Alberta announces new benefit program for people with disabilities
Disability support programs in Alberta are changing. The province announced its plans for the Alberta Disability Assistance Program, or ADAP, which aims to allow people with disabilities to work while receiving benefits. The government says the new program will coexist with the current Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program.
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Edmonton Journal
09-05-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Albertans protest federal disability benefit clawback and call for accessibility legislation
'AISH is not going to change, but we could have had more money in our bank account,' advocate says Disability advocates, allies, and organizations gather in Edmonton outside the Alberta legislature for the Act NOW Rally on May 6, 2025, calling for urgent action on accessibility legislation, income support reform, and meaningful consultation with the disability community. David Bloom/Postmedia Dozens of Albertans came out to the legislature on Tuesday protesting clawbacks for the federal disability benefit and called on the province to put forward accessibility legislation. Starting in June, Albertans with disabilities can begin applying for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) with the first payment of up to $200 expected in July. But while the province says the Assisted Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) payments will remain unchanged, advocates say the province will claw back the CDB benefit, garnering protests from those in the community. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Zachary Weeks, a disability advocate and rally organizer, said many people living on AISH are afraid to speak out in fear their benefits may be cut. Sitting in the gallery of the legislature on Tuesday, he said it was great to see many questions from the Alberta NDP directed to the UCP government on disability. 'Yes, AISH is not going to change, but we could have had more money in our bank account if (the government) did not claw back CDB,' Weeks said. 'I don't think anyone wants to live on AISH because it's a paltry amount, given the economy we're in and the amount of expenses for groceries and rent on top of that, it is a very rigorous process to get accepted onto AISH.' According to the province, there are approximately 77,000 Albertans on AISH. The maximum monthly allowance is $1,901. Weeks said having an extra $200 would give those with disabilities a 'little more breathing room,' whether it's to help with extra cost for medical supports or rent. Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon. Photo by Darren Makowichuk / Postmedia Province touts new disability program to launch in July 2026 Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Starting July 2026, the province will implement the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), intended to ensure Albertans with disabilities are not negatively impacted from having a job, according to the province. The program will not be replacing AISH. Weeks said the province needs to have proper consultation with the community before moving forward with the program and said individuals should be able to choose between AISH and ADAP. Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon defended the province's position and said the maximum monthly AISH payments plus $400 in health benefits and a tax reduction is 'above the poverty line.' 'We have regulations that have been in place under this government, the NDP government, the PC government, to calculate individual's income — income that you receive from the federal government, including things like Canadian Pension Plan are part of the calculation of income,' Nixon said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Alberta has the highest AISH payments in the country.' Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi spoke at the rally and said the UCP government 'actively works to make life worse.' He said what the province needs is accessibility legislation. 'I keep saying, don't they understand that what they're doing is not only not helpful, but is actually actively cruel,' Nenshi said. 'You all know that an extra $200 a month will let you exhale just a little bit, will let you breathe just a little bit easier when you're at the grocery counter.' ctran@ On X: @kccindytran Read More Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun Cult of Hockey Cult of Hockey Edmonton Oilers Columnists News
Edmonton Journal
09-05-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Albertans protest federal disability benefit clawback and calls for accessibility legislation
'AISH is not going to change, but we could have had more money in our bank account,' advocate says Disability advocates, allies, and organizations gather in Edmonton outside the Alberta legislature for the Act NOW Rally on May 6, 2025, calling for urgent action on accessibility legislation, income support reform, and meaningful consultation with the disability community. David Bloom/Postmedia Dozens of Albertans came out to the legislature on Tuesday protesting clawbacks for the federal disability benefit and called on the province to put forward accessibility legislation. Starting in June Albertans with disabilities can begin applying for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) with the first payment of up to $200 expected in July. But while the province says the Assisted Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) payments will remain unchanged, advocates say the province will clawback the CDB benefit, garnering protests from those in the community. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Zachary Weeks, a disability advocate and rally organizer, said many people living on AISH are afraid to speak out in fear their benefits may be cut. Sitting in the gallery of the legislature on Tuesday, he said it was great to see many questions from the Alberta NDP directed to the UCP government on disability. 