Families applying for the Alberta Child Health Benefit in the 2026–27 benefit year face a new income-review process if their application is denied early in the year.
The Alberta government says eligibility for the benefit year running from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, is initially based on income assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the 2025 tax year.
Applicants whose income has since fallen may be able to request a reassessment using estimated 2026 income, provided they meet the program’s timing and documentation requirements.
Table of Contents
Alberta Child Health Benefit: How the 2026–27 reassessment rule works
The Alberta Child Health Benefit is intended for eligible low-income households with children and can help cover dental care, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, diabetes supplies, emergency ambulance services and certain over-the-counter medications.
The program covers children up to age 18, while children who are 18 or 19 may continue to qualify if they live at home and attend high school.
For the current benefit year, the province first checks the household income used for eligibility against the 2025 income assessed by the CRA.
A family must have applied and received a rejection letter before requesting an income reassessment.
The reassessment option is not an automatic appeal for every rejected application because the province requires evidence that the household’s current or expected income is lower than the income used in the original decision.
Who can use the estimated-income option
Applicants whose Alberta Child Health Benefit applications were rejected between October 1, 2026, and February 28, 2027, may request a review based on estimated 2026 income.
The estimated income must be projected to fall below the program’s income guideline for the applicant’s family size.
This route may be especially relevant for households that experienced a job loss, reduced earnings, a change in employment, or another major income change during 2026.
The province will assess the information supplied by the applicant rather than relying only on the previous year’s CRA-assessed figure.
Documents applicants may need
Applicants must provide income verification covering January 1, 2026, to the date of the reassessment request.
Examples listed by Alberta include a pay stub showing year-to-date earnings, at least three months of pay stubs, an Employment Insurance claim statement, Canada Pension Plan or private-plan benefits information, taxable student funding, cashed-in RRSPs, workers’ compensation benefits and child support payments.
Applicants must also provide evidence supporting their expected income from the date of the request through December 31, 2026.
That evidence could include the remaining weeks of Employment Insurance eligibility, a current pay stub, or a copy of a denied Income Support decision.
The province may require additional information if the documents do not clearly establish the household’s estimated income.
How to request a reassessment
Families using the early-year reassessment process must complete Alberta’s Request for Reassessment of Eligibility for Health Benefits form.
They must also write a cover letter describing their current income situation and explaining why it differs from their 2025 income.
The form, cover letter and supporting documents must then be sent to the Alberta Health Benefits Contact Centre by email, mail or fax.
Applicants should keep copies of everything they submit, including the rejection letter and income records.
A reassessment request cannot be made before the original application has been denied based on 2025 income.
What changes after February 28, 2027
The province uses a different process for applications denied between March 1, 2027, and September 30, 2027.
During that period, applicants may reapply using their 2026 income as submitted to the CRA.
They must complete the regular Alberta Child Health Benefit application and attach a copy of their 2026 CRA Notice of Assessment.
This means the early reassessment option is designed for families who need a review before their 2026 tax information is available through the normal CRA assessment process.
Income limits for Alberta families
The province says total net household income must be below the applicable maximum for the family’s size.
| Family size | Maximum income |
|---|---|
| One adult and one child | $26,023 |
| One adult and two children | $31,010 |
| One adult and three children | $36,325 |
| One adult and four children | $41,957 |
| Couple and one child | $31,237 |
| Couple and two children | $36,634 |
| Couple and three children | $41,594 |
| Couple and four children | $46,932 |
For each additional child beyond the numbers shown, Alberta says applicants should add $4,973 to the applicable limit.
The province calculates income using tax-return information, support payments and annual drug costs under the program’s stated formula.
Coverage available through the program
Approved families receive a health benefits card listing each eligible child’s name and identification number.
The card must be shown to participating doctors, dentists, pharmacists, opticians or ambulance providers when a covered service is used.
Dental coverage can include basic and preventive services such as examinations, x-rays, fillings and teeth cleaning.
The program also lists prescription drugs, children’s eyeglasses, essential diabetes supplies and emergency ambulance trips to the nearest hospital among its covered areas.
Families with another health benefits plan must use that plan first, while the Alberta program may cover remaining eligible costs.
Alberta also says children receiving coverage through the provincial program may be eligible for the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan, with claims submitted to the federal plan first for services covered by both programs.
What families should do now
Families whose applications are rejected should read the rejection letter carefully and confirm whether the decision was based on 2025 income.
Those who qualify for the early reassessment window should collect current income records before submitting the request.
Applicants should not wait until the end of the window if their coverage needs are urgent because the reassessment package requires several forms of supporting evidence.
Families can contact the Alberta Health Benefits Contact Centre at 780-427-6848 or 1-877-469-5437 for questions about the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What income is used for the Alberta Child Health Benefit in 2026–27?
The current benefit year initially uses household income for 2025 as assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Who can request an estimated-income reassessment?
Applicants whose Alberta Child Health Benefit applications were denied between October 1, 2026, and February 28, 2027, may request a review using estimated 2026 income.
What documents are needed for the reassessment?
Applicants need the reassessment form, a cover letter and documents showing income from January 1, 2026, onward, along with evidence supporting expected income through December 31, 2026.
What happens if an application is denied after February 28, 2027?
Applicants denied between March 1 and September 30, 2027, can reapply using their 2026 CRA income and attach their 2026 Notice of Assessment.
What does the Alberta Child Health Benefit cover?
Eligible coverage can include children’s dental care, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, essential diabetes supplies, emergency ambulance services and certain over-the-counter medications.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, eligibility rules, income limits, reassessment procedures and covered services were checked against the Alberta government’s current Alberta Child Health Benefit information.
Disclaimer: Eligibility decisions are made by Alberta’s Health Benefits program, and applicants should confirm their circumstances directly with the province.