AISH

AISH is very important to people with disabilities. For many people, it is what prevents them from being homeless without food, medications or a way to get around their community. When the government talks about reducing the amount of AISH money or changing the rules to make it harder for people to get AISH, people with disabilities worry. They do not just worry about losing AISH, but they worry about what other things they may lose, like the services and supports they get through PDD or Home Care or Aids to Daily Living. This worry increases their need for mental health support. Their ability to focus on reaching goals is lost. In other words, it has a negative effect on people even if there are no changes to AISH in the end. 
 
At the start of 2023, The Alberta government re-indexed AISH to inflation and raised AISH by 6%. They also set up 6 months of $100/month Affordability payments for people on AISH, social assistance, and those seniors and children whose family income is less than $180,000/year. AACT members wanted to say thank you to the government of Alberta, but also share some of their concerns about the AISH program and its policies. In early February, AACT sent the following letter to the Premier, Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister and head of AISH:
 

"Albertans Advocating for Change Together, a provincial network of people with developmental disabilities and their allies, wants to thank the Alberta government for their recent decision to re-index AISH and income supports to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This action recognizes the very important and unanimous decision of MLAs in 2018 to index these important measures to the rate of inflation. Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jeremy Nixon said, “This is not going to just deal with inflation today, but as we move forward, we’re going to make sure that these folks don’t slowly end up in a situation where things become unaffordable for them. We’re going to help them keep up.” Unfortunately, the amount does not consider what was lost to inflation in 2019 through 2021. The short-term addition of $100/month for the next 6 months, while helpful now, will return people on social assistance to the same situation when it ends.

AISH and Inflation. The increase of AISH from $1685/month set in January 2019 to $1787/month in January 2023 is an increase of 6.05% (or $102/month). Yet, inflation between 2019 and 2022 is estimated by various inflation calculators as 12.59% (Bank of Canada), 11.63% (www.in2013dollars.com), 12.79% (January 2019 – May 2022 in Edmonton at www.cupe.ca/cpi-calculator) and 13.93% (January 2019 – May 2022 in Calgary at www.cupe.ca/cpi-calculator), all based on CPI.

Even looking only at inflation from October 2021 – October 2022, CPI increased by 6.88%, according to the Bank of Canada inflation calculator. This means that the buying power of people relying on AISH will be significantly less than what it was in January 2019, or even in October 2021. It is clear that the increase will not help people with disabilities keep up, as Minister Nixon suggested, but merely put them less behind than they were.

While inflation the past year in Alberta has averaged 6.8%, many essential items for people with disabilities that are part of the CPI have become more expensive. For instance, the cost of gas and electricity increased 13.6% and food costs increased 10.3%. Anyone requiring a special diet to maintain health pays more than CPI uses in its market-basket measure. For instance, gluten-free bread at Walmart costs about $5, compared with regular bread at $1.67. Lactose-free milk at Walmart costs about $6 for 2-liters compared with $4.27 for regular milk.

In the past 3 year(s), use of the food banks in Alberta has increased 73%. And in the last year, it has increased 34%, indicating that greater food insecurity is a result of income not keeping up with inflation in Alberta.  We also expect a diesel shortage soon, which will affect shipping of food and other goods to Alberta consumers and help maintain or increase costs.

Cost of housing is up an average of 6.7%, although the average cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Calgary has gone from $1228 to $1514 between September 2021 and September 2022, an increase of 23%. Those people who have rent and utilities combined into one payment may or may not be protected from the higher rate of inflation of utilities. Those who live in subsidized/community housing pay no more than 30% of their income for basic housing but it does not include utilities.

The upcoming monthly AISH increase of $102 should result in a rent increase in community housing of $31, which leaves $71 more to spend on utilities, food, transportation, medications not covered by AISH and other necessities. The CPI does not include some common costs for people with disabilities, such as repairs to wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment, or replacements to glasses within a year if broken, lost or a prescription changes. Both AISH and Aids to Daily Living have limits on how much and how often (usually once a year) they will help with these expenses. It is hard to participate in community life without these essentials.

Transit costs in Calgary and Edmonton will stay the same as last year, thanks to support from the province. Transit prices in Lethbridge will remain the same but the City is changing all the payment methods, requiring credit cards for payments, which many individuals with disabilities do not have.

Smaller communities may not have public transit systems. Some have a disabled transit system with a sliding scale based on the distance traveled. For instance, Stettler has an Access/Handi-bus transit system with a monthly card for $60/month that allows 11 rides. Each ride used is marked by a hole punch in the card. However, a one-way ride from Erskine to Stettler is three hole punches (or $16.36 each direction), limiting transportation available to individuals in these communities.

The bottom line is that the increase in AISH is not enough for the government to address the affordability crisis being experienced by Albertans with disabilities and bring them up to the level of poverty they had in January 2019. Could this shortfall be addressed by making the affordability payments permanent for people on forms of social assistance?

Punitive Policy. Like other Albertans, citizens with disabilities recognize that the government of Alberta does not have an endless supply of money to address all of the needs of everyone. However, there are some policies in the AISH (and income support) program that feel particularly punishing and would cost the government little to change.

At present, people with disabilities who are able to work sometimes, but cannot regularly earn enough money to live on, are allowed to keep the first $1072 of their monthly wages without losing any of their AISH income. After that, 50% of any additional employment earnings are deducted from AISH until the AISH payment drops to $0.

At that point, AISH provides only medical and some personal benefits. Compared to most other provinces, this is a generous system allowing those who can work to better their financial position and rise out of poverty. Note that just under 17% of individuals on AISH reported any employment earnings during April – October 2022.

