Closed
Last Update: May 11, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,200
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
This program provides a one-time payment of $1,200 for eligible workers in approved Alberta sectors. It supports employers in private sector health, care, and essential service settings for eligible work performed during the defined period.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,200 $
- Minimum amount : 1,200 $
- Up to 7% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Health care and social assistance
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Payment of a one-time critical worker benefit to eligible employees
- Administration of employer-led payments to workers through payroll systems
Documents Needed
- Application form with eligibility declaration
- Banking information for direct deposit
- Alberta Corporate Access Number and legal business details
- Worker pay stubs or payroll records
- Worker information such as name, birth date, SIN, wage, start date, and hours paid
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Private sector employers in Alberta
- Private for-profit and not-for-profit health care settings
- Private health clinics, including physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners
- Selected essential-service sectors in the private sector
Who is not eligible
- Federal, provincial, or municipal governments
- Political parties
- Crown agencies, boards, commissions, or corporations
- Non-profit organizations in the private sector phase two
- Businesses related to cannabis
Eligible expenses
- One-time payment to eligible workers
- Additional employer funding to cover payroll-related costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Regular paid wages
- Employer top-up pay or other COVID-19 related worker payments
- Payments to ineligible workers
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed against the program’s eligibility criteria
- Applications are audited for accuracy and program integrity
- Applicants are notified of approval through the online portal
- A signed grant agreement is required before funding is in force
- Approved employers must confirm workers received the benefit
Additional information
- Phase one of the program is closed.
- Applications are reviewed in order of completion.
- Funding is limited and applications may not be approved if funds are exhausted.
- Approved employers may be publicly listed online.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Critical Worker Benefit Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Critical Worker Benefit. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Critical Worker Benefit?
This program provides a one-time payment of $1,200 for eligible workers in approved Alberta sectors. It supports employers in private sector health, care, and essential service settings for eligible work performed during the defined period.
How much funding can be received?
Critical Worker Benefit Funds up to 7% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,200 per project.
Who is eligible for the Critical Worker Benefit program?
To be eligible for the Critical Worker Benefit program, you must:
Employer must operate in Alberta
Worker must meet paid-hours requirement
Worker must be in an eligible sector or role
What expenses are eligible under Critical Worker Benefit?
Payment of a one-time critical worker benefit to eligible employees
Administration of employer-led payments to workers through payroll systems
Who can I contact for more information about the Critical Worker Benefit?
You can contact Government of Alberta by email at cwb@gov.ab.ca or by phone at +1(833) 611-1140.
Where is the Critical Worker Benefit available?
The Critical Worker Benefit program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Critical Worker Benefit a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Critical Worker Benefit is a Grant and Funding