The Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) is a financial and health benefit available to residents of Alberta who have a permanent medical disability that prevents them from working.
AISH benefit payments are paid out monthly, and the amount varies depending on income, assets, and the number of dependent children.
The AISH program has been around since 1979, and it was one of the very first financial assistance programs for the severely handicapped.
Other programs in Alberta for those with disabilities include Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL), Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP), and the Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities.
Programs similar to AISH in other provinces include the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID).
Read on to learn about AISH payment dates in 2023, amounts, and how to apply.
AISH Payment Dates 2023
The payment dates for AISH were recently updated to the first of the month. For months where the first day falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment date is the last business day of the previous month.
The AISH payment dates in 2023 are:
- December 22, 2022 (January 2023 benefits)
- February 1, 2023 (February benefits)
- March 1, 2023 (March benefits)
- March 31, 2023 (April benefits)
AISH payments are made via direct deposit to your bank account. To sign up for a direct deposit, you need to complete a Direct Deposit Registration Form and provide it to AISH along with a void cheque.
You can also receive payments via cheque.
What is AISH?
The AISH program provides a mix of health and financial benefits to Albertans who are unable to earn a living as a result of a debilitating or permanent medical condition.
The financial benefits include a:
- Monthly living allowance
- Child benefits
If you rent or own a house, you may qualify for a living allowance of $1,787 per month.
For those living in an approved nursing home or auxiliary hospital, a modified living allowance comprising a personal allowance rate ($342) and accommodation rate (up to $2,201) is provided.
The monthly benefit for dependent children is $212 for the first child and $106 for each additional child.
A variety of health benefits are also available through AISH, including:
- Prescription drugs
- Dental services
- Optical services
- Diabetic supplies
- Ambulance services
Eligible individuals can access these benefits using their AISH Health Benefits Card.
Who Qualifies for AISH Benefits?
To qualify for AISH, a combination of factors are assessed, and you must meet specific age, residency, financial and medical requirements.
Age: You must be at least 18 years of age and not be eligible for Old Age Security (OAS).
Residency: You must be a resident of Alberta and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you cannot be incarcerated or live in a mental health facility.
Medical: You must have a severe handicap that significantly impacts your ability to work and earn an income. In general, you should have an impairment that:
- Affects your mental and/or physical functioning
- Limits your ability to earn a living
- Will likely continue to permanently hamper your ability to earn a living
While receiving AISH benefits, you are expected to continue to look for work and utilize available rehabilitation, training, and medical treatment that can help you take on gainful employment.
Financial: Your income and that of your spouse or partner impact your eligibility for AISH. Income is treated as either exempt, partially exempt, or non-exempt for the purposes of determining your eligibility for AISH.
Exempt income includes income tax refunds, Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) payments, death benefits, cash gifts, and Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) payments.
Non-exempt income includes the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), employment insurance, pension annuities, spousal payments, and Workers’ Compensation Board benefits.
Partially-exempt income includes employment income, self-employment income, passive business income, retirement allowance, spousal income from the CPP, EI, OAS, Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and more.
Your assets and investments are also considered. However, assets such as your primary residence and means of transportation (e.g. a car) are excluded.
To qualify for AISH, your non-exempt assets, such as cash, TFSA, RRSP, and savings, cannot exceed $100,000.
What Disabilities Qualify for AISH?
A medical report is part of the AISH application and is completed by a physician. Some of the medical conditions listed on the physicians’ guide are:
Neurological disorders: Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, paraplegia, muscular dystrophy, brain injury, dementia, learning disabilities, quadriplegia, cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson’s, and other neurological disorders.
Multi-systemic disorders: Cancer, AIDS, connective tissue disorders (e.g. lupus), and other multi-systemic disorders.
Cardiovascular disorders: Including heart disease, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism.
Respiratory disorders: Including respiratory diseases, e.g. COPD, asthma, and sleep disorder.
