LAKELAND - "As soon as it was announced, we had calls," says Lac La Biche County's Manager of Family and Community Support Services Anita Polturak, describing the first days of registration for the provincial government's Affordability Action Plan.
Offering a share of $2.8 billion in cost-cutting relief measures, part of the plan is offering money to eligible Alberta families, seniors and those on certain fixed benefits.
Across the Lakeland, thousands of households can benefit from the funding assistance that is in place for the next six months. Those seeking the assistance, however, may need some help finding that help, says Polturak.
Since the online access to register for the benefits opened on Jan. 18, many Albertans have found the process challenging. In the opening hours of registration, the province's online portal crashed. It was quickly fixed, but some concerns have continued. News reports from across the province have highlighted continuing challenges with the registration process.
Since many of the applicants are seniors, eligible for $100 per month for each eligible person over the age of 65 in a household, Polturak said the online application can be a challenge.
"We've heard there have been some difficulties," said Polturak, adding that municipal staff as well as several organizations across the Lakeland are in the process of getting increased training on the action plan.
"Our staff will be having a comprehensive training session in the last week of January," she said, explaining that the calls and questions received in the first week of the registration process were resolved.
Help across the Lakeland
The enhanced resources to assist people with the applications is province-wide, with Alberta Supports offices open evenings and on Saturdays to help residents in all parts of the province. In the Lakeland, there are Alberta Supports offices in Lac La Biche, St. Paul, Bonnyville and Cold Lake. Maps, addresses and contact numbers for each office can be found online at www.alberta.ca/alberta-supports.
As the program rolls out, Polturak says more people will apply. She said staff in her department are doing their part to spread the message about the tax-free assistance. Offering community programming for seniors, teens, young families and the less fortunate, Polturak says municipal offices across the province will be reaching out to their residents.
"For sure, our staff will be encouraging people to seek the funding, letting them know that it's available, how they can access it — and how they can get help to do that," she said.
Cold Lake-Bonnyville-St. Paul MLA Dave Hanson has had a busy week since the Affordability Action Plan opened its registration process. Hanson was contacted for an interview by Lakeland This Week about the assistance plan and what it can mean to eligible Lakeland residents, but scheduling conflicts kept that from happening. Instead, during a quick chat to set up a future interview, Hanson said he has been busy with calls about the plan, saying it is a need provincial program — and a good one.
The new funding assistance is available to eligible households across Alberta that bring in less than $180,000 per year. According to Statistics Canada, the average income per household in communities across the Lakeland is about $95,000 per year, with the average income for a Lakeland resident around $47,000 per year.
"As far as government programs go, this will help Albertans in many situations," he said, explaining that he knows a lot of young families in his own community who struggle — even with parents working full-time jobs — to keep up with the rising inflation costs and other general "life challenges."
He said the province's plan helps people who may not have known where else to go for assistance.
"Some people do fall through the cracks — and we hope this helps some of them," he said.
A followup interview is expected with Hanson later this week.
More savings
The household payment initiatives are only one part of the provincial government's Affordability Action Plan. Other funding incentives include rebates on natural gas and electricity payments and fuel tax rebates at the pumps. In addition, $20 million of the overall $2.8 billion will go to Alberta food banks over the next two years. Low income transit passes, and increases to existing programs like the AISH and Alberta Child and Family Benefits are also part of the plan.
For more details on the utility and service savings, visit the provincial government's website, call municipal offices or the Alberta Supports locations: Lac La Biche- 780-623-5215; Bonnyville - 780-826-4175; St. Paul - 780-645-6473; Cold Lake - 780-594-1984.
Scam alerts
RCMP and government officials are also cautioning residents about scams involving the payment plans. Several area residents have reported emails and calls from people reporting ot be government staff, requesting personal information.
Provincial officials say that the Government of Alberta will not send texts or emails about the rebate program and will not ask Albertans to submit information to receive rebates. Anyone who receives what they think is a fraudulent request for information is encouraged to contact the RCMP.
