Alberta to cut disability program funding by $49 million, says income for recipients remain unaffected

Alberta plans to cut funding for the province’s disability program by $49 million, but says income for program recipients will be unaffected.

In Budget 2025 announced on Feb. 27 the province called it a “tough but realistic” budget with a projected $5.2 billion deficit for the future year. The Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program is receiving $1.64 billion in 2025-2026 — a $49 million decrease from the previous year.

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Ashley Stevenson, a spokeswoman with the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social services, said the projected costs of the AISH program accounts for caseload and benefit rate increases, and anticipated contributions of the federal Canadian Disability Benefit (CDB). Those who qualify for the CDB will receive a maximum of $200 per month with expected payments to begin July 2025.

“The CDB will be non-exempt income for AISH recipients, meaning Albertans on AISH will continue to receive the same overall monthly support that they do today. We are incredibly pleased that the federal government is finally starting to pay their fair share to help support Albertans with disabilities,” Stevenson said. 

There are currently 77,000 Albertans who are on AISH. The maximum monthly allowance for a person on AISH is $1,901 per month.

Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon announced a new disability program on top of AISH called the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) in February. The program will not be replacing AISH and is said to allow those with disabilities to work without experiencing hefty clawbacks.

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No dollar amount has been set for the new program and the province said since ADAP isn’t slated to come until July 2026, it has no impact on the budget for AISH. But according to Budget 2025 funding is available to prepare for ADAP, including expanding funding for employment for those with disabilities.

Inclusion Alberta CEO Trish Bowan said in a statement to Postmedia that while overall client income is not impacted, higher caseloads and benefit levels raises the question of how the province will continue to sustain benefits. She said the government must commit to not clawing back to CDB, saying it is meant to be a top-up.

“The CDB is meant to be a top-up, not a replacement for provincial disability income support. Clawing back the CDB not only will mean adults with disabilities in poverty will be no better off, but it also will deprive local economies in Alberta of economic stimulus,” Bowan said.

The province said a person on AISH can earn up to $1,072 per month. The province will claw back 50 per cent of for every additional dollar earned up to $2,009. AISH clients earning more than $2,009 will have 100 per cent of income support clawed back. Families can earn up to $2,612 per month with no deductions, and $2,612 to $3,349 is 50 per cent exempt for families.

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Zachary Weeks, a disability advocate, said he was disappointed but not surprised at the decision to cut AISH, pointing to the province’s use of the CBD to make up for the cost of AISH payments.

“They sort of introduced this ADAP program to to help people get employed with disabilities, which I think all people with disabilities want to work, but really the infrastructure isn’t there to support them,” Weeks said. He pointed to the use of his wheelchair and the need for a workplace to be wheelchair accessible.

“People with disabilities are no further ahead. It’s like putting money in one hand then taking it out of the other.”

ctran@postmedia.com
X: @kccindytran

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