Alberta restores full benefits to AISH, ADAP couples
Published 9:58 am Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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Alberta is restoring full benefits to disabled couples receiving AISH or ADAP after the government slashed funding by 22 per cent in August.
The cut was part of the province’s decision to transfer the majority of Assured Income for Severely Handicapped (AISH) recipients to the new Alberta Disabilities Assistance Program (ADAP) through which clients receive less financial support and are expected to find employment.
“Albertans with disabilities have told us where they need more support. These changes respond to those concerns by making it easier to access assistance and giving people greater stability as they plan for their future,” said Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Nathan Neudorf, in a statement.
Sandra Azocar, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said this recent adjustment is not good enough. Government owes Albertans with disabilities real change and an apology.
“While it’s encouraging to see the government reverse some of the harm caused by its new Alberta Disability Assistance Program, it doesn’t change the fact that ADAP is poorly-conceived and harmful to the most vulnerable Albertans. It should never have been enacted,” Azocar said.
She said AISH was designed to provide a minimum income for Albertans who are medically unable to be employed.
“Disability advocates and front-line service providers warned the government that its proposed changes to disability benefits would seriously impact Albertans. AUPE members knew reducing benefits and changing the system would harm the Albertans we support.
“The government ignored all the warnings and went ahead with its cruel and callous plan.”
Azocar added that the government contracted out the management of ADAP to private, international corporations, which are incentivized to “squeeze every last drop of profit out of the critical services they now oversee.”
With the introduction of ADAP in July, the maximum individual AISH benefit dropped to $1,708 from $1,940, and the maximum individual ADAP benefit is $1,740.
A transition benefit ensures Albertans who transitioned from AISH to ADAP receive the same monthly support as they would on AISH until December 31, 2027.
The province said in addition to affected couples receiving retroactive reimbursements, the application process for ADAP clients who apply to return to AISH has been simplified. Alberta’s government is also asking the federal government to make it easier for people with disabilities to access Employment Insurance when a medical condition temporarily prevents them from working.