In 1979, the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped
(AISH) program was created. The purpose of AISH has historically been to
provide financial and health benefits to Albertans with permanent medical
conditions that prevent them from earning a living. The core financial benefit
has increased over the years; however, the only time that it was ever on par
with the poverty line was in 2012 when it was $1,588.00 a month. Since then,
the core benefit has remained below the poverty line. While Alberta's New Democratic
Party did tie AISH to the rate of inflation when they were in government in
2018, it was deindexed by the United Conservative Party when they formed
government in 2019.Then in 2023, theUCP did re-index AISH and tied it
to the low end of Alberta's Consumer Price Index, or 2%, but this only
increased AISH a small amount over the last two years. The current AISH amount
is $1,901.00. However, because they clawed back the federal Canada Disability
Benefit (CDB), the core amount for many people has gone down to
$1,701. A person can work on AISH and earn up to $1,072.00 per month before
their financial benefits are clawed back.
Why am I giving you a history lesson on AISH? Because on
Tuesday, December 9th, 2025 the government passed Bill 12: The Financial
Statutes Amendment Act, which includes a new disability program that will put
the lives of at least 79,000 Albertans with severe disabilities in danger.
The program is called the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and it
is set to go into effect in July 2026. When the government initially introduced
ADAP, they claimed it would increase the amount a person could earn before
their benefits were clawed back.
Unsurprisingly, they lied...
In July 2026 they will move 79,000 severely disabled
Albertans off of AISH and onto ADAP, and then expect them to find a job. They
have said they will immediately move those in hospice or continuing care homes back
onto AISH. However, everyone else will either have to find a job or reapply for
AISH. Now, let me tell you why this is such a dangerous plan.
With the creation of ADAP they have changed the definitions
of who AISH and ADAP are for. AISH will now be for anyone who has a disability
that permanently prevents them from working. The core financial benefit for
those on AISH will be $1,940.00 a month. They will receive health and personal
benefits as well. Those that can work will be able to earn up to $350.00 but
any additional earnings will be fully clawed back from their financial
benefit.
ADAP will be for anyone who has a severe disability that
substantially impedes their ability to work. The core benefit will be $1,740.00
a month. (Initially, the benefit rate will stay the same as AISH from July
2026-December 2027 for those already on AISH). However, their
health, financial, and personal benefits are not guaranteed. This means that
the government can stop or change benefits for a person at anytime. The
financial benefit rate is also no longer tied to inflation, which means that
the benefit rate can be changed without public debate, and, freezing or
reduction of benefits can happen quietly. A person on ADAP can earn up to
$350.00 before their financial benefits will start to be clawed back. The
government has not said what the rates of reduction will be yet.
If a person wants to reapply for AISH or apply for
either program, they will submit one form for both programs. They will have to
be reassessed by a medical professional, something that can cost up to $300.00
Their application will be reviewed by a panel of government-appointed professionals.
The decision made by this panel of which program a person is best suited for is
final. That means that there is no option for an appeal.
So, why is this bad? I'll give you a few reasons...
1. Just because a person's disability substantially impedes
their ability to work, it does not mean they will be able to find a job that
meets their unique accessibility requirements. The government has done nothing
to address the barriers to employment, including the creation of an
Accessibility Act. Alberta is one of the only provinces that doesn't have one.
While we have made some strides in inclusive employment, and while the
government claims they will do more to support inclusive employment, there are
systemic barriers that are not being addressed by anyone. This means that
there's no incentive for employers to hire people with disabilities. As someone
who used to live in a small town, some employers simply refuse to hire someone
with a disability. Because the systemic barriers to employment have not been
addressed, it means that people who suffer with things such as sensory issues
or chronic pain won't be able to find employment. There's also the fact that
the unemployment rate in Alberta is already high. And the government has
also cut funding for employment support organizations like EmployAbilities and
Gateway Association. If a non-disabled person can't find a job, how will
a disabled person find one?
2. The government is putting a person's fate in the hands of
a review panel that doesn't know them or how their disability affects their
day-to-day life. With no option for appeal, it means if the review panel gets
it wrong, that person is up a creek without a paddle.
3. With the amount you can earn before clawbacks being lower
than it was before, it will push people into deeper, abject poverty and put
more of a strain on services like health care, food banks, shelters, and mental
health. Houselessness will increase because people cannot find jobs that pay
the bills. This program forces people to decide between eating, taking
their prescribed medications, and paying their bills. It will also push
some to consider Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).
4. It will cause people to stay in abusive relationships or
at abusive jobs because they can't afford to leave. No one should be forced to
endure abuse simply because they're trying to live.
So, why should you care about this? Why does it matter?
1. It's a waste of your tax payer dollars. We already have
AISH. We already have a program that allows people to work if they can, and
supports those who can't. Is it perfect? No. Can it be fixed? Yes. This
government is choosing to create an additional program, and a review
panel. Not to mention the added strain this will put on other services. These
things will cost money that they don't need to spend. Why reinvent the wheel
when you can fix the one you already have?
2. Just because this doesn't affect you or your loved ones
today, doesn't mean it won't affect you tomorrow. Disability does not
discriminate. It's ademographic that intersects with every other
demographic. It's also the fastest growing minority. An average 25% of
Albertans have a disability. That's 1.5 million people. That number will only
increase.
3. It's bad for the economy. The estimated buying
power of people with disabilities and their families, in Alberta alone, is $15
billion dollars spent mainly inside Alberta. Lower benefit rates, lower
income exemptions, and lack of employment income will mean that people with
disabilities and their families won't be able to afford to buy as much, thereby
not being able to help stimulate the economy.
In the words of Gandhi, "The true measure of
any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable
members."
The UCP has made it incredibly clear they do not care about
supporting the most vulnerable in society. The only people they care about are
themselves and their friends.
Cruelty really is the point.
Sources:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2023063-eng.htm
https://www.rod-group.com/research-insights/annual-report-2020/
No comments:
Post a Comment