Government now accepting child-care subsidy applications online

Parents of children in daycare or after-school care can now apply for provincial government child-care subsidies online.

Children’s Services Minister Rebecca Schulz said Tuesday the switch to digital should make filing and processing applications quicker, and reduce the amount of paperwork government staff handle.

“This is a common-sense and long overdue change to help parents get the support they need,” Schulz said in a Tuesday press release.

Schulz and red tape reduction associate minister Grant Hunter announced the change at an Edmonton child-care center on Tuesday.

Low- and middle-income families with children 12 and under can apply for child-care subsidies if parents are working, looking for work, attending school or the parent or child has a disability.

A parent or child must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and live in Alberta to qualify. Subsidies vary based on income, the number of children in care and the type of child care.

Applicants can still print and submit applications on paper, but they take longer for government workers to process.

The government website also has an online tool where potential applicants can estimate their subsidy.