The AISH handbook states that “you and your spouse or partner must apply for all other income you may be eligible for, such as Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D), employment insurance (EI) or Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) benefits” (emphasis ours). If the individual is approved for these benefits, any money the individual gets from these sources will be deducted dollar-for-dollar from their AISH benefit amount leaving them with the same amount of income (or less) than if they had not gotten those benefits. We have been told by government sources that the reason that these income sources are non-exempt (i.e., clawed back from AISH dollar-for-dollar) is because they are taxable.

The basic monthly payment amount for CPP-D is $524.64 with additional amounts paid based on the individual’s CPP contribution while employed. (The average payment is $1070.40 with a maximum payment of $1464.83.) If a person on AISH and CPP-D received the basic amount of $524.64, their AISH amount would be reduced by $524.64 leaving them with a total income of $1787 (i.e., $2311.64 - $524.64) starting in January 2023. Yet, when tax time came around, they would have to pay taxes on the $524.64, potentially leaving them with less than the $1787 each month that they would have had if they had not applied for CPP-D. It is not surprising that CPP-D income is only reported by 22% of those using AISH.

The situation with EI feels even less fair. Individuals on AISH who are able to earn some employment income develop budgets based on the combination of AISH and employment income. If they lose their job, they will have a hole in their budget and risk not having enough money for their home, utilities and other essentials. Money from EI will only partially fill that hole temporarily, but if clawed back dollar-for-dollar from AISH leaves them with only the AISH amount, and not even that if they must also pay tax on the EI earnings. We believe that EI should be treated the same as employment earnings, with the first $1072 exempt and 50% clawback of any amount above that. We base our position on the fact that money received as EI was paid into EI by the individuals and employer while they were employed out of their employment earnings. It is their money from employment, even though they only get it after they leave the job.

There is one final consideration that makes this policy feel unfair, and that is the amount of effort required to apply for CPP-D and EI. People avoid applying for EI and CPP-D because of a combination of the impact of the AISH clawbacks and the wasted energy. Completing the paperwork requirements of these programs takes a lot of time.

For CPP-D, the individual must complete the 26-page application form (including instructions that are not in plain language) and have a doctor complete a 9-page medical form (with an additional 5 pages of instructions). Individuals must supply the government with all of the documentation, only to lose any benefit of CPP-D if they get it.

To apply for EI requires completion of a multi-page online document, that includes having additional documents and a MyCRA identity. If the individual does not have an up-to-date device and must use public computers to complete the process, this situation becomes very difficult and time-consuming and puts their personal information at risk.

Forms and instructions require a level of skill, access and human support that many people with disabilities may not have. The stress involved in completing these forms increases the stress that the individual is already experiencing due to loss of a job, in the case of EI, and does not consider the impact of the disability that made them successful candidates for AISH in the first place.

Inflation has helped create an affordability crisis for many Albertans in general. Any social assistance clawback that leaves people in poverty feels unethical. Premier Danielle Smith has said, “As a province, we can't solve this inflation crisis on our own. But due to our strong fiscal position and balanced budget, we can offer substantial relief so Albertans and their families are better able to manage through this storm.”

Treating EI and CPP-D the same as employment income could be an additional measure that costs Alberta little or nothing (given the savings in AISH worker time), but leaves people with more money in the bank.

We believe that if you want people not to be in poverty, let them keep the money they should be entitled to. Would you be willing to work with us to develop a set of rules that allows more people with disabilities to be lifted out of poverty?

Sincerely,

Members of Albertans Advocating for Change Together"
 
Here is what Alberta self-advocates said would make AISH work better at an AACT Town Hall on AISH, November 30, 2020.
 
Here is a video of an NDP press conference in which two people who get AISH speak up. Slide the timeline forward to get past the "please wait" message at the start of the recording:
 
We think it is important for people in Alberta, including those in government, to understand how AISH works and why it is important to people with disabilities. Here are some myths about AISH and how they are wrong:
 
Myth #1: It is easy to get AISH so people apply even if they do not need it.
 
The truth is that it is hard to get on AISH. The application form for the individual is 11 pages of small print. The step-by-step guide for filling out the form is 36 pages long. You must also have a form from a doctor that gives your medical details. The form the doctor completes is 9 pages long. The step-by-step guide to help the doctor fill out the form is 18 pages long. The guide to the AISH program is another 33 pages and tells you the rules and what is covered. In addition to the application, there is other paperwork you need to give the government to support your application. Sometimes you need to go for additional testing by professionals, like a psychology, which may cost you money. This testing may take as many as 18 hours (or more). That does not include travel time and overnight stays in a large city. You need to prove that you do not have too many assets (cash, investments, property and vehicles). If your disability is life-long, you probably have very little savings and no property. People who became disabled later in life may have to sell assets or spend them on living expenses before they can get AISH. You need to provide documents for all income that you rece3ive. If you are married, the AISH program also needs information about their income and assets (and a recent photo of your spouse as well as a recent photo of yourself). Once you send all of this informaiton to the government, it takes them some months to go through it all before they decide if you qualify and can get AISH. They may say no and then you have to go through more time and paperwork for the appeal process.
 
 
Myth #2: People on AISH are a drain on the Alberta economy.
 
Having enough money to live on through AISH reduces the amount of money that the government must spend on Health and Mental Health services, services related to homelessness, and the Justice system when people must steal or engage in other illegal activity in order to meet basic needs. It also reduces the need for community members to support charities like Food Banks, and social services that address various health, mental health and support needs. People on AISH already need and use those services, but the need would be even greater if it were not for AISH and other government-funded supports. 
 
