Social Development Department | Fort McMurray 468 First Nation

The Social Development Department offers two programs to provide financial assistance for Members in need.
These programs include Income Assistance and Assisted Living.

Income Assistance Program

The Income Assistance Program aims to improve the quality of life by alleviating poverty and hardshisp on reserve, helping income assistance clients become more employable and to secure and/or maintain a job. Its purpose is to:

Support the basic and special needs of indigent residents of First Nations reserves and their dependents; and
Support access to services to help clients transition to and remain in the workforce.

Authority

The Income Assistance Program is intended to provide financial assistance to low-income, on-reserve residents to support their basic and special needs and to help them become more self-reliant, in alignment with the rate schedule and eligibility criteria of the reference province/territory. These programs contribute to one or more of the following expected outcomes:

Eligible Members and their children’s basic and special needs are met.
All Nation Members are safe.
Members are employable and able to become and/or remain attached to the workforce.

These outcomes are directly aligned with the program activities and sub-activities outlined in the Indigenous Services Canada Income Assistance National Program Guidelines for 2025-2026.

Objectives

The Income Assistance Program provides funding to assist eligible individuals and families who are ordinarily resident on reserve with basic needs, special needs, and employment and pre-employment measures designed to increase self-reliance, to improve life skills, and to promote greater attachment to the workforce. The expected outcome of the Income Assistance Program is an improved quality of life through the reduction of poverty and hardship on reserve, and improved participation in and attachment to the workforce.

Responsibilities

Income Assistance Program delivery responsibilities are divided between the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada. When a First Nation or Tribal Council has been authorized by a funding arrangement to administer the Income Assistance Program, they also assume various responsibilities associated with the program. In addition, clients have responsibilities when applying for or receiving Income Assistance benefits.

Applying for Income Support

When applying for Income Assistance, the client must bring the following documentation:

Two pieces of identification (one with a picture)
Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment statement
Identification for dependents (e.g., Health Care Card for children)
Completed and signed job search form with proof of contact from five different employers
Record of Employment
Last two pay stubs
Residency verification
Medical confirmation from a physician if unable to work (Ask for a ‘Medical Release’)
“Special Diets” form (if applicable)
Consent to Release of Information form
Bank statement
Student verification

All items must be submitted when applying for Income Assistance for the first time. Once all required documents are available, you can make an appointment.

Assisted Living Program

The Assisted Living (AL) Program is an income-dependent, residency-based program that provides funding to support non-medical social services for seniors, adults with chronic illnesses, and children and adults with disabilities (mental and physical), enabling them to maintain functional independence and greater self-reliance.

The objective of the AL Program is to ensure that non-medical social supports are accessible to low-income individuals, helping them maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Who Can Apply

First Nations, provinces, and the Yukon administer assisted living services through funding agreements with the federal government.
Individuals apply by contacting their band’s assisted living coordinator or band manager to arrange an assessment by a health care provider.

Eligibility Requirements for Individuals

Must live on reserve or be ordinarily resident on reserve.
Must be formally assessed by a health care provider as requiring social support services.
Must not have the personal means or access to other federal, provincial, or Yukon government supports to obtain the services.
Residents of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are covered under their territorial government programs (not this program).

Definition of “Ordinarily Resident on Reserve”

The individual lives on reserve and does not maintain a primary residence off reserve.
If temporarily off reserve to obtain care unavailable on reserve, they are still considered ordinarily resident and may qualify, provided other eligibility criteria are met.

For Information or Assistance

Phone: 780-334-2293
Email: socialdevelopment@fmfn468.com