Understanding AISH Eligibility: What Disabilities Qualify?

Determining what disabilities qualify for AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) in Alberta involves more than just a specific diagnosis; it requires meeting comprehensive medical, financial, age, and residency criteria. The program focuses on individuals whose severe and permanent disability substantially limits their ability to earn a living, making the impact of the condition paramount.

Eligibility Criteria for AISH

To qualify for AISH, applicants must satisfy several key requirements that assess their overall situation, not just their medical condition in isolation.

Medical Criteria: The Core Requirement

The foundation of AISH eligibility lies in the medical criteria. Understanding what disabilities qualify for AISH starts here. An applicant must have a medical condition that is considered severe and likely to remain permanent. Crucially, this medical condition must be the primary factor substantially limiting the individual's ability to earn a living. Other factors, such as education level or lack of training, cannot be the main reason for unemployment.

Furthermore, AISH assesses whether there is any reasonably available medical treatment, therapy, rehabilitation, or training that could potentially improve the applicant's capacity to earn a living. Eligibility often hinges on the condition being permanent and not expected to improve significantly with available interventions in terms of work capacity. The focus is consistently on the long-term impact on employment capability.

Age and Residency Requirements

Beyond the medical aspects, applicants must meet specific age and residency rules. You must be at least 18 years old and not yet eligible to receive an Old Age Security (OAS) pension. Applicants must also reside in Alberta and be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. Importantly, individuals residing in correctional facilities or certain designated mental health facilities, like Alberta Hospital Edmonton, are generally not eligible.

Financial Criteria: Income Assessment

AISH includes a thorough financial assessment covering both income and assets for the applicant and their spouse or partner, if applicable. A key requirement is that applicants must actively pursue and apply for all other potential income sources they might be eligible for, such as Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D), Employment Insurance (EI), or Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) benefits.

AISH categorizes income to determine its impact on eligibility and the monthly allowance. Exempt income is not counted and doesn't affect benefits; examples include cash gifts, income tax refunds, and payments from Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) or Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs).

Non-exempt income, like CPP-D benefits or spousal support, is counted fully and deducted dollar-for-dollar from the AISH allowance. Partially exempt income, such as employment earnings or self-employment income, is counted partly. AISH encourages work, allowing recipients to keep a portion of their earnings without fully impacting their benefits, up to certain thresholds.

For instance, specific exemptions apply to employment income, allowing individuals to retain a base amount plus a percentage of earnings above that amount before deductions affect their AISH payments. It's important to note that income from a dependent child is generally not considered.

Financial Criteria: Asset Assessment

Assets owned by the applicant and their spouse or partner are also evaluated. Similar to income, assets are classified as exempt or non-exempt. Exempt assets are not counted towards eligibility and include items like the primary residence, a primary vehicle (and potentially a second adapted vehicle), clothing, essential household items, RDSPs, and certain trusts.

Conversely, non-exempt assets are counted, and their total value cannot exceed $100,000 for an applicant (and spouse/partner combined) to remain eligible. Examples of non-exempt assets include cash, chequing/savings accounts, Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), RRSPs (distinct from RRSP *payments* which are exempt income), stocks, cash inheritances, and recreational properties or vehicles.

There's also a Temporary Asset Exemption. If you receive money not considered income (like an inheritance, a gift, or proceeds from selling an exempt asset like your home or primary vehicle), you have 365 days to invest it in another exempt asset. If not reinvested within that year, it becomes a non-exempt asset and counts towards the $100,000 limit.

Beyond the Criteria: What AISH Provides

Eligible individuals may receive several forms of support depending on their specific circumstances. This can include a monthly living allowanc for basic needs like food, rent, and utilities, a monthly child benefit for dependent children, comprehensive health benefits covering various medical needs for the recipient and their family, and personal benefits for specific, additional costs like special diets or emergency needs.

The Importance of Demonstrating Effort

While the core requirement is a disability preventing substantial gainful employment, AISH may also consider an applicant's efforts related to work. Where appropriate, individuals may be expected to demonstrate reasonable efforts to find and maintain employment within their capacity, or make use of suitable training or rehabilitation opportunities that could potentially enhance their ability to earn a living, even if not to a level of self-sufficiency.

In summary, understanding what disabilities qualify for AISH requires looking beyond a simple list of conditions. Eligibility hinges on having a severe medical condition that is permanent and substantially limits one's ability to earn a living, with limited prospects for improvement through treatment or training related to work capacity. This medical assessment is coupled with strict age, residency, income, and asset requirements. It's the combined impact of these factors that determines qualification for AISH support in Alberta.

If you believe your situation aligns with these criteria, consulting the official AISH resources like 'Your Guide to AISH' is a recommended next step. Do you have further questions about navigating the AISH application process?

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