Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) is Alberta’s provincial government’s support program for its residents with disabilities. At the beginning of 2023, this program’s payment amount was increased to match the rate of inflation.
This year, AISH beneficiaries can now receive a maximum monthly living allowance of $1,787. Other benefits that vary depending on their medical, financial, and family circumstances are also provided.
This article thoroughly discusses every crucial information about AISH, including its eligibility requirements, payment dates, and how much you can receive.
Key Takeaways
- The maximum standard living allowance AISH recipients can receive in 2023 is $1,787. For those under the modified living allowance, the maximum personal allowance is $342.
- Individuals who earn at least $1,702 and families who earn $2,612 are exempted from AISH benefits.
- AISH monthly payments are typically paid on the first day of every month. However, when the first day of the month is a holiday or a weekend, beneficiaries will receive their payment on the last day of the previous month.
What is the Assured Income for The Severely Handicapped (AISH) Benefit?
Established in 1979, the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped is a program provided by the provincial government of Alberta to assist its residents with disabilities in meeting their financial and health-related needs.
Some of the primary AISH benefits include a monthly living allowance, child benefits, free health insurance, and additional financial assistance that covers the qualified expenses of beneficiaries.
It’s worth noting, though, that while this relief program is specifically catered for individuals living with disabilities, not everyone with a severe handicap can automatically receive benefits from AISH.
The purpose of this program is to help Albertans with disabilities who are clearly unable to support themselves. Hence, one must fit the program’s eligibility requirements to receive financial and other relief from it.
Increase to AISH Payment Amounts
Between 2019 and 2022, the maximum monthly payment given by AISH remained fixed at $1,685. However, in 2023, the provincial government of Alberta made a significant change.
Alberta decided to index the living allowance for AISH beneficiaries to inflation. Due to this, the AISH payment amounts increased by 6 percent in 2023, allowing the program’s beneficiaries to now receive up to $1,787 a month.
The AISH payment amounts are expected to adjust continuously annually according to the changing cost of living going forward unless the government specifies otherwise.
What is the Maximum AISH Payment?
The maximum AISH payment is $1,787 per month for beneficiaries subject to the standard living allowance.
Those who live in an approved facility, on the other hand, will receive a modified living allowance consisting of a personal allowance (of up to $342) and an accommodation rate (of up to $2,201).
On top of the living allowance, AISH beneficiaries with dependents are also eligible to receive a child benefit of $212 for the first child and $106 for each additional child.
When will the AISH Payment Increase?
The AISH payment increase took effect starting with the January 2023 payment, which was received by beneficiaries on December 12, 2022.
The amount of monthly payments will remain consistent until the last AISH payment for 2023.
AISH Payment Dates 2023
The monthly payment for AISH typically occurs on the first day of every month. However, when the first day of the month is a weekend or a holiday, beneficiaries will receive their AISH payment on the last day of the previous month instead.
The table below shows the exact AISH payment dates for the entire year of 2023.
| Month of Assistance | Payment Date |
| January | 12-22-2022 |
| February | 02-01-2023 |
| March | 03-01-2023 |
| April | 03-31-2023 |
| May | 05-01-2023 |
| June | 06-01-2023 |
| July | 06-30-2023 |
| August | 08-01-2023 |
| September | 09-01-2023 |
| October | 09-29-2023 |
| November | 11-01-2023 |
| December | 12-01-2023 |
Will AISH Increase in 2024?
Alberta’s provincial government has not yet released statements regarding any potential increase in AISH payments for 2024.
However, due to the new indexing of benefits policy stating that AISH benefits will be adjusted annually using the Alberta Consumer Price Index, beneficiaries will most likely receive higher monthly payments in 2024.
AISH Eligibility
There are three main criteria that Alberta residents must meet in order to be eligible to receive the AISH benefits:
- Age and residency criteria
- Medical criteria
- Financial criteria
Let’s go over each criterion in detail.
Age and Residency Criteria
To be eligible for AISH payments, you must be at least 18 years old and reside in Alberta as a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
You should not be eligible to receive the Old Age Security pension yet, and nor should you be in a correctional or mental health facility.
Medical Criteria
As AISH is a program meant to help those who are severely handicapped, you must have a medical condition that’s likely to remain permanent in order to be eligible for its benefits.
For your medical condition to be considered a severe handicap, it must:
- Impair your mental or physical functioning
- Substantially limit your ability to work and earn a living
- Be an impairment that’s likely to be permanent and has no available therapy to improve your ability to earn a living
Some disabilities that qualify for AISH include neurological disorders, mental health problems, sensory disorders, cardiovascular disorders, and respiratory disorders.
Note: As an AISH beneficiary, you’ll be subject to undergo available medical treatment, rehabilitation, therapy, and training that AISH believes can improve your ability to earn a living.
Financial Criteria
To be eligible for this program, you and your partner must not have non-exempted assets that are worth more than $100,000.
Non-exempt assets include but are not limited to, chequing and savings accounts, cheques, GICs, RRSPs, and RRIFs.
Note that certain assets, such as your main vehicle and reasonable household items, are considered “exemptions” and do not count towards this $100,000 limit.
Once you meet the financial criteria, AISH will assess your income to determine how much you qualify to receive from the program every month. To make reasonable calculations, AISH will divide your income into three types: exempt, non-exempt, and partially exempt.
Exempt income, such as child support, cash gifts, and certain government benefits, will not affect your AISH monthly living allowance.
On the other hand, non-exempt income, including spousal support payments, CPP children’s benefits, and pension-related annuities, are counted at their full value when determining your AISH benefits.
The income you and your spouse receive from your employer, self-employment, and passive business is considered “partially exempt.” This means that only a portion of their value is counted when determining the amount you receive from AISH.
How to Apply for AISH
You can apply for AISH online, through fax, or by mail.
The application has two parts, one which comprises forms you’ll need to fill out yourself and the other being an AISH Medical Report Form that must be completed by your doctor.
Note that if you’re asked to pay for the service of your physician filling out the medical report, you’ll be responsible for this fee, not AISH.
If you’re not applying online, submit your AISH application by mail to AISH, PO Box 17000 Station Main, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4B3. Alternatively, you can fax your application to the number 1-877-969-3006.
A staff member from AISH may request additional information if you’ve missed some of the required documents. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a phone call or a letter confirming your eligibility for the program.
FAQs
Individuals have up to $1,702 of income exemption for AISH. Families, on the other hand, have a higher income exemption, allowing them to earn up to $2,612 monthly without affecting their AISH payments.
When you turn 65, you’ll stop receiving your AISH payments, as you’ll be eligible for federal financial support for seniors, including OAS, GIS, and CPP, instead. AISH recipients will be automatically registered for these senior benefits, so you won’t need to submit separate applications.
As an AISH recipient, you cannot have over $100,000 worth of non-exempt assets, which include money in your bank account and cash. That’s because this program is meant to help Albertans with disabilities who cannot financially support themselves.
Yes, AISH can be taken away if the recipient (or their spouse) eventually earns enough to be able to support themselves financially. AISH is also taken away when the beneficiary turns 65, as they can receive federal financial support for seniors instead.
Related:
