Province announces new funding for special needs

By Lethbridge Herald on October 11, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The government of Alberta announced Friday that they will be providing new supports to help parents and students manage financial and learning challenges during the teacher’s strike. 

Previously, the government announced a Parent Payment plan, where those with school children 12 years old and younger, will be able to receive $30 per child, per day to cover childcare costs, up to $150 per week during the strike. 

In addition, on Friday the government announced they are providing additional financial support for those with active Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) agreements who are affected by the strike.

Families of children with active FSCD agreements who are enrolled in schools affected by the strike will be eligible for the following supports: $30 per child per instructional day for children 12 years old and under, and $60 per child per instructional day for children 13 years and older. 

While families will be asked to provide their child’s FSCD File ID number, found on their FSCD agreement, a separate application process is not required.

Families of children aged 12 and under with active FSCD agreements are eligible for an additional $30 per child per school day. Combined with payments through the Parent Payment Program, this totals up to $300 per five-day school week.

Families of children aged 13 through 17 with an active FSCD agreement are eligible for $60 per child per instructional day, totalling up to $300 per five-day school week.

Parents can apply through the online parent portal, which will open on alberta.ca on Oct. 14.

If a student was 12 on Oct. 6, when labour action began, they will qualify to receive the payment for the duration of the strike, even if they turn 13 prior to labour action ending.

Also previously announced, the government increased October childcare subsidy funding rates for eligible children in grades 1 to 6 who are attending out-of-school care full time.

The temporary increase in funding will come into effect after five consecutive days of a strike and apply for all of October. The rate of funding will increase to a maximum of $644 to align with the funding rates provided during summer months when children require full-time care.