Session held on new Alberta Disability Assistance Program

By Rob Vogt
There are a lot of questions surrounding the provincial government’s transition from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, or AISH, to the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program, or ADAP.
Vanessa McKenzie, executive director of Inclusion Foothills, held an information session on April 22 at Sparta House to share what information was available on the transition.
It attracted more than 50 AISH recipients and family members, service providers and members of the public.
The Alberta Disability Assistance Program, or ADAP, is proposed to allow Albertans with disabilities to pursue fulfilling job opportunities while continuing to receive the financial, health and employment supports they need.
Individuals with severe disability assessed as “having some ability to work” will be transitioned to ADAP in July 2026.
Almost all AISH recipients will be automatically moved from AISH to ADAP.
There are exceptions, such as individuals with terminal illness, a profound intellectual disability, individuals 60 years of age or older, and individuals living in continuing care facilities.
Also, individuals “permanently unable to work” will remain on AISH.
McKenzie then went over what AISH offers now and what ADAP will offer.
Under AISH: recipients receive AISH health benefits; clients receive a monthly core benefit of up to $1,940; it already allows for employment earning exemptions; and there is a process to appeal denials based on medical eligibility.
Under ADAP: there are the same comprehensive health benefits as AISH; clients will receive a monthly core benefit of up to $1,740; the employment earning exemptions table has not been fully released yet; recipients are expected to engage with government-funded disability employment services; and recipients are unable to appeal decisions made by the medical review panel.
McKenzie then shared facts about ADAP.
There is a 10 percent cut from $1,940 to $1,740 for individuals moved from AISH to ADAP.
A $200 per month transition benefit delays the cut until January 2028 for those already on AISH when they move to ADAP on July 1, 2026.
It lowers the fully exempt employment income for a single individual from $1,072 per month under the current AISH program to $700 per month on ADAP, or $350 under the new AISH program.
However, the provincial government has not yet released the full regulations and policy details on the employment earnings exemptions.
McKenzie concluded by identifying the key concerns and issues with ADAP.
There will be reduced income as ADAP provides a lower monthly benefit than currently through AISH.
The expectation that people with disabilities will find sufficient employment to increase their overall income on ADAP does not necessarily reflect systemic barriers such as discrimination and inaccessible workplaces.
People will need new medical assessments if they choose to reapply for AISH, and will be unable to appeal decisions by the medical review panel.
It was noted the government will cover the cost of one medical assessment.