Another thing to consider is that nearly every cent of the money that people get as AISH is spent in Alberta, most within a few kilometers of where the person lives. It is hard for anyone on AISH to save up money for a vacation to another province or another country.

A final thing to think about is that most people on AISH contribute to our communities in a variety of ways. They create art for us to enjoy or be inspired by. They volunteer to help individuals and organizations when they have the time and energy. They provide emotional, and sometimes practical, support to friends and family so that they do not have to seek help from stretched community resources. They share their stories with the community and government to help create better understanding and greater compassion for diversity. They work with government and community organizations on problems to ensure that solutions are inclusive and the best possible for all Albertans.

 
Myth #3: It is easy to live on what AISH pays.
 
The basic amount AISH pays a single person each month will be raised to $1,787 at the start of January 2023, up 6% from $1,685 set in January 2019.There are also some medical costs covered separately. Only about 16% of the almost 70,000 people on AISH (less than 2% of the Alberta population) have any employment income to add to what they get from AISH. It is hard to make ends meet in Alberta on this amount, especially with inflation. The federal government set the CERB payments for people who lost their job during COVID-19 at $2000 as what they think is the minimum amount people need to live. The University of Calgary School of Public Policy says that rent for a single person in cheap shared housing (in the lowest 20% of 3-bedroom rentals for price shared with 2 roommates) ranged from $287 - $527 a month in Alberta a few years ago, depending on where you live. Groceries cost from $407 - $450 a month, depending on where you live. Now add the cost of transportation, utilities (heat, lights, water, phone, Internet) and disability-related necessities (e.g., medication co-pays, OTC meds like aspirin, assistive device repairs). For those who see Internet as a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have, access to services during a pandemic has taught us that that thinking is wrong. People should also have insurance on their belongings (i.e., renter's insurance) if they do not own their home. Home owners will not have rental costs, but will need to cover property taxes, insurance and maintenance/repairs. Now try to build in costs to prevent or deal with social isolation, which is very important for mental health. Have you run out of money in your budget yet? You may have savings to dip into in a bad month, but what if you have no savings or your savings run out?
 
Myth #4: AISH amounts are generous.
 
People in government like to say that AISH is the "most generous" of disability income support programs in Canada. Most people hear that statement as meaning that AISH is generous, and that is a myth.There are three things that influence whether AISH is "most generous:"
  1. How much does the program give people in terms of money or payment of expenses?
  2. How much can a person earn without it being clawed back by the program?
  3. What is the basic cost of living (e.g., poverty line) in that part of Canada?

It is very hard to compare the programs in all 10 provinces and 3 territories of Canada. Their websites are not always clear and some places pay for things like people's utilities and rent directly instead of giving the amount to the person to pay for those things themselves. The Maytree Foundation Welfare in Canada report is a good source of information and we used it when we could not find better information. Thanks so much to Margaret Ireland who did the initial work finding and interpreting information on the various provincial and territorial programs. The table below shares our answers to the three questions above:

Please note that the Allowed Earnings before Clawback column does not say anything about the amount of what is earned above that you can keep. Sometimes what you get on income assistance depends on the community you live in, because some places are more expensive than others. The Cost of Living column also reflects this with the Market Basket Measure (MBM) of poverty varying between big cities and smaller towns. As a result, where a person ends up at the end of the month without a job is a range, not a single dollar figure. For more details on the programs and clawback rates, you can look at the more detailed version of this table and the links to the sources.

So is Alberta's AISH program the most generous? In terms of the amount of money provided, only the Northwest Territories and Yukon provide more. In terms of the amount of money that can be earned while on disability income assistance, only BC comes close to Alberta. However, generosity must also take expenses or cost of living into account. In this case, Manitoba's Employment and Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities program results in a smaller monthly shortfall ($104 - $316) than Alberta's ($185 - $330) AISH program. There may also be a few people in the Northwest Territories that could come out ahead at the end of the month, but the way the program structures its payments makes that unlikely.

The bottom line is that while the Alberta government's rules on earning money while on AISH are indeed the "most generous" in Canada, AISH payments on their own are insufficient to meet basic living expenses and, therefore, could not meet a reasonable person's definition of "generous," particularly given the added financial burden of disability and the low percentage of Albertans on AISH with any regular earned income.

Past News 

We were very happy when the government passed a law that makes AISH go up when the cost of living goes up. Albertans with disabilities would no longer have to use their limited energy to keep their standard of living from going down when costs rise. But the new UCP government changed its mind. The budget for 2020 de-indexed AISH and there were be no planned cost of living increases for the next 4 years. We sent a letter of protest on October 25, 2019 to the Minister of Community & Social Services. Here is what was in our letter:

We hope you will write letters to let the government know how de-indexing affects you and what your living expenses are like now. Let them know how your costs are going up and how it affects you. Also contact your MLA and ask to meet. Click here for what you can do to prepare to have a good meeting with government.


There are still other problems with the AISH system that need to be fixed. Sometimes the rules are hard to understand or information is mis-leading. If you have problems with AISH, please contact the Disability Advocate office and ask for help. Call 1-800-272-8841 for free or email advocate.disability@gov.ab.ca
 
April 6, 2017

Letter from David Morhart, Deputy Minister, Community and Social Services


I am pleased to let you know that Community and Social Services is implementing an AISH Action Plan to improve the AISH program and the appeals process. It outlines our response to the Alberta Auditor General’s October 2016 report, which provided three recommendations to ensure Albertan’s have a better experience when applying for, or receiving supports from AISH. It also demonstrates our commitment to ensuring government programs provide Albertans supportive, consistent experiences that focus on a person’s needs over time.

We’ve launched a web page for the AISH Action Plan. It features a video message from Community and Social Services Minister Irfan Sabir, an overview of the activities underway and planned, as well as the AISH Action Plan in PDF.  I encourage you to visit alberta.ca/aish-action-plan.aspx to learn more and follow our progress as we implement changes that will make a difference to Albertans.

--Message from AACT

We wish that everybody who has problems with AISH did not have them. Thank you to those who write in to tell us about the problems they have had with AISH. We do not have staff or other resources to help individuals advocate with AISH staff. The Voices of Albertans with Disabilities group has people who can help you with AISH forms. All we can do is post your comments with your experience on our website. We encourage you to share your stories with the Ministry while they are looking at how to change AISH to make it better.

We find out things when we talk to each other about AISH. Here is what we found out at our July 2012 meeting. Click on the box in the bottom right corner to make the video bigger.


AISH covers the same medications as Blue Cross. Pharmacists have a list of those medications. If your medication is not on that list, ask your doctor to write a letter for you to take to AISH to see if they will cover the costs of that medication. You will still have to pay the pharmacy dispensing fee if they charge one.

AISH Online Policy Manual

Click here to find out about what services and supports you can access from AISH. 

All over Alberta, self-advocacy groups work to raise AISH. We got a raise. Now we need the government to say that AISH will go up whenever the cost of living goes up.

Click on the images below to find out more.

Take the AISH Challenge



Postcard to MLAs about AISH

60 comments:

  1. I applied for AISH benefits in November 2011, yes, 2011! Two weeks ago I was finally notified, and only because I called them, that my application was approved. In the 19 months that this has been ongoing it has been an absolute nightmare. My Dr.s are so fed up they just can't believe it. At any rate, my father just told me this this week that he has a small bequest for me that was left by my Grandmother many, many years ago. He had put it into an interest bearing account and it is finally coming due. Am I going to have to declare this small amount to my AISH worker? It just seems so unfair after waiting for so long, and borrowing so much money from my family. This amount would almost pay back my outstandind debt to my family. What are your thoughts? I don't want to get into trouble, and certainly am not a cheating type. I'm just frustrated.

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    1. as of now, 2017, not sure about past, you are allowed an inheritance up to $200,000 in your bank account. however, you won't qualify for certain extra benefits, such as say orthotics when more than $3000 is in your account. but if you apply to revenue canada for a disability tax credit (even though you may not have to pay taxes) you then can open an RDSP. Any money in your Registered Disability Savings Plan is an exempt asset, there may be a limit of $200,000 on it not sure.

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    2. DeeDee, I checked the AISH Policy Manual (the link is listed above on this page) and the asset limit is still only $100,000, NOT $200,000.

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  2. If the account is in your father's name and is not held in trust for you, the money is not yours until he gives it to you. You could suggest that he apply the money to your outstanding debt to your family. As long as the money is not in your name (i.e., a trust account) and you never have the money in your hand, it is never actually yours. You cannot declare what was never yours.

    If, on the other hand, the account is in your name or is a trust account for you, you officially have control and must declare it. It will affect your AISH only in the month you get it. You can give back to your family the amount you do not need to live on. This information comes from Section 2 and Tables 1-3 in http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2007_091.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779764563&display=html.

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  3. If you look at the AISH income chart at http://www.seniors.alberta.ca/aish/PolicyManual/Policy/Income/Income_Categories_Table_(April_2013)-Non-economic_Loss.pdf which is more recent than the above link you will see that both cash gifts and inheritances are exempt income. The only way you are not exempt is if you invest it and make money off of it. That is only partially exempt so some of that will come off your AISH in the month that you earn it. You are also allowed up to $100 000 in assets (your primary residence and primary vehicle and adapted vehicles are exempt) so if it is a small amount you don't have to stress over it unless you have a lot of assets (and seeing how it took so long for you to get AISH I doubt this is th case). I know how you feel though (well almost). It took 10 months for mine and I had to live on $809 a month on SFI for that time. Needless to say I am pretty badly in debt to my family too and all my back payments will pretty much be taken up by that. But at least now my income will cover my bills (barely but it will if I am careful).

    Anyways you take care and good luck to you! Hopefully things will get better for you!

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  4. Hi was wondering if I could get help I applied for aish in 2012 after I severely injured my back and my doctor filled out medical yet I wasnt approved applied for an appeal that I jad to cancel my hearing after my dr left I found a new dr who sent me to a bunch of specialists I barely can walk due to pain everyday no matter what I do I struggle to do things getting frustrated I applied for school I want to atleast try and get a little education so I can wrk a job even if its part time but I keep getting into money trouble cus I dont have money to pay for living welfare said I wasnt eligible for sfi yet I cannot work it got so bad in 2013 I lost my home and my car was homeless and try to get help and get turned away at every corner I had to move to grande prairie to get help with thier homeless initiative got a home last fall started going to school as a disabled student but I have to pay for all my meds and barely making it by welfare wont help cus im in school but yet aish still in effect for my classmates who r on it idk what to do I wish I could find someone who could help me with this stuff because I feel lost and drowning in paper getting told that im not disabled enough for aish even though I have doctors that say I cant work and I know I cant I do not have education to work in anything either

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    1. I hope u are succeeding now. Have you been able to get aish or other help .

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  5. I understand from AISH that there is a backlog. Still, you need to talk to AISH and find out what they need for your file to be complete. Treat "getting on AISH" as your job. Do what you can do each day to get your file complete and up to date. Ask the AISH worker what you need to have so that you can succeed at getting on AISH as soon as possible. If a doctor needs to use certain words that AISH recognizes in their report , find out what the words are and talk to the doctor so she or he knows what must go in the report. Be polite, just as you would to any boss, and just as you want to be treated yourself. Good luck.

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  6. I was diagnosed with MS in dec 2012 and was paralyzed on my right side I applied in that same month for aish. June 2013 I was denied and in that same month I appealed. Dec 2013 was my appeal date and after pouring my heart out, I get a letter January 2014 stating I was still denied. On january 28th I had another doctor appointment and she was furious! She filled out paper work again in great detail. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Then I phoned aish on feb 26 to see if they received it and they said I was approved feb 18. I phoned my doctor to thank her and she said my paperwork was still in her office!!! I am so confused as to why they all of a sudden approved me. The aish lady said that if I was approved in december they would of had to back pay me since january... was aish just being cheap and waiting until the new year to payout? My fiancé, daughter and I live with my parents because going from $2500 to $0 a month hurts! I'm happy im on aish finally but the amount of debt accumulated is not allowing us into a house. They wont even give me a reason why I was approved!

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  7. I applied for AISH back in May 2013, after being denied in January 2014, I appealed and was approved on February 28th. When I spoke with AISH on March 10th, 2014 (after receiving a letter from the appeal board saying the file had been closed because I had been approved) I was told it would take about a month to have my interview with a commencement worker, but it is April 16, 2014 and I have yet to have my interview. I have been waiting for about a month and a half so far.

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    1. Do not wait anymore. Call the AISH office and tell them you would like to set up the interview they promised would take place. Be polite and tell them you are trying to help them.

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  8. I won my appeal on December 4, 2014. My commencement was booked for January 16, 2015. On January 12/15, the worker requested over a years worth of bank statements, pay stubs from all the jobs for November 2013 to present, and amounts received from welfare. On January 15/15, she cancelled the commencement for January 16/15 because I couldn't get her a pay stub for a temp job of 15 days. I don't know what to do. I'm in a desperate situation and needed that income. She stated it would be done when she has all the info to calculate my claim. Is it possible for me to at least receive the monthly funds, and the lump sum to be calculated when all the information is received?

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    1. revenue canada will have a copy of that pay stub if it was claimed by the employer

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  9. Hello. I have been on AISH from September 2006 and I am working with an agency to help me find housing. I am having a problem with this worker because she is trying to control my AISH benefits. Ive dealt with lots of workers like this person. But she is refusing to work with me unless she can control me. I am a victim and I am homeless. I want to know where I can make a complaint about her and another worker. I want to know what you think and what I could do? Thankyou.

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  10. I'd like someone to contact me . I applied for aish and it took one month they denied me . I have a nerv disorder and am severely depressed . Please help someone I don't want to get cut off my benifits from pwmb
    is there a number I can call ?

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    1. Google AISH advocates in your city. There is a group that also works out of legal guidance . they may help also. Best of luck .

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  11. How long does it usually take to revive benefits and can I still be on income support while waiting ?

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  12. Please will someone contact me.. I am having troubles with AISH. Was denied once, appealed, denied yet again. I am re-applying for AISH and truly need some help. I really appreciate it!!!

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  13. Apply again. Get medical documentation from doctors, appeal if denied. Keep reapplying until approved .good luck .

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  14. I have recently applied for Aish and have had Cronic renal failure I have been on Canada pension disability since 2001 was wondering if the fact I've been disabled within the definition of c p p will speed up my claim or if anyone can give me an idea how long I can expect to wait to hear from the programme rep thanks

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    1. you can not be on both cpp and aish, unless one pays more in which case you would get the difference added.

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  15. I applied for AISH about 6 months ago. They sent me the forms for my doctor about a week after I applied and I had my doctor sign them right away but I haven't heard from them since.

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  16. I applied for AISH about 6 months ago and got the form about a week later. After getting it filled out and sent I never heard back from them and don't know if I should contact them about it or not

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  17. I have been submitted my financial report with my spouse and my complete medical reports just recently, April 20 to be exact. How long I have been my waiting time to the approval of my application to AISH? Thanks for the reply

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  18. I applied for Aish and need to know where it's at. It's very important that I hear soon. It literally will determine if I get better or not. Contact me at rjoyvandenberg@hotmail.ca

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    1. It took me about three months to get an answer I will say they were fair about it and made the payments retro active to the day I applied

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  19. Ive been dealing with the Calgary branch since the 1st week of January. My first social worker disappeared and didn't pass information about his clients was 1 problem. Second was next when they filed me as a new applicant when I'm not.
    3rd the pack pay they left out 5 months because of problems 1 and 2. Its hard enough living with a disability i'd assume they're job is to help. I think i could of managed this better.

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  20. Today I had an OH so lovely chat with the person covering for my usual worker. I'm a trans woman, and as such, I have a deeper voice than some expect. So first thing this substitute does is call me a liar about my identity. Then she proceeds to berate me about going to a doctor in a nearby town, that's 93km from the town I live in, because I want competent care for my particular health issues. The local doc wanted to treat me as her pet science project & worse, ignored my very real health concerns & further, made it VERY clear that I would only get care that she deemed "appropriate" (AKA no prescriptions or care related to being trans). SO instead of going to that person, I went to someone else to see if they'd treat me as a person with legitimate health issues, or as someone to be shunned.

    Well the AISH person was excessively rude when I mentioned that I wanted competent treatment. Apparently THAT isn't among the services they'll help cover...

    Leslea
    Coronation, Ab.

