More Albertans in social services and the private sector who provided critical services to Albertans will receive a one-time Critical Worker Benefit.
The Critical Worker Benefit is a joint federal-provincial program with $465 million available to recognize the hard work of critical workers during the pandemic.
To be eligible for the benefit, employees must have worked a minimum of 300 hours during the period of Oct. 12, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021.
Support staff working in licensed child care must have worked a minimum of 243 hours during this period.
Eligible social services sector employers do not need to apply.
- Employers of support staff working in licensed child care programs, disability support workers providing independent living supports, respite, community access, and employment supports, and front-line workers in seniors-serving organizations and non-profit affordable housing providers will be contacted by the Government of Alberta to confirm details.
Eligible private sector workers making $25 per hour or less will also qualify for the benefit, including the following who can demonstrate they worked at least 300 hours during the eligibility period:
- truck drivers,
- farmworkers,
- security guards,
- cleaners,
- funeral workers,
- employees at quick service and dine in restaurants
- taxi drivers, etc.
The complete list of eligible workers for this phase of the program are available in the Application Guidelines for the private sector at Critical Worker Benefit | Alberta.ca.
Private sector employers can apply on behalf of employees at Critical Worker Benefit | Alberta.ca as of June 22. Employers have until July 23 to apply.
Employers will be responsible for distributing the $1,200 Critical Worker Benefit to their eligible employees.