Musculoskeletal disorders: Arthritis, amputation, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, low back pain syndrome, spinal stenosis, etc.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
Renal disorders: Kidney disease and chronic renal failure.
Endocrinology disorders: Cystic fibrosis, diabetes, obesity, and other endocrinology diseases
Sensory disorders: Blindness, visual impairment, deafness, hearing impairment, and other sensory disorders.
Mental health: Psychosis, depression, bipolar mania, anxiety, personality disorder, substance use disorder, PTSD, and other mental illnesses.
The list also includes various cognitive and developmental disorders.
Having one or more of these disabilities/disorders is not a guarantee that you are eligible for AISH. Your medical history, level of impairment, potential treatment options, and prognoses may impact your final assessment.
How To Apply for AISH
To apply for the AISH benefit, complete Part A of the AISH application form and have your physician complete the medical report in Part B.
Submit your completed application form and other documents to AISH by either mailing them to P O Box 17000 Station Main, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4B3 or faxing them to 1-877-969-3006.
You can appeal it in writing within 30 days if your application is not approved.
How Much AISH Will You Get?
The basic living allowance is $1,787.
If you are living in an approved hospital or nursing home, the accommodation rate is paid as per the Nursing Homes Operation Regulation, and you receive a personal monthly allowance of $342. The maximum accommodation room rate payable is $2,201 or $72.35 per day.
AISH recipients with dependent children receive $200 monthly for the first child and $100 for each additional child.
You are encouraged to work and earn income while on AISH.
As a single individual, you can earn up to $1,072 in employment income per month without impacting your AISH payments. Income between $1,072 and $2,009 is 50% exempt.
Income exceeding $2,009 per month is clawed back at a rate of 1:1 from your AISH payment.
For a family, up to $2,612 in employment income is exempt when determining your AISH eligibility. income between $2,612 and $3,349 is 50% exempt, and income exceeding $3,349 is subject to a 1:1 clawback of AISH benefits.
AISH recipients can also qualify for additional emergency and personal benefits. Click here for the updated list.
Will AISH Increase in 2023?
As part of the Alberta Affordability Action Plan, AISH is increasing in 2023 by 6% and will be indexed to the cost of living (inflation) going forward.
The Living Allowance is increasing from a maximum of $1,685 monthly to $1,787, and the modified living allowance increases from $322 to $342. Child benefits have also increased.
Related reading
- GST Payment Dates
- Canada Disability Benefits and Payments
- CPP Survivor and Death Benefits
- CPP and OAS Benefits After Death
AISH Benefit FAQs
AISH recipients can work and earn employment income without losing AISH benefits. Employment income up to $1,072 is fully exempt for single individuals and up to $2,612 for a family unit.
At age 65, AISH recipients automatically become enrolled for provincial seniors benefits when AISH ends. Recipients may qualify for OAS, GIS, and CPP benefits.
The maximum living allowance for 2023 is $1,787 per month.
AISH has increased by 6% in 2023. Eligible recipients will also receive an additional $100 in monthly Affordability Payments for six months between January and June 2023.
Have a question about AISH benefits? Leave them in the comments.
Why was AISH dates changed and why weren’t the recipients told about the changes at least 3 months beforehand. Especially when the recipients have payments arranged for certain days that were just before the end of the month. I’m totally grateful for the benefits but why weren’t we notified I’d all I’m saying.
Why aren’t AISH recipients getting their January’s checque before Christmas??
The Province of Alberta has no business drawing a budget off the backs of challenged Albertans.The NDP government said that they could afford indexing to cost of living.I want the UCP government out of Alberta.The MLAs are making a lot of money.
