AISH stands for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. It provides financial and health coverage and benefits for eligible residents in the province of Alberta who are living with a permanent medical condition that limits their ability to earn a living.
AISH requirements are based on criteria such as age, residence, financial situation, and medical condition.
Here’s a short guide on how to qualify for AISH in Alberta.
What is Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)?
The Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program provides financial and health benefits to eligible adult Albertans who live with a permanent medical condition that prevents them from earning a living.
If you're eligible for AISH, you may receive:
- A monthly living allowance (standard or modified)
- A monthly child benefit
- Assistance to cover health costs for you, a partner, and dependent children
- Extra funds for additional medical needs, like special diets or emergency assistance
AISH health benefits may include prescription drugs, diabetic supplies, optical and dental services, and emergency ambulance services.
AISH personal benefits may cover needs beyond the monthly living allowance or may need to be repaid.
You must demonstrate financial hardship, be ineligible for other programs, and meet the eligibility criteria for each benefit.
AISH benefits do not cover expenses while travelling outside of Alberta, nor will these be reimbursed.
What are the AISH requirements in Alberta?
To be eligible for AISH, you must have a permanent medical condition or disability that limits or prevents you from earning a living.
There are 3 categories of criteria you need to meet in order to qualify for AISH in Alberta – personal, medical, and financial.
Personal AISH requirements
- At least 18 years old and no older than 65 years old
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Resident of Alberta
- Not eligible to receive an Old Age Security pension
- Cannot live in a correctional facility or a mental health facility
AISH medical requirements
- Have a mental and/or physical impairment that is likely permanent
- The impairment is the main factor impeding your ability to earn a living
- No medical or rehabilitative treatment is likely to improve your ability to earn a living
- Applicant(s) will continue to look for and accept suitable employment
- Applicant(s) will utilize suitable training and rehabilitation efforts
You may need to demonstrate your continued need and eligibility for AISH at a later date.
AISH financial eligibility criteria
AISH considers your income as well as the combined assets or income for you and your partner. This information will be found on your income tax return.
If you currently have a job, you’re still eligible for AISH. Applicants are encouraged to keep working as much as feasible.
When you apply for AISH, you and your partner must also apply for other assistance programs, such as:
- Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D)
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) benefits
AISH considers the type and source of your income, exempt or non-exempt status, and whether you’re single or in a family when reviewing your finances and calculating a monthly AISH living allowance.
AISH income exemptions
You must report all sources of household income. Some exemptions are based on the source and type of income and other exemptions are for singles or families.
Exempt income sources do not impact your monthly AISH living allowance.
Exempt income includes:
- Cash gifts
- Income tax refunds
- RDSP and RRSP payments
- AISH and Alberta Seniors benefits
- Dependent child’s income
Non-exempt and partially exempt sources of income do impact your living allowance – they are subtracted from the monthly AISH amount.
For a full list of exemptions, see page 10 of Your Guide to AISH.
Non-exempt income includes:
- Spousal support payments
- CPP retirement pension
- CPP disability benefit
- CPP survivor’s pension
- CPP children’s benefits
- Employment insurance (EI) income
Partially exempt income includes:
- Income from an employer
- Income from a business
- Passive income
- Spousal income
Single income exemptions for AISH
Single income exemptions apply if:
- Applicant is single with no children
- Applicants are coupled, with no dependent children, and both are eligible for AISH
Single people can keep all income from exempt sources and some income from other sources, as such:
- Keep the first $1,072 from non-exempt and partially exempt sources
- Keep 50% of any amount above $1,072 up to $2,009
- Passive business income and spousal pension income is up to $300 fully exempt, and the remaining is 25% exempt
Family income exemptions for AISH
Family income exemptions apply if:
- Applicant is single with dependent children
- Applicants are coupled, with or without dependent children, but only 1 is eligible for AISH
- Applicants are coupled, with dependent children, and both are eligible for AISH
These people can keep all income from exempt sources and some incomes from other sources:
- Keep the first $2,612 from non-exempt and partially exempt sources
- Keep 50% of any amount above $2,612 and up to $2,981
- Passive business income and spousal pension income is fully exempt up to $875, and the remaining is 25% exempt
How to apply for AISH in Alberta
You’ll submit personal, medical, and financial information during the AISH application process.
For full instructions, see page 17 of Your Guide to AISH.
- Visit the Alberta government website to start your AISH application – you can also request a paper application.
- Ask your doctor to complete the AISH Medical Report form. You're responsible for any fees they may charge for this service, though you may be eligible to have this fee covered if you’re receiving Income Support.
- If you're a post-secondary student, you may be eligible for student disability grants while waiting for AISH.
- Gather all of the required documents and save copies for your own files.
- Submit the AISH application and supporting documents online, by fax, or by mail.
After you submit your AISH application, the Alberta Supports Contact Centre will send a notification when your application is received and complete. You will also be notified if your application is incomplete or if you are not eligible for AISH.
If your application is not approved, you’ll receive a letter explaining why you’re not eligible for AISH. This letter will also offer instructions for how to update your application if your situation changes, as well as instructions for how to appeal the decision.
If your application is approved, you’ll get a letter to confirm your eligibility. You'll then be contacted by phone or letter to schedule a meeting with an AISH worker. Your AISH benefits will be backdated to the month AISH received your documentation, which includes your Alberta Personal Health Card number, SIN, and other documents.
What to do if you’re moving to Alberta on Disability
Unlike federal disability programs, provincial benefits don’t move with you if you relocate to another province. If you're on Disability and moving to Alberta from another province, you'll have to follow these to apply or reapply for AISH:
- Notify your B.C. PWD benefits program of your move
- Get copies of your medical history from your doctor before you move
- Establish residence in Alberta and acquire proof of residence
- Get an Alberta driver’s license or ID from the nearest Alberta Registry Office
- Find a family doctor in Alberta
- Apply for AHCIP (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan) and get a health card
You need to live in Alberta for at least 183 days out of every 12 months to maintain residence.
FAQ
Who is eligible for AISH in Alberta?
There are a few AISH requirements that include age, residency, medical, and financial criteria. If you meet these criteria, you may be eligible for AISH amd receive a monthly allowance, child benefit, and other assistance.
What disabilities qualify for AISH?
The AISH medical requirements include having a mental and/or physical impairment that affedcts your ability to earn a living. Applicants are still required to look for suitable employment and must undergo training and/or rehab when available.
What conditions automatically qualify you for disability in Canada?
There is no "automatic" qualification since eligibility varies by benefit program. Chronic pain conditions, mental health and psychological illnesses, cardiovascular conditions, neurological disorders, and respiratory conditions may qualify. These may include fibromyalgia, PTSD, schizophrenia, depression,, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, COPD, and more.
How much does AISH pay per month?
AISH benefits can vary greatly, depending on your income and actual expenses. The maximum living allowance available is currently $1,863 per month, but this is just one of the many benefits offered by AISH.
How do I apply for AISH in Alberta?
You can apply for AISH in Alberta online, or by filling out a paper form and sending it to AISH by fax or mail. You'll need to submit personal, medical, and financial information during the application process.
How long does it take to get AISH in Alberta?
This is difficult to answer since AISH applications are reviewed in the order they're received, with applicants requiring end-of-life care given priority status. Those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness are also prioritized.
Leave a comment
Comments