Advocates call on Alberta government to halt shift to new disability benefits program
CBC
Nineteen advocates and advisers for Albertans with disabilities are calling on the province to reverse its plans to create a new disability benefits program in an open letter.
The government tabled the Financial Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2) on Tuesday. If passed, it clears the way for the Alberta Disability Assistance Program to come into force.
Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon says the program is a way for Albertans with disabilities to keep more employment earnings while still getting benefits from the province.
But disability advocates say that for many people, it will actually mean a reduction in income.
Those who want to remain on the existing program — Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) — will only be able to do so if a medical review panel determines they are unable to work.
A discussion guide posted by the provincial government in the summer said all AISH recipients would be automatically transferred into the program on July 1, 2026.
AISH recipients who are moved to ADAP will receive $200 less each month than they would have previously.
"They will have to juggle or give up one thing over another to be able to survive,” Tony Flores, Alberta’s first advocate for persons with disabilities, told CBC News. “Let's ask ourselves, can we live on $1,700 a month with the increasing cost of living? It's unrealistic.”
Until now, AISH recipients could earn up to $1,072 each month before their benefits are clawed back. The proposed changes would see that limit drop to $350.
Under ADAP, the first $350 of earnings will be fully exempt. Additional earnings will be exempted on a sliding scale until they are fully deducted once a recipient earns an annual income of $45,000.
Flores said the change feels like a penalty when financial stability is what’s needed.
“Support people with disabilities to be successful by providing a basic income where they can really focus on their abilities, where they can contribute in the community.”
Trish Bowman, CEO of Inclusion Alberta, shared similar concerns on Edmonton AM.
“We believe that this will drive potentially tens of thousands of Albertans with disabilities into deep poverty, really causing significant financial and emotional distress,” she said.
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