Are newly arrived immigrants eligible for benefits?

New immigrants to Calgary have access to a wide range of benefits and social programs depending on their immigration status. The support system for newcomers in Calgary is multi-layered and includes federal, provincial, and municipal programs, each with its own eligibility criteria. This article provides a detailed overview of all the benefits available to different categories of new immigrants.

Who is considered a newcomer to Canada

According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), a newcomer is a person during their first year in Canada as a resident for tax purposes. Newcomers include:

  • Permanent residents — individuals who have been granted permanent resident status or approval “in principle” by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • Temporary residents — including workers with work permits, students with study permits, and individuals with temporary residence permits
  • Refugees and protected persons — including government and privately sponsored refugees

Your immigration status is critical in determining what benefits you are eligible for in Calgary and Alberta.

Federal benefits for newcomers

For all categories of newcomers

GST/HST Credit

  • Quarterly tax-free payment.
  • For individuals and families with low to moderate incomes.
  • Eligibility criteria:
  • Age 19 or older
  • Resident of Canada for tax purposes
  • Low or moderate income

How to apply: Complete Form RC151 (GST/HST Credit and Canada Carbon Rebate Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada) or apply online through the CRA website.

Canada Carbon Rebate

  • Quarterly tax-free payment.
  • To offset the cost of carbon pricing.

Features:

  • Available in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.
  • Newcomers can apply for retroactive payments.

For permanent residents and some temporary residents

Canada Child Benefit

  • One of the largest federal family support programs.
  • Payments for 2024–2025: up to $7,787/year for children under 6; up to $6,570/year for children 6–17.

Eligibility criteria:

  • You are caring for a child who lives with you and is under 18.
  • You or your spouse/partner is a citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or temporary resident who has been in Canada for at least 18 months.

Special feature for temporary residents: You must have lived in Canada for at least 18 months.

Statistics: 79–85% of new permanent residents receive CCB within a year of arrival.

Alberta provincial benefits

Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)

  • Alberta has no waiting period for permanent residents (coverage is effective upon arrival).
  • For temporary residents:
  • Must settle in Alberta for at least 12 months.
  • Confirm status (work permit, study permit, accompanying letter, or refugee document).

Income Support

Eligibility criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or refugee claimant
  • Be unable to pay for basic needs
  • Be willing to apply for other programs

Contacts:

  • Alberta Supports Contact Centre: 1-877-644-9992
  • 24-hour support center: 1-866-644-5135

Calgary municipal benefits

Fair Entry Program

Centralized application for subsidized city programs:

  • Transportation benefits:
  • Calgary Transit Low Income Monthly Pass
  • Calgary Transit Low Income Seniors Yearly Pass
Category Monthly cost
Band A $5.90 CAD
Band B $41.30 CAD
Band C $59.00 CAD

  • Recreational benefits:

  • 75% discount on basic services and sections

  • $250 per child or 4 sessions per year

  • $50 for adults for one course

  • Other services:

  • Property Tax Assistance Program

  • Seniors Home Maintenance

  • No Cost Spay/Neuter Program

  • Parking Permit

  • Low-cost internet/telecom

Eligibility criteria

  • Residence in Calgary
  • Income limits (2025):
Family size 15000 line
1 person $31,264
2 people $38,922
3 people $47,851
4 people $58,096
5 people $65,892
6 people $74,315
7 people $82,739
  • Income documents: AISH, Alberta Works, Resettlement Assistance Program, Notice of Assessment, social worker

Note: RAP automatically qualifies for Fair Entry (critical for government-assisted refugees).

How to apply

  • Online (myID on the Calgary website)
  • Mail/Fax/In person: Municipal Building or Village Square Library

Validity period: 12 months

Housing benefits

Calgary Housing Company

  • Over 10,000 units of affordable housing.
  • Eligibility:
  1. Citizenship/Status (citizen, permanent resident, refugee/applicant)
  2. Income | Apartment | Income limit | |----------------|--------------| | Studio | $54,500 | | 1 bedroom | $65,000 | | 2 bedrooms | $77,000 | | 3 bedrooms | $85,000 | | 4+ bedrooms | $96,500 |
  3. Assets up to $25,000
  • Program types:
  • Community Housing: rent ≤30% of income
  • Affordable Housing: ≈30% below market rate
  • Near Market: ≈10% below market rate

Rent Assistance Programs

  • Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB): Income below the limit, own rental agreement, status.
  • Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB): Short-term solution for workers who do not receive social assistance.