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  21. It's been a year dealing with applying with aish I just went for my physiological assessment suffer from intense mental health and physical health I'm not sure what's gonna happen now I was asked to do the assessment because I was denied. Not sure what to do now or how long I'll have to wait

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  22. I have a question maybe someone would be good enough to answer why does the Aish benifits end when a person reaches the age of 65? Does the Alberta governed think the dissabilty goes away at that age? Thank you

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  23. I was wondering why does the Aish program cease when a person reaches the age of 65 does the provincial government think the disability goes away at that age what happens to a person after that how can they survive on old age security at about one quarter of the monthly income does anyone know? Please advise this lost soul thanks

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  24. I have been waiting for approval for almost 2yrs.constantly denied, even though psychologist and doctors say I should be on aish, I have a permanent brain injury from stroke or seizure. I have no memory short and long term. Ataxia. Speech problems. Right side effects. Not able to multi task. Brain overwhelmed with to much information. To much noise, visual, my brain shuts down. I have a appeal coming up, I've done everything they ask for and more. If this doesn't work I'm at the point of I've had enough. Go and live homeless. Surviving only with family help and a housing program and Alberta Works, this is ending this month. All professionals can not understand why either.

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  25. I have been denied my appeal.I have seen 6 to 8 doctors all but 1 have agreed my spine is damaged. But because of 1 doctor that I spent 9.5 hours with doing his mental tests even on my knees on his floor,because my back was so sore. Which he did NOT put in his report, stating it's a mental issue. I have had surgery to remove fibroids to try and take pressure off my spine which did not help. I went to the pain clinic only to be told I need to see the 3 pain specialists but they are not taking appointments till after November December. Which from there could take another 6 plus months to get into. 4 out of 5 of my appeals were postponed because the Asia rep didn't have all my medical papers. And on final appeal everything discussed was all about the mental issues and not taking antidepressants. Even my family doctors words were flipped around. I'm am so mad because I have and am still doing everything that is requested and it's still not good enough.

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  26. I applied for Aish in June 2016..Was denied Sept 29th 2016..I was born with an underdeveloped L lung and trachea stenosis. .also gave asthma..Should I appeal? ?

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  27. I was just denied. I have mental heath issues. I take medication, it stops me from being suicidal but that wasnt why i applied for Aish anyway. They told me that because I was recieving treatment, then I wasnt eligiable.

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    Replies
    1. don't give up. call them and ask questions, then do what they tell you. I was denied and just got accepted. It's hard, but don't give up. Yes, I'm in the same condition as you.

      Delete
  28. My aunty is applying to aish and the question she doesnt know how to answer is the one where it asks what is your primary illness. She is currently suffering from more than one illness

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  29. I applied for aish in November of last year, received a letter today , Jan.13 saying I was denied. In 2009 underwent a bone marrow transplant because of mds, I went back to work and ended up quiting my job back in Jan, 2012, after nearly 11 years there. Not because I wanted to but because I was so worn down, being sick, getting wrote up for time I was unable to work. My immune system is such that I really shouldnt have been working in the first place. I was denied AISH for lack of evidence of this.I have been so depressed, diagnosed as such, on medication and sleeping pills, lost my independence, living with my children, who have children and spouses. My doctor doesnt want me around children because of my lack of immunity. I will be appealing AISH, but dont have alot of hope. Any advice would be welcome, thank you.

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  30. I am a single parent on aish, Dec 22 2016 my son turned 18 and is 6 months away from graduating grade 12 I am not receiving child support and was cut off child tax- family allowance in Dec as my son turned 18 so supporting my son on $100 a month from aish, I was told by MLA to take him to social services when I called income support- social services was told he does not qualify as he is in school full time..So he is expected to quit school 6 months before graduating grade 12 we live in a community of 115 people so getting a job here to support himself until school is done is not an option! He has disabilities as well diagnosed young with attention deficit disorder, oppositional defiant ECT and has really tried hard to get to grade 12 now is supposed to quit school 6 months before he graduates to support himself???

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  31. hi every one looking to join this group i am on AISH and looking to find out what the full payments really are as i think i am not getting full payments

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  32. my son applied for AISH in Apr 2016. he still hasnt heard back from them

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  33. I am just wondering what a home visit entails? can they open drawers? can they go into parts of the house that I don't live in? I rent a room.. so will they just come into my room? and can go through my drawers and clothes? I don't understand.

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  34. After over 9 months i finally got approved and will be backpaid. I have not met up with the worker assigned yet. I have been on cpp disability and a small amount from a pension... which turns out would be about the same amount i would get from aish anyway since they deduct dollar for dollar.. i am ok with that. My concern is this... i do have some unlocked pension money that i was drawing from... but my initial application showed the statement of this pension money but was not unlocked at that time ( I did not know i could unlock any).. Now i am concerned that i will lose it all or have to live off of it until there is no more before aish kicks in... what should i do? should i remove it and reinvest in RRSP. I also read if you have an asset you have 30 days to reinvest in another asset... is this what that means? Please someone shed some light?

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  35. after a long wait, i received a courtesy call i got approved and it will be backpaid. During this time, i have been on cpp disability and was drawing from a company pension. the amt i would be getting from aish would be this amt since they deduct dollar for dollar.. i am ok with this. However, I have more in the unlocked portion of this pension, and i did not know at the time of the application that i could do this... and did not know if i was going to be approved or not. I have not met with my worker yet.. still have not received the actual letter. My concern is that I will be forced to continue to use the rest of the unlocked pension money before i get aish... or worse, get revoked. I want to do the right thing but dont want to lose my money i worked so hard for all my life! should i take it out and put into rrsp? I am so confused and need guidance asap.. anyone out there that can help?