'Yes, AISH is not going to change, but we could have had more money in our bank account if (the government) did not clawback CDB,' Weeks said. 'I don't think anyone wants to live on AISH because it's a paltry amount, given the economy we're in and the amount of expenses for groceries and rent on top of that, it is a very rigorous process to get accepted onto AISH.' According to the province, there are approximately 77,000 Albertans on AISH. The maximum monthly allowance is $1,901. Weeks said having an extra $200 would give those with disabilities a 'little more breathing room,' whether it's to help with extra cost for medical supports or rent. Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon. Photo by Darren Makowichuk / Postmedia Province touts new disability program to launch in July 2026 Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Starting July 2026, the province will implement the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), intended to ensure Albertans with disabilities are not negatively impacted from having a job, according to the province. The program will not be replacing AISH. Weeks said the province needs to have proper consultation with the community before moving forward with the program and said individuals should be able to choose between AISH and ADAP. Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon defended the province's position and said the maximum monthly AISH payments plus $400 in health benefits and a tax reduction is 'above the poverty line.' 'We have regulations that have been in place under this government, the NDP government, the PC government, to calculate individual's income — income that you receive from the federal government, including things like Canadian Pension Plan are part of the calculation of income,' Nixon said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Alberta has the highest age payments in the country.' Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi spoke at the rally and said the UCP government 'actively works to make life worse.' He said what the province needs is accessibility legislation. 'I keep saying, don't they understand that what they're doing is not only not helpful, but is actually actively cruel,' Nenshi said. 'You all know that an extra $200 a month will let you exhale just a little bit. Will let you breathe just a little bit easier when you're at the grocery counter.' ctran@ @kccindytran Read More Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun Cult of Hockey Cult of Hockey Sports Cult of Hockey Politics
CBC
24-04-2025
- CBC
'Pretty rough year': Tax experts urge Calgarians to file tax returns ahead of April 30 deadline
Social Sharing With the tax filing deadline less than a week away, tax professionals and organizations providing free tax clinics in Calgary are urging residents to start that process as soon as possible to avoid delays amid a bumpy tax season. Most Albertans have until April 30 to submit their tax returns, and certified tax professional Sharon Numerow with Calgary's Choice Tax Services said she's been flooded with last-minute filings. Numerow said some people are facing difficulties getting all the slips they need, due to glitches with the Canada Revenue Agency's new validation process. It's causing some documents to not appear on CRA systems. "Many employers and financial institutions were unsuccessful in loading their slips into CRA's system…. And so what's happening is people are waiting longer and longer because now that they can't find it in their CRA account, the onus is on them to have the slips," said Numerow, who now also operates in Lethbridge. That means it's taking at least double the amount of time for tax preparers like her, she said. "It's a pretty rough year." Numerow wants to remind Albertans that missing the filing deadline could lead to penalties. "If you do not file by April 30 and you're an employee, you will be charged five per cent of the outstanding balance or the income tax you owe as a penalty, and then one per cent … of the entire balance until you pay it off," said Numerow. In a statement to CBC, the CRA said anyone whose tax slips aren't appearing on the CRA website can get them directly from their employer or financial institution. It's also reminding Albertans that April 30 is the deadline to pay the CRA any taxes owed — even if they're self-employed and don't have to file taxes until June 15. High demand for free tax clinic Local charity Carya Calgary has also been busier than usual with their free tax clinic this year. It offers that service to low-income seniors and Calgarians receiving income support or AISH who have no dependents. Manager Jocelyn Cuthbert Mora said they've completed 635 taxes so far this year, and are expecting that figure to reach 700 by next week's deadline — roughly 50 more than their typical volume. She said it's especially important for low-income seniors and Calgarians with disabilities to file their taxes on time. If not, "they risk getting the benefits and supports cut off. For older adults specifically, if they don't file, they're not going to qualify for Old Age Security," said Cuthbert Mora. "If you're used to receiving so much a month and it doesn't come because you were late filing taxes, then it can obviously have huge ramifications for your housing, for poverty." Cuthbert Mora said another recent change by the CRA has also been creating challenges this year for seniors with low computer literacy. Canadians who set their preference to "electronic mail" online no longer receive their notices of assessment by mail, which contains information needed for the next tax year. "[It] can be a bit more of a challenge of having to help them do the phone call to get them connected." She said eligible Calgarians who still need to file their taxes can still drop off their documents at Carya's Bowmont Commons and Village Commons locations, which are open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday to Thursday.
