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Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
AlbertaDisabilityChecked October 30, 2026
AISH gives a monthly living allowance and health benefits to adult Albertans with a severe disability that permanently prevents them from working. Since July 2026 one application covers AISH and the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which is for people with a severe disability who are assessed as able to work.
How muchLiving allowance of up to $1,940 a month (rate effective January 1, 2026), reduced by other income you or your partner have. Child benefit from the August 2026 benefit period: $300 a month for the first child, $117 for the second, $88 for the third, $59 for the fourth and $30 for each one after that. A health benefits card covers prescription drugs, basic dental care, eye exams and glasses, diabetes supplies and emergency ambulance trips. ADAP pays a core benefit of $1,740 a month; people moved from AISH to ADAP in July 2026 get a $200 monthly transition benefit until December 31, 2027.
When it's paidMonthly, 4 business days before the first of the month by direct deposit (cheques are mailed 6 business days early). The payment for December 2026 is on November 25, 2026 and the payment for January 2027 is on December 22, 2026.
Who qualifies
- You are 18 or older and not yet eligible for Old Age Security
- You live in Alberta and are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- You have a severe disability that permanently prevents you from working (ADAP covers a severe disability that makes work much harder, all the time or on and off)
- Your non-exempt assets, added together, are worth $100,000 or less
- You are not in a correctional institution or a designated Mental Health Act facility
How to apply
- Apply online on the Alberta Disability Income Assistance (DIA) site; one application covers AISH and ADAP
- If you cannot apply online, fill in the Disability Income Assistance Application (form DS2444A)
- Ask your health professional to complete the Disability Assistance Medical Report (form DS2444B); they may charge a fee
- Include your CRA Notice of Assessment and submit online, by fax to 1-877-969-3006, or by mail to AISH and ADAP, PO Box 17000 Station Main, Edmonton AB T5J 4B3
- For help with the online application call Alberta Supports at 1-877-644-9992; for the status of your application call 1-877-759-6810
What to have ready
- Your latest CRA Notice of Assessment
- Disability Assistance Medical Report (DS2444B) from your health professional
- Income and asset details for you and your spouse or partner
- Direct deposit form (EMP2443IS) with a voided cheque or a printout of your bank account details
Add to a printable checklist with other benefits
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the Notice of Assessment, which holds up the application
- Not telling AISH when a Canada Disability Benefit or Disability Tax Credit application is approved or denied; you must report it
- Expecting payments back to the day you applied; benefits are backdated only to the month AISH or ADAP received all required information
- Waiting more than 2 years after leaving AISH; after that you must apply again instead of reopening your file
Still being confirmed: The January 2026 AISH Financial Benefits Summary still lists a $232 first-child benefit and older work-income exemptions. The newer ADAP page gives the child rates above and says benefits are affected after $350 a month of earnings for an AISH single person or parent and $1,500 for a cohabiting partner. Ask your AISH or ADAP worker which rules apply to you. Check the official page for the latest details.
Official sources
Last checked against these pages on October 30, 2026.
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BenefitCanada is independent and not affiliated with any government. This guide summarizes official sources in plain language; rules and amounts change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.