Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
Effective January 1, 2008, maximum AISH benefits increase from $1,050 to $1,088, and eligible clients will receive a payment by the end of February. Employment supports for AISH clients are also now being offered. With clients, employers, community agencies and other partners, government is developing strategies to help interested clients participate in the workforce.
For more information about the increase, please see the 
News Release, or contact your AISH worker.
Changes to the AISH Program
On May 1, 2007, the new AISH Act and Regulations were brought into effect. The updated legislation includes a $50 increase in the maximum monthly living allowance and changes to the way income is treated and reported.
The Improving AISH booklet contains more information about these changes and how they affect AISH clients.
Improving AISH (May 2007)
AISH Program Information Resources:
The AISH Tip Sheets provide an overview of the AISH Program and benefits available. The following tip sheets may be printed from this website:
- AISH Facts
- Eligibility for AISH
- Treatment of Income and Assets
- Employment Income
- AISH Health Benefits
- AISH Personal Benefits
- Living in a Facility
- Applying for AISH
- Reporting Changes
- Overpayments and Debts
- Appealing a Decision
- Office Locations
- Terms used by AISH
Printed copies may also be accessed by contacting an AISH office.
- What is AISH?
- What health benefits are provided?
- Am I eligible to receive AISH?
- How can I apply for AISH?
- Can I work and receive AISH?
- Can I appeal decisions about AISH?
- Where can I get more information about AISH?
What is AISH?
The Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program provides financial assistance (living allowance), supplementary assistance (child benefits and personal benefits) and health-related assistance (health benefits) to adults with a disability. The disability must severely limit the ability to earn a living and must be permanent (e.g. all opportunities for rehabilitation and training have been exhausted). AISH provides health benefits to assist clients, their cohabiting partners and dependent children with expenses related to their health.
What health benefits are provided?
- Premium-free Alberta Health Care Insurance
- Prescription drugs
- Essential diabetic supplies
- Optical
- Dental
- Emergency ambulance services
- Exemption from the Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) co-pay fees
All other available health-benefit plans should be accessed first. When a health benefit from another program or source is not equal to a health benefit AISH provides, AISH will cover the difference. A cohabiting partner or dependent child who is living in an institution or does not meet certain citizenship criteria will not be eligible for a health benefit.
[ Back to top ]Am I eligible to receive AISH benefits?
Your individual situation will be assessed to determine whether you qualify for AISH. This list is only a general guideline of the AISH eligibility criteria.
- You must have a severe handicap that:
- Substantially limits your ability to earn a living. Your disability must be the main factor, not your age, lack of education or lack of available jobs.
- Your disability is permanent.
- There is no training, rehabilitation or medical treatment that would help you to be able to work.
- Your income and the income of your cohabiting partner must not exceed the limits allowed under the program.
- Your assets and the assets of your cohabiting partner must not exceed the limits allowed under the program.
- You must be 18 years old or older, and not eligible to receive an Old Age Security pension.
- You must be a permanent resident of Alberta.
- You must not be residing in an institution (e.g. a correctional centre or a psychiatric hospital).
- You must apply for all other income benefits you are eligible for (e.g. Canada Pension Plan disability benefits).
How can I apply for AISH?
To apply for AISH, you should contact the AISH office in your local community.
To locate the nearest AISH office, contact the Service Alberta Operator toll-free at: 310-0000 or refer to the Office Locations Tip Sheet.
Upon contacting the AISH office, you will be provided an application package that contains forms to assist with the collection of basic information about your and your cohabiting partner's income and assets.
When we receive your completed application package, a two-step review process begins.
- First, your income and asset information is reviewed to determine if you meet the financial requirements.
- Second, if you meet the financial eligibility requirements, your medical eligibility is reviewed. You will be asked to have a medical report completed.
The length of time it takes for AISH to make a decision on your eligibility depends on how quickly you can provide complete documents regarding your application. Inquiries regarding the status of your application should be made to your local AISH office. For an information sheet on the application process, refer to the 
Applying for AISH Tip Sheet.
Can I work and receive AISH?
Yes, AISH encourages clients to work to the extent they are able. The income of the applicant, client and their cohabiting partner are considered in determining eligibility and the level of benefits. AISH provides an Employment Income Exemption to allow you to earn more employment income before it affects your AISH living allowance or modified living allowance. For more information about Employment Income Exemptions, refer to the Employment Income Tip Sheet.
If your employment or self-employment earnings increase, and you are no longer eligible for the AISH monthly living allowance or modified living allowance, you will continue to receive health benefits through the Alberta Adult Health Benefit (AAHB) program. AAHB policy information is available through the Employment, Immigration and Industry website at: www.employment.alberta.ca.
You may qualify for rapid re-instatement of AISH benefits if, for any reason, you should lose your employment income. No medical is required if application is made within two years and your medical condition has not changed.
[ Back to top ]Can I appeal decisions about AISH?
An AISH decision can affect many different people including an applicant, a client, a financial administrator, a third party or a sponsor of a landed immigrant. Such a person is referred to as an affected party.
When a decision is made, the affected party is notified in writing of the decision and their right to appeal that decision. If the affected party wishes to appeal the decision, they must provide notice, in writing, outlining their disagreement with the decision and requesting that the matter be referred to the Appeal Panel. More information about AISH appeals may be accessed from the Appealing a Decision Tip Sheet.
Edmonton: (780) 427-2709
Calgary: (403) 297-5636
Outside Edmonton or Calgary: call 310-0000 (toll free) and then dial (780) 427-2709
Where can I get more information about AISH?
More details about the AISH program are available in the AISH Tip Sheets and AISH Program Policy Manual. You can reach government offices toll-free by calling 310-0000 and then entering the government number you need, including the area code. Assistance is available Monday to Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Callers with TTY Deaf or Hard of Hearing Relay can reach Alberta government offices by dialing (780) 427-9999 in Edmonton or 1-800-232-7215 in other Alberta locations.
The legislation governing the AISH program may be accessed from the Queen's Printer.
On the Queen's Printer website, the legislation can be viewed and printed for free by clicking on "view this document". If you want an official paper version these can be purchased online.
