs. Qualified professionals work with you to understand the specific issues you are facing, whether it is finding housing, finding work, understanding the Canadian education system, or accessing health care services. Based on this assessment, an individual settlement plan is developed for you, outlining the specific steps you need to take.
In addition, all basic settlement services include information sessions and seminars on a wide variety of topics. For example, you can get information on how the Canadian social welfare system works, how to understand taxation, how to buy a house or get a mortgage. You can learn about the education system in Canada, how to enroll in school or college, the characteristics of the Canadian labor market, and how to write a resume in the Canadian style.
Settlement services also provide translation and interpretation services. If you do not speak English, or if you need help communicating with your landlord or building representative, settlement services can arrange for an interpreter. All of these services are completely free and are available at many locations throughout the city, including community schools, libraries, and office centers.
One of the most valuable services provided by settlement services is the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program. If you have children in school, EISA places specialists in these schools to help your children and the whole family integrate into the school. These specialists help register children in school, explain how the Canadian education system works, help resolve conflicts between parents and teachers, and provide recommendations on how to most effectively integrate into the Canadian educational environment. This is very important for children because it helps them adapt more quickly and spend less time struggling with language barriers.
Free language training and skills development programs
One of the biggest obstacles for newcomers is the language barrier. Even if a person speaks some English, it is often not enough to get a job or fully integrate into society. That is why the Alberta government offers a comprehensive free English language training program called Language Instruction for Newcomers in Canada (LINC).
LINC is a federal program that provides free English lessons for newcomers. Classes are held at educational institutions throughout Edmonton, and people can participate depending on availability. A great aspect of this program is that if you have children under the age of five, the Alberta government offers a completely free childcare system during classes. This means that mothers or fathers can sit in class and learn English while their young children are looked after in a licensed daycare center right next to the educational institution. This program is called Community-Based Care for Newcomer Children (CBCNC), and it allows parents to focus entirely on their studies without worrying about arranging childcare.
In addition to LINC, there are also language assessments and counseling services. If you are unsure of your English language level and what you need to achieve the level required for your job, you can take a language assessment at the Language Assessment, Referral and Counselling Centre (LARCC). Specialists at this centre will assess your language skills and then advise you on which training programs can help you achieve your goals.
Skill development is not limited to language. Newcomers also have access to professional skills development programs, such as the Newcomers Essential Skills Training (NEST) Program and the Culinary Skills Training Program. These programs are designed to help people who have certain skills but need to adapt those skills to the Canadian labor market. For example, if a person was a chef in their home country, the Culinary Skills Training Program will help them understand the different standards and cooking methods in Canada.
Housing: rental assistance programs
One of the biggest challenges for newly arrived families is finding affordable housing. Rent prices in Edmonton can be very high, and someone who has just arrived and has not yet started working may not be able to afford the first month's rent and deposit. The Alberta government understands this problem and has developed two main programs to help with rent.
The first program is the Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB), which is designed for people with consistently low incomes. RAB is a long-standing program based on the idea that rent should not be an unaffordable burden. The program is calculated so that a person pays approximately 30 percent of their income for rent, and the government covers the rest. For example, if a person earns $800 per month and their rent is $1,200, RAB covers about $360, so that the person pays exactly 30 percent of their income for housing.
The maximum amount of RAB assistance is $800 per month, although most people receive less. To be eligible for RAB, you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, independent immigrant, or government-sponsored immigrant, and you must have less than $25,000 in assets (cash, securities, even a car). Your household income must also be below provincial limits.
To apply for RAB, you must complete an application through the Civida Benefit Portal or in person at a Civida office. You must provide a copy of your lease, proof of income (pay stubs or a letter from your employer), a list of all your assets, and a copy of your ID. Civida usually reviews applications and notifies applicants of the result within a few weeks.
The second program is the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB), which is intended for people who have been working or employed for the past 24 months. TRAB is a short-term benefit designed for people who are working but do not earn enough to pay their rent. Uniquely, you cannot receive TRAB if you receive any other government assistance, such as Income Support, AISH, or Alberta Seniors Benefit. TRAB provides monthly assistance, which typically ranges from $200 to $600 per month in the first year and decreases in the second year.
There are a limited number of spots in the TRAB program, so applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. TRAB is limited to two years, with a reassessment after the first year. If you need further assistance after two years, you can reapply.
In addition to government programs, there is also a charitable organization called Homeward Trust that specializes in helping people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. If you are a newcomer and do not have a rental history in Canada, it can be difficult to find a landlord willing to rent to you. Homeward Trust can help overcome these barriers by working directly with landlords. They can help with the deposit, the first month's rent, and even furnishing the apartment in some cases.
Health care: getting health insurance
When people come to Canada, one of their first needs is health insurance. Alberta has a provincial health care plan called the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), which is free for those who are eligible residents.
If you are a new permanent resident, you can register for AHCIP upon arrival. If you are arriving from outside Canada, you may be eligible for coverage from the date of your arrival if you apply within three months. If you are moving from another Canadian province, coverage begins on the first day of the third month after your arrival.
