Income Support, Training and Health Benefits Regulation, Schedule 4, sections 6 and 6
Delegation of Minister's Authority to Directors/Staff Ministerial Order (Labour and Immigration)
Delegation of Minister's Authority to Directors/Staff Ministerial Order (Advanced Education)
Full Time Learners:  Schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Advanced Education)
Full Time Learners:  Schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Labour and Immigration)

INTENT

The Government of Alberta assists with the additional costs when learners are required to travel in specific situations.

POLICY

The Government of Alberta may pay travel costs when a member of a learner household has to travel for the following reasons:

• to reach a place of safety
• to receive treatment (e.g., addictions, medical, etc.)
• to comply with Child Support Services requirements including DNA testing, or
• to make a mandatory appearance in criminal court proceedings within Alberta.

The benefit is issued only to the person(s) who is/are required to travel. In a situation where another member of the household unit has to accompany that person because of that person’s age or health, a benefit for the accompanying person is also issued (e.g., if a small child has to travel to the health service, only one adult may be given the benefit to accompany that child).

Substantiation

In all cases a signed Change in Circumstances form for Learners is required and when in doubt additional substantiation as identified below.

• Reaching a Place of Safety: communication (i.e. letter or Mobius Notes) from an Authorized Official or authorized training provider indicating knowledge of the need for safety (e.g. fleeing abuse) or evidence from a reliable source (e.g. physician, nurse practitioner, police, women’s shelter).
• Receiving Treatment: letter from a physician or nurse practitioner, the treatment facility or another professional (e.g. addictions counselor, a Child and Family Services worker) outlining the necessary treatment.
• Complying with Child Support Services: confirmation from Child Support Services, or a copy of the court document.
• Appearing in Criminal Court: communication from the Authorized Official or authorized training provider indicating knowledge of situation, or copy of a court document.

Rate

Actual cost based on the least cost alternative:

Transportation

• Actual cost of public transit, or
• Per kilometer rate (see: Benefit Rate Table) for a private vehicle, or
• Actual cost of taxi fare

Accommodation

• Actual cost of reasonable motel, hotel or shelter

Food, if member(s) of the household unit are required to travel outside the community where they reside for more than 24 hours.

• See: Benefit Rate Table
  

Child care

• Actual cost of child care at established rates.

The benefits are only issued for the person(s) required to travel.

In all situations, benefits are issued for the most reasonable and economical means.

PROCEDURE

The learner must submit a Change in Circumstances form for Learners during the training period requesting the benefits.

APPROVAL

Learner Benefit Coordinator, Learner Income Support Office