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  36. My question concerns AISH retroactive payments for new recipients. I found out today that my application was finally approved subsequent to my appeal process.
    I first applied for benefits in July of 2016, then received a denial of benefits on January 13th of this year. I sent in the appeal form and AISH claims they received that one month later, on February 13th. Then I waited several months and met with the appeal panel on June 26th, and then 17 days later I was approved for benefits. Now I'm told that I'll have to wait another 8 - 10 weeks before I can meet with a worker and set up an AISH account. Can anyone tell me the commencement date at which my payments should start (i.e. how far back my retroactive pay goes)? I've read the legislation and, to put it mildly, they don't do a good job of making it clear. Will they calculate my payments from the date I first applied for AISH, the date I first appealed, the date my appeal was accepted, or something else?

    Thank you.

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  37. I didn't receive my aish cheque was suppost to get it July 26th I'm from Calgary Alberta I'm Robert labelle

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  38. Am looking for a good doctor in NW Calgary that could help with the AISH process as the doctor that has been working with us has moved. Any suggestions

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  39. Hi my name is Terry Podetz I am 30 years old I was a ward of the government as a PGO status until I was 18 but during that time I lived in SIX foster homes and FOUR group homes my first foster home fought me drinking milk from my bowl and told me if I want to eat like an animal I can eat with them they took my spoon away and poorer me a new bowl and put it beside the dogs dish! I was 4 or 5. I have been rejected and both physically and emotionally abused my whole life with very few people who showed me love!
    I have been on AISH a while now I live in the place that all my child hood problems started back with my mom who gave me away. I have chronic degenerative disc disease, PTSD, chronic anxity and depression along with anger management issues!
    I have been trying to get a thyripist or councillor for the past seven years along with some physical rehabilitation.
    I have been sick since December of last year i was proscribed antibiotics for 10 days for five months?? Starting in January and ended in May.
    I have tried every program in calgary to get into a better living situation for ten years I have moved a couple of times in a shared living situation and keep ending up back to where I am stressed I can't think I am so angry I am scared to talk to my case worker Erin because she is extremely judgemental and very discriminative and has the audacity to make judgments like if Terry is yelling at someone he is obviously okay there is no reason to worry about him his okay as long as he is still breathing there is nothing to worry about and he just enjoys yelling at people?? For any person that works with mental health or physical disabilities to make claims like this should definitely not be working for the people because obviously they don't have a moral compass because they would rather make judgments and tell me oh we don't have any funding to help people in your situation get help because you live in a great home you're stressed you've lost 50 pounds over 10 months you're always angry so obviously you live in a good home where you are safe and there is nothing to worry about!!??
    I have emailed document proof along with some audio and video proof of how aish on the system has told me a person who has cleaned up his life for 10 years on as Queen of street drugs to go and live homeless for a minimum of 6 months before they will even look at trying to help me get into my own place??
    All of these programs and government websites glorify how much funding these programs have because of Rachel notley making sure there's funding to community programs like a Canadian mental health Alberta mental health and Alberta Health but yet a mass majority of the programs only offer group services not Individual Services?? I recently called my age worker and informed her that I have recently been in contact with my late father's family and that I feel I would get more support from them with social suports. My dads family live in Ontario so i looked into the AISH websit and found put that if you live in a situation that is a risk of any sort that they will help pay for the move either within province or in Canada I called Erin and left a message about this in for mation but am scared to talk to her or her supervisors because they tell me because I am addicted to pharmaceutical mood stabilizers that I got my self off of without help from a Dr or thyripist and went on medical marijuana licenced by the government that obviously I don't want help because I worn take the mood stabilizers and if I want to go back to school or need acupuncture massage therapy therapist psychologist or counselor I have to pay for it out of my own $1588 a month.

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  40. My roommate applied for AISH in May 2017 , in October 26th he was told that his application was denied (after seeking help with Voice of Albertans with Disability) he filed an appeal on Nov.2nd because he found out that the rejection of his file was due to a mistake his Doctor made on the application he checked the Moderate box under status of condition instead of sever. His Doctor had to write a letter to explain the extent and severity of his condition (at a $50 cost) and after turning his papers in for the appeal on the Friday Nov 17th(3 weeks before the board of appeal meeting date Dec 8th) They called him on Nov 20th ( the following Monday) to tell him he was approved for Aish and someone would call him to schedule an appointment to go sign his papers. They called him on Nov 22nd to schedule the signing date to Nov. 28th and was told that he would be back paid from not from May5th (date of the original application) but Nov. 2nd (date the appeal was filed ) That does not seem fair . Is that a Tactic from Aish to cut expenses??? Deny on the first application and if appealed and accepted. then only back pay from the appeal date even when it was a genuine clerical error on the application that a simple letter from the Doctor explaining his mistake cause the file to be approved in 2 days.

    Please someone tell me it's not right and what should he do if there is a possible recourse for this situation

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  41. I would like to highlight few points which might help to make aware AISH management. This is regarding my sister which is diagnose with mild mental retardation.She is already approved for PDD, So I believe AISH has also understand her disability severity.
    I have applied to AISH in Jan 2017 and have been rejected as I sponsor her. She is landed immigrant and has PR. AISH office just keep arguing about sponsorship agreement. Normally we fill out sponsorship agreement when we do the sponsorship application which I did in year 2009. Finally immigration application has approved in Oct 2016. When I did sponsorship agreement in year 2009, that time was different scenario for Employment opportunity, Market performance etc. Now we have hit by economic recession since 2016. In spite of all major certification. I have still not getting jobs.
    Its system failure where cannot able to create professional jobs. It is not fair with me as sponsor agreement signed in 2009 has reason not to provide AISH benefit to my sister in year 2018. Once should see the present circumstances, market performance etc. I am out from the job since last year and still not getting opportunity. If government failed to create jobs then what professional will do.Be honest sponsorship breakdown also not fair option with me because of same reason. There is limited professional job out in the market so I cant do much here.
    Bottom line is if sponsorship agreement done before 8 years its not reason not to provide benefits. Once should also assess present condition before reach to conclusion.