It’s now February 27th and a Saturday, meaning that I should have my AISH deposited into my account by now. In the past a Monday Direct Deposit has ALWAYS ALWAYS landed in my account two days early or Saturday mornings. What really gets me is that the Cheque Info line hasn’t been updated and is supposed to have been updated last Wednesday. It’s so stressfull as I could literally lose out on a half months rental rebate that I only receive if I pay my rent on the 1st for all 12 months of the year. Just another reason why it was criminal to change our payday to the 1st of the month. If things go wrong on the AISH or Gov. end the poor gets late charges. I voted NDP because they do what works in other countries. We wouldn’t have a $15 minimum wage right now if it wasn’t for the NDP and it worked here just like it does everywhere else. You give money to the poor and they spend it in the community.
It costs too much to live. I can’t afford to live. The UCP should try living off of $1,685 for every single month. Inflation goes up and Aish doesn’t? I can’t afford to eat let alone eat healthy. I eat sandwiches for dinner. Sometimes I may have a TV dinner which is cheap when on sale. Or sometimes a bag of chips from Dollarama for lunch. And breakfast, well let’s forget about breakfast. Most days I go without breakfast because I can’t afford to buy breakfast food too.
Will aish recipients recieve a rebate in 2021
AISH likes to keep you below the poverty line so you are desperate. Some can’t work at all like myself, so my rent is barely covered and my food allowance then turns to 100 a month. How one lives, they say get a job, I have 7 of the qualifying illnesses and an aish worker who doesn’t help and isn’t kind, but they refuse to take complaints on her because her friend is the supervisor. I’ve been told to find a shelter to live in and then reminded my income would then change and the housing part removed but you need a home to receive aish…. it’s a messed up sneaky system that is the first to get money taken away if the government “needs” it for something else. It’s so stressful and doesn’t help alleviate any PTSD symptoms just makes you worse but as they like to point out not their problem.
I too am getting fed up with the lack of empathy, sympathy, and compassion these people should have. Especially when these are social workers, I had to change my worker once because this one was so Nasty I wasn’t getting anywhere with her. Request a change in your worker and explain the working relationship just doesn’t work for you both as there are apparent obvious issues, this worker has the audacity to think she/he is untouchable because of who they’re friends with is going. To get a rude awakening one day. Complain and have others do so too, Friends, family, etc. And record your convos if you have to.
1687
Rent – 600+ if living with someone it’s considered common law
Utilities-200
Food- expected to eat at the food bank (most of is about to expire) and others wouldn’t eat any of it)
Milk $8 (living in rural area)
**rural according to the canadain government but not according to aish)
Meds- try getting the ones your doctor prescribed covered (pay outta pocket)
Hair-cut it myself about to shave it
clothes,toothbrush,cleaning supplies,Razors, sanitizer,soap — check your local grocery prices ***
Car ? Haha good luck if you have less than 2000 a month income getting a loan
Expected to jump up,in,thru all hoops and dot the i’s, cross the t’s most of which don’t make sense.
Live a healthy lifestyle and be postive with were your at
Pandemic isn’t enough, Isolated, landlords keep damage deposits , denied rentals, or support to move
Loss job, rely on family and friends assuming you have them)
Living alone,
And resilient and ultimately will survive the system
Did I mention the bank also taking random payments and changing things up hoping people don’t notice as well an income must be accounted even gifts and lucky pennies.
Go work while going to appointments, 2 year limitation to counteract with insurance companies, jump though the wait lists and hoops. While suffocating in fecal matter from how the enlightened government officials are hiding mass coverups of racial manslaughter, inhumane drug trails, just rats or sheep in a lab for those with the knowledge of the power to manipulate and drain.
Unlock the potential unlock the chains free yourselves from them
The power has gone to their egos since it’s like the game of telephone lost key messages along the way.
Are we getting our benefits for December 2021 before Christmas
How? HOW are we supposed to live on this? Pay rent, bills, gas and now with inflation forget about food! Travel back and forth to Drs and specialists when you are sick with cancer and Ms? Good luck. When is this sick government going to grow a brain and HELP those who actually really need it???? I’m voting NDP! God help us if upc gets back in. Kenny needs to GO!
Not this year according to their chart. I believe last month we did.
