Alberta man stunned when disability payments decreased during spouse's maternity leave

When Trent and Seana Tatomir looked at their bank account right before Christmas 2023, they were shocked. 

"Merry Christmas," Trent said. "Here's a kick in the teeth."

Trent, 32, was injured in a workplace accident and for the past four years has relied on payments from Alberta's Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program.

Seana, 36, gave birth to the couple's daughter, Saoirse, last October.

Before Saoirse was born, Seana was earning about $2,930 a month in retail management. Trent's monthly AISH payments were $1,502.

On maternity benefits through employment insurance, Seana's income fell to $2,200 a month, and Trent's AISH payments decreased to $1,177.

That meant the Fort McMurray couple was bringing in $1,055 less than before, with an extra mouth to feed at home. 

"We were thinking it had to have been a mistake," Trent said.

But it wasn't.

Advocates across Alberta are looking to the government to reassess the rules around the province's Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program. Some say the program penalizes people with disabilities when they want to have children.

AISH provides financial and health benefits for 77,000 Albertans with medical conditions that stop them from earning a living.

This year the province is spending $1.6 billion on the program, which has a set of income exemptions that determine the amount of money any individual can receive.

The AISH recipient's income is also dependent on the income of their spouse or partner. When a spouse receives more money, AISH payments for the partner with a disability decrease.

Advocates say the system can force people with disabilities to stay in unsafe relationships, cause financial hardship and limit clients' ability to have a family.