Benefits for specific immigrant groups

Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs): Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)

  • Services: airport pickup, temporary housing, assistance with housing and program registration, orientation, financial assistance, basic life skills.
  • Authorized funding through the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS).

Ukrainian Evacuees (CUAET)

  • Free visa and open work permit (up to 3 years of stay).
  • One-time and regular financial assistance, full medical coverage.
  • Medical and social support similar to Alberta citizens.

Temporary foreign workers

  • CCIS provides a meeting, assistance with documents, transition to permanent residence, and multilingual support.

Educational benefits

Permanent residents

  • Free school (up to age 18).
  • Reduced tuition fees at universities.
  • Student loans and assistance (if you have a SIN and live in Alberta).

Temporary residents with study permits

  • Access to universities/colleges.
  • Opportunity to work after graduation and apply for permanent residence.

Support services and organizations

  • Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS): 95 programs, meeting, relocation, multilingual support.

  • Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC): language assessment, employment, translation, 10,000+ clients per year.

  • Centre for Newcomers (CFN): LINC, employment, childcare, integration.

  • CIWA: support for immigrant women, utility and emergency assistance.

  • TIES: free English, workshops, mental health support.

  • Gateway Calgary: 150+ programs, individual support for newcomers, 25+ languages.

Application process and important documents

Required documents:

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Proof of residence/status/income

**Tips:

  1. Get your SIN as soon as possible.
  2. Register with an immigration organization.
  3. Always file your tax return.
  4. Keep copies of your documents.
  5. Apply to multiple programs at the same time.

Timeframe and expectations

  • Fair Entry: review — up to 12 months
  • Federal Benefits (CRA): review — several weeks
  • Housing: waiting lists — 2–5 years
  • RAB/TRAB: limited funding, not all applicants are accepted

Prioritization: priority is given based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Special considerations based on immigration status

Permanent residents

  • Full access to most benefits, immediate medical coverage, ability to study, work, apply for loans, etc.

Temporary residents

  • Access is limited; 18 months of residency is required for Child Benefit.
  • Partial medical coverage and provincial benefits.

Refugees and protected persons

  • Automatic access to Fair Entry through RAP.
  • Specialized support programs, immediate medical assistance.

Challenges and barriers

  • Language barriers: Even with multilingual support, accessing benefits can be difficult.
  • Navigating a complex system: 60% of newcomers to Canada do not seek assistance due to the complexity of the system.
  • Documentation requirements: Some categories require a large number of documents.
  • Limited funding: agency capacity has been reduced due to IRCC policy changes.

Recommendations

  1. Contact settlement organizations at the outset.
  2. Use multilingual information resources.
  3. Attend information sessions.
  4. Keep all important documents.
  5. Be patient, the system can be slow, but support is available.

Contact information

Federal programs:

  • Canada Revenue Agency: 1-800-387-1193
  • Service Canada: 1-800-206-7218

Provincial programs:

  • Alberta Supports Contact Centre: 1-877-644-9992
  • 24-hour emergency center: 1-866-644-5135

Municipal programs:

  • Fair Entry: 311
  • Calgary Housing Company: (587) 390-1200

Main settlement organizations:

  • CCIS: 403-265-3100
  • ISC: 403-265-1120
  • Centre for Newcomers: 403-569-3325
  • CIWA: 403-263-4414
  • TIES: 403-216-1337

Emergency assistance: 211 (multilingual line), SORCe: 316, 7th Avenue SE

Online resources:

  • Fair Entry: calgary.ca/fairentry
  • Alberta rent assistance: alberta.ca/rent-assistance
  • Federal benefits: canada.ca/en/revenue-agency
  • 211 Alberta: ab.211.ca
  • Gateway Calgary: gatewayconnects.ca

New immigrants to Calgary have a wide range of benefits and services to choose from. Permanent residents have the most opportunities, but temporary residents and refugees can also receive support through specialized programs. The most important thing is to actively contact immigration organizations, learn how to submit documents on time, and take advantage of the extensive support system.