Registering for AHCIP requires three basic things: proof of your location in Alberta (utility bill, lease agreement), proof of your identity (passport), and proof that you have the right to stay in Canada (your immigration document).
However, before you register for AHCIP, you still need health insurance for emergency medical care. For this, refugees and some other categories of newcomers are covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). IFHP is a federal program that provides temporary health insurance to refugees and other vulnerable groups.
IFHP covers health care services, including doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs (listed on the Alberta Drug Benefit List), dental services (limited), and eye care services (limited). For resettled refugees, IFHP continues until they receive provincial health insurance. For refugee claimants, IFHP continues until they receive a positive decision on their claim or are transferred to provincial insurance.
If you need medical care while IFHP is in effect, you must find a doctor or other health care professional who is registered as an IFHP provider. They can then submit a claim to Medavie Blue Cross for the care they provided.
Financial assistance: income support and assistance for children
If you are a government-sponsored refugee, you will receive financial assistance during your first year in Canada. This assistance, called the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), is intended to cover basic expenses such as food, housing, clothing, and communication.
RAP payments vary depending on the size of your family. For 2019 (the most recent figures available), a single person received $679 per month, with each additional family member adding between $30 and $100 depending on the size of the family. In addition, if your housing costs more than the basic assistance you receive, you may be eligible for an additional housing supplement of up to $200-$300 per month if you provide written proof of your housing costs.
For those who are not refugees but need financial assistance, there is a program called Income Support (Alberta Works). To be eligible for Income Support, you must be located in Alberta, be at least 18 years of age, and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or refugee claimant.
One of the most important programs for families with children is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment from the Canadian government for families with children under 18. The amount of money depends on the family's income and the number of children. In 2024, a family can receive up to $619.75 per month for each child under 6 years of age and up to $522.91 for each child between 6 and 17 years of age.
Newly arrived permanent residents are eligible for the CCB immediately upon arrival. However, if you are a temporary resident (with a work or study permit), you must live in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months and have a valid permit in the 19th month. To receive CCB, you must submit a special application called Form RC66 plus Form RC66SCH (for newcomers).
Statistically, about 79-85% of newly arrived couples receive the CCB in the first year after arrival. However, among couples where at least one person has a history of earnings in Canada (as indicated by a T4 employment record or T1 tax return), this figure is 93-95%. This highlights the importance of finding work as soon as possible, as it significantly increases your chances of receiving this financial assistance for your family.
Services for refugees and asylum seekers
If you have been granted refugee status in Canada or have applied as an asylum seeker, you are eligible for additional assistance. For government-assisted refugees, this includes not only financial support, but also access to counseling, cultural orientation, information, and warning services.
Some refugees are privately sponsored, meaning that private groups or individuals in Canada have committed to supporting the refugee financially. In such cases, compensation is distributed directly to the sponsors, but the asylum seeker is still provided with language, employment, and settlement services.
Other options for assistance
If you are a person with a disability, you have access to special programs. The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a special savings plan for people with significant and long-term disabilities who have received the Disability Tax Credit. This plan entitles you to grants and bonds from the Canadian government. In addition, there is a provincial program called Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) for people who are unable to work due to a disability.
If you have children, you may also be eligible for educational support. Most educational institutions and colleges offer special programs for newcomers, including Bridging Programs for professionals who need retraining to work in Canada.
How to access these services
The first step in accessing most of these services is to contact the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA). You can call them at 780-474-8445 or visit one of their locations in public schools or libraries. EISA will help you assess your needs, develop a settlement plan, and advise you on which specific programs you can apply to.To apply for rental assistance, you can always use the Civida Benefit Portal (civida-portal.albertaservices.ca) or visit the Civida office in person. For AHCIP, you can register through Alberta Health Services or download the form from the website.For the Canada Child Benefit, you can apply through the Automated Benefits Application on the Canada Revenue Agency website, or send Form RC66 by mail.## Important points for newcomersOne of the most important things to remember is that most of these services are completely free. No one will ask you to pay for language training, settlement assessments, or consultations. This is an investment by the Canadian government in the integration of newcomers.The second important point is that you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to access many programs. You can obtain a SIN shortly after arriving in Canada through Service Canada.The third point is that you must file a tax return even if you do not earn any income. This is important for receiving CCB and other benefits.Finally, it is important to understand that the application process often takes time. Applications can take several weeks to process, so it is best to submit them as soon as possible after arrival to avoid delays in receiving assistance.## Conclusion: you don't have to do it aloneArriving in a new country is a huge feeling, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the systems and requirements. However, Edmonton and Alberta have developed a comprehensive system of social assistance programs specifically designed for newcomers. From free language training to help with finding housing and financial support, there is a program for almost every need.The key to success is to seek help as soon as possible. By contacting EISA or the Newcomer Centre upon arrival, you can receive personalized assistance in identifying the programs for which you are eligible and in submitting all the necessary applications. Thousands of newcomers have successfully integrated into Edmonton using these services, and you can be next. Don't give up—there are comprehensive services available to help you build your new life in Canada.