Alberta Critical Worker Benefit

The Critical Worker Benefit provides a one-time payment of $1,200 to eligible Albertans in recognition of their hard work to provide Albertans with the care and critical services they need.

To be eligible for the benefit, private sector workers must:

• have worked a minimum of 300 hours during the period of October 12, 2020, to January 31, 2021

• be making $25 per hour or less

• be located and working in Alberta

• have not yet received the Critical Worker Benefit

Workers in the following private sector occupations are eligible to receive the Critical Worker Benefit:

• truck transportation, primarily engaged in the transportation of goods, in the following occupations:

  • ­transport truck drivers

  • ­light duty cleaners

  • ­janitors, caretakers and building superintendents

  • ­security guards and related security services

  • ­material handlers

  • ­delivery and courier services drivers

  • ­other trades helpers and labourers

• crop production, animal production or aquaculture directly involved in the production of food for human consumption

• funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoria

  • not eligible: municipally-run funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoria

• security guards

  • not eligible: private investigators, armoured car guard, house detective, personal bodyguards and security

• light duty cleaners, janitors and specialized cleaners working in commercial, institution and industrial locations

  • not eligible: private residence cleaners

• taxi and limousine drivers

  • not eligible: chauffers and drivers of ride-share companies such as Uber and Lyft

• workers in full-service restaurants and limited services eating places – workers must be primarily involved in the preparation, cooking or service delivery in an eligible establishment

  • not eligible: drinking places that do not serve food onsite

Read the application guidelines for the private sector for more information.