Financial Benefits

The Financial Benefits Program was created by the Alberta Victims of Crime Act in 1997. The fund is fully supported by surcharges on provincial offence fines and surcharges imposed by the courts under the Criminal Code of Canada.

The Financial Benefits Program recognizes or acknowledges victims who were injured as a direct result of a violent crime in Alberta. It provides direct assistance with a one-time financial benefit based on the severity of the victims' injuries. The benefit amount is set in the regulation to the Act.

Who Is Eligible?

Victims who have suffered a physical or emotional injury as a direct result of being a victim of violent crime that occurred in Alberta.

• The crime must have been reported to the police within a reasonable period of time and the victim must cooperate with the investigation into the incident.
• The application must be received within two years of the date of the incident. Charges do not have to be laid. Exceptions might include someone who was hospitalized for an extended period of time suffering from a brain injury, or if the victim was a child and the parent or guardian did not apply on the child’s behalf.
• The applicant must cooperate with the Financial Benefits Program and provide authorization to make inquires and obtain the information necessary to make a decision on the application.
• If the crime resulted in death, a surviving family member or any other person acting on behalf of the deceased may apply for a death benefit. There is only one benefit awarded for a deceased victim and it may be split among eligible survivors.

The program recognizes child victims and significantly incapacitated adults are not in a position to apply on their own. In those instances, a guardian or someone acting on the victim’s behalf may apply.

Not Eligible?

• Individuals charged and convicted of an offense as a result of the incident
• Secondary victims such as family members of the victim or witness to the crime
• Victims of motor vehicle or property offenses such as impaired driving or break and entry.

How to Apply:

Application forms are available from the Financial Benefits program, Victim Services Units, or through the Government of Alberta website.

Complete the form and mail it in.

The time it takes:
The average time is about four months, but this can vary greatly.

Review Process:
The Criminal Injuries Review Board is an appointed board with the authority to conduct independent review of the financial benefits decisions. The decision letter provided to applicants includes information on the review process.

Further Information:
Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security
Victims of Crime
Financial Benefits Program
10th Floor, 10365 – 97 Street, NW
Edmonton, AB. T5J 3W7