It is a good idea to plan your finances as part of your safety planning process
If you are leaving an abusive relationship, financial help is available, including government benefits and family support payments.
- Think about what your income and expenses will be if you were to leave.
- Calculate how much money you would need to support yourself and your children.
- Figure out if you need to apply for financial support described below.
Escaping Abuse Benefit | Victims of Crime Assistance Program | Criminal Restitution | Partner & Spousal Support | Child Support | Housing
Escaping Abuse Benefit
The Alberta government provides emergency funding to help people escaping family violence or domestic violence.
You can apply if all the following are true:
- You are living in an abusive family situation or have already left.
- You do not have enough money to leave an abusive family situation or start over.
- You do not qualify for other ongoing Alberta benefits.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You live in Alberta.
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, refugee, or refugee claimant.
The benefit is there to help you with expenses. You can use it to pay for the support you need to get to safety or start a new life. This could include emergency transportation, short term accommodation, emergency personal items, and more.
This benefit is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To apply, call Alberta Supports:
- 1.877.644.9992 (7:30am to 8pm on weekdays)
- 1.866.6445135 (weekends, holidays and after hours)
Learn more on the Government of Alberta’s website.
Victims of Crime Assistance Program
This program supports victims of crimes reported to police.
Emergency assistance can help with:
- emergency safety and security losses and damages
- reimbursement for expenses related to attending court for specific events (such as sentencing or providing a victim impact statement)
- immediate access to short-term supports (such as counselling)
Learn more on the Government of Alberta’s website.
NOTE | The Government of Alberta is reviewing this program. It may change.
Criminal Restitution
If you experienced domestic violence and pressed criminal charges, you may be able to ask for restitution if your spouse or partner is convicted of the charges.
Restitution is a court order that makes the person who caused harm pay another person’s expenses directly related to the crime. These expenses can include those related to bodily harm, lost wages, counselling services, moving expenses, etc. You can only apply for restitution if the person who caused harm pleads guilty or if a judge or jury convicts them. You must apply before the person is sentenced.
Learn more on the Government of Alberta’s website.
Partner & Spousal Support
If you are married, you can apply for spousal support. If you are in an adult interdependent relationship, you can apply for partner support. Spousal or partner support are payments from one person to the other, usually from the person who makes more money to the person making less. You do not automatically get support. You must prove you should get spousal or partner support. If you and your partner or spouse cannot agree on support, you will have to apply to court for a judge to decide.
TIP | Not sure if you are in an adult interdependent relationship? Read CPLEA’s Living Together info sheet to learn more.
Child Support
Child support is money paid by one parent or guardian to the other for the child. It is the right of the child, not the parent receiving the money. Child support is usually paid monthly and is calculated using a set formula. Child support is the same for married and unmarried parents. If you and your partner or spouse cannot agree on child support, you will have to apply to court for a judge to decide.
TIP | Learn more about spousal support, partner support and child support at www.cplea.ca/family.
Housing
- Are you renting and wanting to end your lease early? Read the Ending a Lease page to learn more about renting and ending your lease early.
- Are you wanting to stay in your home and have the person causing harm move out? Read the Exclusive Possession Orders page to learn more.
- If you have nowhere to go, call the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters at 1.866.331.3933 for help finding a shelter near you.