Evacuee Debit Card Information

The Alberta government is providing debit cards to eligible wildfire evacuees from Fort

McMurray and Northern Alberta.

 

• Those who qualify will receive $1,250 per adult and $500 per child issued on one card per household.
• Funds will help pay for the costs of being away from home, including immediate housing needs and day-to-day purchases such as groceries, gas and more.
• Debit cards can be used for cash withdrawals at ATMs, debit machines and retail purchases.

 

WHO WILL GET A CARD

You can get a card if you:

• were forced to leave Fort McMurray and area, and
• were unable to return to home for a minimum of seven days as a result of

o an evacuation order;

o an imminent health and safety threat; or

o a lack of reasonable transportation options to return home.

 

You are not eligible if you:

o are from a community outside of the impacted area;

o were not in the impacted area during the evacuation period; or

o were in the community when the evacuation occurred but were able to return home

within seven days.

 

HOW TO GET A CARD

• You must register with the Canadian Red Cross at redcross.ca/registration or 1-888-350-

6070, if you haven’t already registered. Your Red Cross registration number must be presented at the debit card location.

• You must bring photo ID, your social insurance number proof that you reside in or were present in the community during the evacuation or imminent danger period. If you are picking up the debit card for your household, you must also provide proof of relationship.

·          If you don’t have proper identification you may make a statutory declaration. Indigenous evacuees may have someone from the First Nation confirm their identity.

 

WHERE TO GET A CARD

 

Debit Card Location	Hours of Operation
Edmonton
Edmonton Butterdome 114 St – 87 Ave	May 11:           2 pm – 8 pm May 12 – 19:   8 am – 8 pm May 20:           8 am – 12 pm
Calgary
McMahon Stadium – Red & White Club 1833 Crowchild Trail NW	May 11:           2 pm – 8 pm May 12 – 19:   8 am – 8 pm May 20:           8 am – 12 pm
BMO Centre, Calgary Stampede Park 20 Roundup Way SW	May 11:           2 pm – 8 pm May 12 – 19:   8 am – 8 pm May 20:           8 am – 12 pm
Lac La Biche
Penalty Box, Upstairs in the Bold Centre 8702-91 Ave	May 11:           2 pm – 8 pm May 12 – 13:   8 am – 8 pm

 

Mobile Options

You must visit a debit card processing location to receive your debit card; however, alternate arrangements can be made for seniors, individuals with mobility issues, people with special needs, or those who have left the province temporarily and are unable to attend a debit card location. Please telephone the contact centre for more information.

 

INSURANCE INFORMATION

 

Most home and tenant’s insurance policies provide coverage for reasonable living expenses when a mandatory evacuation order is issued by authorities. Keep your receipts for food, clothing or lodging. You may also be entitled to additional living expenses under your insurance policy. Please contact your insurance representative to find out more about your coverage. If you can’t remember your provider, please call the Insurance Bureau of Canada at

1-844-227-5422 or contact them by email at  FortMacFire@ibc.ca.

 

If you don’t have insurance coverage and a reception centre is unable to meet your immediate daily needs, you can apply for an emergency needs allowance through Alberta Works. This benefit may cover your accommodation, food, clothing and other urgent needs.

 

 

MORE INFORMATION

Contact Centre: 310-4455 toll-free within Alberta (1-844-406-3276 outside of Alberta) for information about emergency funding and wildfire-related issues.

 

Website: alberta.ca/emergency.cfm