Income Support - Shelter Assistance
Income Support gives you money each month for basic costs like rent if you live in Alberta and do not have enough to cover your needs. Part of the money is a shelter amount that helps pay for housing. How much you get depends on your household size and living situation. The exact rates are in the Income and Employment Supports policy manual, so check there for current figures.
What you get
Monthly money for rent and basics
Who it's for
You qualify if you live in Alberta and do not have enough money for basics like food, clothing, and a place to live.
This takes you to the official website
What to have ready
Documents they may ask for
- Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
- A copy of your lease or rent agreement
- Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
- Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
- ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
- Recent bank statement, if the program asks for it
What to say when you call
“Hi, I found your housing support program and I want to check if I can apply. Can you tell me the current rules, documents needed, and the next step?”
Use the official page first, then call 211 if you are not sure where to start.
Can I get this?
You have a good chance if this sounds like you:
- You qualify if you live in Alberta and do not have enough money for basics like food, clothing, and a place to live
- This includes people who work but do not earn enough, and people who cannot work right now
What to do next
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The fine print
More details about the money
Income Support pays money for basic needs including shelter; the shelter amount depends on household size/composition and living arrangement. Exact monthly shelter rate tables are published in the Income and Employment Supports policy manual; confirm current rates there before publishing any dollar figure.
Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.
The full eligibility rules
Albertans with low or no income who do not have enough resources to meet their basic needs (food, clothing and shelter) and meet Income Support eligibility (income, assets, and need-based criteria). Covers people who are working but not earning enough, as well as those expected to work or with barriers to work.
Good to know
alberta.ca/income-support (live, June 2026) confirms Income Support provides for 'food, clothing and shelter' and lists the 1-877-644-9992 / emergency 1-866-644-5135 / emergencybenefits.alberta.ca contacts. NOTE: the official landing page does NOT use the term 'core shelter allowance' and no shelter rate table surfaced during research - renamed to 'Shelter Assistance' and confidence kept at medium for that reason. Exact monthly shelter dollar amounts live in the Income and Employment Supports policy manual (manuals.alberta.ca); verify there before publishing dollar figures. Non-official humanservices.alberta.ca and a stray policy URL were removed from sources.
Official sources we checked
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