Published: November 2026 | Author: Serene Landscaping | Reading time: 7 min
For a lot of Edmonton seniors, the hardest part of winter is the walk to the front door. Heavy, wet snow is hard on the heart, icy steps are an easy place to fall, and the City still expects the sidewalk beside every home cleared of snow and ice.
This guide covers the help that exists for snow removal for seniors in Edmonton this winter, what changed in 2026, how Alberta's Special Needs Assistance program can pay part of the bill, and how to pick a residential snow removal service you can rely on.
The City pilot program has ended
From October 2024, the City of Edmonton ran an Assisted Snow Removal Pilot that cleared walkways and public sidewalks for approved low-income seniors and residents with mobility challenges. It did not clear driveways, and it filled up quickly, with new applicants placed on a waitlist.
The pilot ended in April 2026. For winter 2026-27, the City points seniors to the provincial program below, to 211 Alberta, and to Hello Seniors, run by the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council.
Alberta's Special Needs Assistance for Seniors (SNA)
SNA is a Government of Alberta program. One of the things it can help with is yard work, which for this program means grass cutting and snow removal only.
Who can qualify for help with snow removal:
- 65 years of age or older
- An Alberta resident, and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- A Seniors Financial Assistance application on file
- Total annual income of $28,290 or less for a single senior, or $45,600 or less for a couple (line 15000 of last year's tax return)
- Not living with, or renting from, family members
How much it covers: Up to $1,412 in a benefit year for housekeeping and yard maintenance combined. The benefit year runs July 1 to June 30.
Doctor's note: The first time you claim, you usually need a note from a health professional explaining why you and your spouse cannot do the work yourselves. If you and your spouse are 80 or older, no note is needed.
How to claim: Hire the service, keep your receipts, and submit them through a MyAlberta Seniors account online, by mail, or by fax. For help, call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 8 pm).
Income limits and the yearly maximum change, so confirm the current numbers on alberta.ca before you apply.
Other places to look for help
- 211 Alberta. Call 211. They can point you to local programs that change from year to year.
- Hello Seniors (Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council). Refers seniors to vetted businesses, community groups and individuals for snow clearing, yard help and housekeeping.
- Seniors centres. The City lists several that help, including Westend Seniors Activity Centre (780-483-1209) and Strathcona Place Seniors Society (780-433-5807).
- Snow Angels. The City has a printable "Snow Angel Needed" poster for your window, so neighbours know you could use a hand. Some community leagues have a weatherproof version for the front yard. The City is clear that the poster does not exempt you from the sidewalk bylaw.
- Your community league or church. Some run volunteer shovelling or know neighbours who help. Ask early, before the first big storm.
- Family and neighbours. Fine for a light snowfall, but plan a backup for the week your helper is away or sick.
What a senior should look for in a snow removal service
The cheapest quote is rarely the one that shows up at 6 am after a 20 cm dump. Before you sign, ask:
- What is the trigger? Services come out after a set amount of snow, anywhere from 1 cm to 5 cm. A lower trigger means more visits and safer walks. Ours is 1 cm.
- How fast do you come? Ask how many hours after the snow stops they clear your property. We clear contract homes within 24 hours, well inside the City's 48-hour complaint window.
- Is the sidewalk included? Some quotes cover the driveway only. For a senior, the front walk, steps and City sidewalk matter more than the driveway.
- Do you clear the windrow? That is the hard ridge of packed snow the City plow leaves across your driveway. It is heavy, icy and the worst part to shovel. Windrows are not included in our service, so plan for them separately.
- Do you put down ice melt or grit? Ask what they use and where. Steps and the path to the door need it most.
- Seasonal or per visit? A seasonal contract means you are on the route and do not have to call after every storm. We compare both in our seasonal vs per-visit guide.
- Will I get a receipt for each payment? You need receipts to claim SNA.
Seniors get 10% off our residential snow removal. Ask for the seniors rate when you request a quote.
For typical prices, see our Edmonton snow removal cost guide.
The 48-hour rule still applies
Age does not change the bylaw. The City expects sidewalks beside your property cleared of snow and ice as soon as possible. From November 1 to May 1, it accepts complaints once it has not snowed for 48 hours. A warning is a courtesy and is not always given. The penalty is a $100 fine plus the cost of the City's contractor clearing it. If you are away for part of the winter, someone still needs to keep the walk clear. Our Edmonton snow removal bylaw guide covers the rules and fines.
A few things that make winter safer at home
- Keep a bucket of grit or ice melt and a small scoop inside the front door, so you are not walking out on ice to reach it.
- Ask your snow service to clear a path to the garbage and recycling spot, not just the front door.
- Leave the outside lights on timers. Most falls happen in the dark mornings and early evenings.
- Put your snow service's number on the fridge, and give it to a family member too.
For a full pre-season list, see our winter snow removal checklist.
Common questions
Does the City of Edmonton still offer free snow removal for seniors?
Not this winter. The City's Assisted Snow Removal Pilot ended in April 2026. The City now points seniors to Alberta's Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program and to 211 for local options. Community leagues and churches sometimes run volunteer shovelling as well.
Will Alberta pay for my snow removal?
It can pay part of it. Special Needs Assistance for Seniors covers up to $1,412 a year for housekeeping and yard maintenance, which includes snow removal. You must be 65 or older and under the income limit ($28,290 single or $45,600 for a couple as of November 2026). You hire the service and submit your receipts.
Do I need a doctor's note for SNA snow removal?
Usually, the first time you claim. The note explains why you cannot do the work yourself. If you and your spouse are both 80 or older, you do not need a note. Former AISH recipients also do not need one.
Are seniors exempt from Edmonton's sidewalk snow bylaw?
No. Every property owner is responsible for clearing the sidewalk beside their home, and the City accepts complaints once it has not snowed for 48 hours. A "Snow Angel Needed" poster does not change that. If you cannot do it, arrange a service, a neighbour or a volunteer before the season starts so you are not caught after the first storm.
When should seniors book snow removal?
Before the first big snowfall, ideally in October or early November. Seasonal routes fill up, and most services give priority to contract customers after a storm. Booking early also gives you time to sort out the SNA paperwork.
Book before the next storm
If you or a parent needs reliable clearing this winter, we can set up a seasonal contract or per-visit service for homes in Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park. Call 587-566-9879 or request a quote online.
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