Last year we did I meant
After winning an appeal,how far for retro payments do they go?
Please can anyone tell me what time in your birth month do you receive your last aish check when you turn 65???? I cannot seem to find this answer. Nora
How long did it take for you to get a decision made on your AISH application?
How much do you deduct after you reach the $1072 threshold? Dollar for dollar? 50%?
As an AISH recipient since 2008, I have a constant feeling of foreboding regarding current and future financial matters. Before the pandemic, before the war and before all the other matters that were driving up prices, the monthly allowance was insufficient to provide for a reasonable standard of living. It saddens me that I need to accept money from my family in order to rent a decent place to live. And to not be able to afford to buy meat. And to live in fear about my rent or utilities going up and, of course, everything else.
I realize that the government and ultimately the taxpayers are financially stressed, but what we don’t want are a bunch of homeless sick AISH recipients.
I am so incredibly grateful for the financial help and medical insurance that I receive and I am very fortunate that I have such a generous family – most of us are not that lucky. I would have given anything to be able to work like my peers but that was not to be. I would certainly be out in the workforce if I could be but due to my various issues, I’m unfit for even a part-time job to supplement my AISH allowance. That is my problem, not the government’s, but surely it is reasonable that rising costs be factored into budgeting for AISH? How can vulnerable citizens deal with rising costs with a static income?
I believe that this situation exists because the AISH program is so unpopular with the general public. Since I was approved, it’s been very apparent to me that taxpayers and even medical professionals think of those on social assistance – no matter what the reason – as being a drain on society. And I guess we are. But I doubt if there are many of us that deliberately set out to be in this position. I certainly thought I never would but the truth is, anyone can end up here.
These are my thoughts on the matter. I fondly hope that the next government consider the plight of those most in need. Please.
I am on aish, so you know what my income is my rent is $1500.00 per month try living on that. MY son lives with me he is Bi-Polar and has
been trying to get on aish for 3 years. I cannot works because of my disabilities, my son has tried it just doesn’t work out. I think we should
be receiving at least $2500.00 a month. I tried living in Calgary housing and got attacked by a bunch of native women those places are dirty and unsafe. I now live out in Strathmore, I have lived in the same place for 7 yrs yes my rent is high but all utilities are included and it’s safe. my son and I always have problems with food. I must admit I have shoplifted and yes I have got caught. But we have to eat. Yes, we go to the food bank too. But I have so many allergies it’s hard, I know that’s not an excuse. I remember when aish was under a thousand a month. It’s very difficult right now I hope my son heres soon so we have more income and can split the rent I just claimed Bankruptcy. I lost everything.
So the government keeps on making all these new taxes, and depending where you live in Canada you get to pick heat this month or food? I live in beautiful Grande Prairie Alberta ( Don’t give a shit what you say about this town it’s my home and I love it here. One of the shitty things about living here is the rent I have 2 bedrooms and that comes to $1000.00, than you have to pay power $80-$120 a month. Everyone has a cell phone which runs about $90-$130 a month, plus these other bills like Credit Cards, Cable, Internet, Insurance, Anyways you get my point, After I pay my rent and all my bills I have $70 left for food I can’t even give my daughter money to do whatever with her friends, Tell her to get a job well she has one it’s called going to school and getting amazing grades and she’s only in grade 4. They need to increase that Shitty amount cause people were going to be homeless or starve cause my daughter needs the food way more than I do. Thank you for reading I know how hard it is, Keep your head up, Stay Safe, Warm and I hope one day it gets better for everyone on Aish..
I agree with everything you’ve said and I do Is believe the people on aish Should receive a increase in their aish payments. I also agree that we should be getting at least $2500 a month To coincide with the cost of living.
What is the point of commenting here, if there is no replies here?
Also can Aish Recipients gain CSB (Canada Savings Bonds)?
with all honesty I’d like this to have been part of the program.
@Joseph: The CSB program is no longer available. See here: https://www.csb.gc.ca/