Alberta woman says her household could lose hundreds with AISH changes
An Alberta woman says upcoming changes to the province’s disability assistance program could potentially leave her husband financially dependent on her and force their household to absorb hundreds of dollars in lost income each month.
Charlie McDonald, a Grande Prairie resident, expressed her frustration in an Instagram reel that has been viewed nearly 65,000 times. McDonald explains that her husband has been an AISH recipient for 20 years and worries about the impact on their household budget.
The new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which will operate alongside the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program, rolls out in July. The government says ADAP is intended to better support Albertans with disabilities who are able to work, while continuing to provide financial and health-related supports.
But McDonald fears the way household income is calculated under the new structure could result in a significant monthly shortfall for couples. She argues that while some changes to individual earnings rules appear to include more gradual reductions, she is unsure how they will apply to spousal income.
“I think it’s the uncertainty about how much it’s actually going to impact our finances,” she told Daily Hive.
She added that the lack of clarity has made it difficult to plan ahead, particularly after she and her husband recently purchased a car under the assumption their financial situation was stable.
Under the current rules, McDonald works full-time but keeps her earnings just below the income threshold, so her husband does not lose his financial benefits. With the new lower limits, she fears his benefits will be cut back as long as they live together.
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“As long as we’re living together, they’re going to continue docking him, so the only way for that to stop would be for me to no longer live with him.”
McDonald feels the changes were quietly rolled out, and that she first learned about them through Facebook.
McDonald said she has contacted her MLA and Alberta Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Jason Nixon, and described the response she received as “insulting.”
“I’ve been trying so hard to get the word out, and I just feel like I’m getting nowhere.”
The province says all current AISH recipients will either remain on AISH or transition to ADAP beginning in July, with recipients receiving letters in mid-May outlining how they will be affected by the changes.
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Albertans with severe developmental disabilities, terminal illnesses, those living in continuing care, and recipients aged 60 or older will automatically remain on AISH, while others transitioning to ADAP will receive a temporary $200 monthly benefit through the end of 2027 to maintain current payment levels.
A benefits estimator has been added to the Alberta government website that includes the temporary benefit in its calculation.
McDonald said the uncertainty has left her family facing financial anxiety and that she has heard similar concerns from other disabled Albertans online who report feeling “scared, depressed and angry.”
Disability advocacy group Inclusion Alberta says ADAP will deepen poverty for tens of thousands of adults with disabilities and their families.
“This massive administrative expansion is being undertaken to reduce support by $200 per month compared to AISH. ADAP assumes people with disabilities can work their way out of poverty, ignoring systemic barriers and Alberta’s labour market realities.”
“To create the bureaucracy for a second program parallel to AISH, the Program Planning and Delivery budget for AISH and ADAP increases by 107 per cent or $45.7 million this year,” the nonprofit said in a news release.
In a statement to Daily Hive, the province said that no Albertan will receive less income in July 2026.
“AISH clients who transition to ADAP in July 2026 will receive a $200 monthly transition benefit that will keep their financial benefit the same as their existing AISH benefit amount until December 31, 2027. During this time, clients can choose to remain on ADAP or apply for AISH.”
The province also addressed concerns around the spousal income exemption.
“Previously, spousal employment income above the fully exempt threshold had much more significant impacts to financial benefits, starting at 50 per cent deduction. Now, $1,500 in spousal employment income will be fully exempt, with any earned income above this amount gradually impacting financial benefits, starting with less than a cent per dollar. ADAP recipients will continue to receive the health benefits they need, regardless of their or their spouse’s employment income.”
McDonald said she hopes to raise awareness as disabled Albertans begin receiving letters about the changes.
“You are one accident, medical emergency, or illness away from being one of those people. It can happen instantly.”