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  42. Today is April 24 2018. I have an appeal hearing today. This is after, are you ready for this?, 30 months waiting to get something done by AISH. It a ruined my credit being this broke, destroyted relationships because the poverty has been so depressing and one of my issues is severe depression. I have a severe heart condition that I'm told not to have any stress yet the places I have had to live because I couldn't afford anything else have just about killed me. I live in fear everyday that the lifestyle that I have been forced into is going to kill me before AISH ever gets approved if it ever does. I love my country, don't get me wrong but I didn't choose to be sick so I shouldn't be punished the way I have over the last 30 months.

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  43. The Alberta Ministry shocks me. They don't consider complete blindness a qualifying disability. My heart goes out to all of you who have shared your attempts at getting AISH. What those who deny us again and again don't seem to understand is the toll it takes on our lives to apply. How hard would it be to have a doctor, who understands AISH requirements be hired by the ministry to review medical files and visit with applicants about the qualifications. They should also hire someone who can help explain the process. They don't provide anything but a stack of papers and a quick to stamp fail process. It's not help- it turns us all into beggars of the system. Instead of realizing how to deal with our disabilities (in my case, my child's) we are forced to be stuck in this system of proving again and again how much the disability limits us. It's a discouraging place to be. Especially when a verdict of "not disabled enough" comes in the mail with no other support or suggestions for help like agencies or even a support group. It's a painful silent battle. It took us over 3 years to get approved for AISH and that came with disabling frustrations as we waited on doctors, burdened with our requests, and all the paper work what a nightmare. Seriously, I would rather wait a year for an appointment with the ministry, walk in with what details we had to a meeting there and be done with it. Not every family can handle the stress of this process. I consider myself a great advocate yet after 2 years of this process, I stood in an Alberta supports office with tears streaming down my face waiting for someone to care enough to help me help my daughter. Guess what happened? I got a case worker- WHY did it have to come to that? And why did my case worker have to work so hard for over a year to help me with that application process. Which still didn't get my daughter ANY backpay. Heartbreaking. I am still in shock that COMPLETE blindness since birth isn't considered a severe disability. There should be an automatic process with diagnosis in this country. Something has to change.

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  44. I have had an appeal in with aish fkr quite sometime. They asked me to get more documentation concerning ng disability my aish appeal is tomorrow and I finally after 10 month waiting period have appointment with a lhycolofist. They will not put the appeal on hold any longer and I do kor have any new I formation for them. What do you think my chances of them revefsi f their decision

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  45. I got refused aish I'm going to reapply

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  46. Hi every one who this the best person to reach out to to help with an appeal or even to understand what the denial letter means? I have fibromyalgia, PTSD , anxiety, depression, IBS and precancerous stomach cells. I can only work part time to casual as I am sick every damn day despite treatments etc. My doc is 100% behind me . I Feel so overwhelmed. Thanks in advance!

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  47. I recently got approved for aish . After 5 years of my injury. I had a very severe accident that left my dominant hand/arm with no feeling and no mobility and no strength . I first applied too wish about a year and a half after my injury , cause I was in hospital and doing rehab on my injury for a year and a half . My impairment Is still the same as the date I was injured too present ... I had two appeals . Was sick of fighting and appealing with them .. I finally got approved after and appeal hearing . The panel reversed the directors decision .. my concerned is will I get retroactive payments ??? And if so how far back will they go ? Or will they at all . I think they should go back too my injury date . Or at least the very first time I applied ?? Any help or insight will be greatly appreciated . Also they said it will take 2 mths+ for and aish worker to contact me ... Stressed out

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  48. I recently got approved for aish . After 5 years of my injury. I had a very severe accident that left my dominant hand/arm with no feeling and no mobility and no strength . I first applied too wish about a year and a half after my injury , cause I was in hospital and doing rehab on my injury for a year and a half . My impairment Is still the same as the date I was injured too present ... I had two appeals . Was sick of fighting and appealing with them .. I finally got approved after and appeal hearing . The panel reversed the directors decision .. my concerned is will I get retroactive payments ??? And if so how far back will they go ? Or will they at all . I think they should go back too my injury date . Or at least the very first time I applied ?? Any help or insight will be greatly appreciated . Also they said it will take 2 mths+ for and aish worker to contact me ... Stressed out

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  49. Hi there,
    This is for my son. He is 26. He has leg issue with walking, can't walk without support. He has finished his bachelor degree in Psychology and a diploma in accounting and payroll. He has finished his school about 2 years back. In 2019 he did apply for AISH and got rejected as because he has a good degree and he will have a job to survive. But last 2 yrs he did try, had a few interviews but no luck. He is dependent on me. He lives with me. He is approved from Access Calgary for transportation. Is a lawyer can be helpful to apply further? Please advise us thanks.

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  50. I received my final denial today in the mail after my appeal hearing. I have given up on my life and having a future. I will juat be another nameless and forgotten person living on the streets waiting for this hell to be over.

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  51. Aish allows someone to work and earn upwards of $1050 before any deductions are made. Yet Aish deducts dollar per dollar for CPPD payment. Ensuring those on disability, suffer without any chance of improving life. Only to be in a worse financial situation when Aish cuts a person off at age 65. Leaving that person with even less to live off after 65 .

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