Do I Qualify for AADL or AISH Disability Benefits in Alberta?

Do I qualify for disability benefits in Alberta?

There are two types of Alberta disability benefits available—Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL). Under the right circumstances, you can qualify for both at the same time. 

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) 

AISH Alberta is a set of financial and health benefits that are available to eligible residents of the province. To qualify for the disability benefits of AISH, you must have a permanent medical condition that prevents you from earning a living, and which cannot be improved through any medical treatment, therapy, rehabilitation, or training. You must also be at least 18 years old, not eligible to receive Old Age Security, live in Alberta, and be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident. To explore the full eligibility criteria, visit the official AISH eligibility website or check the AISH Adjudication Guide to learn more about the official process AISH uses to determine if an applicant's eligibility.

If you qualify for AISH Alberta, you can receive benefits such as a monthly living allowance (up to a maximum of $1,787), monthly child benefit, health benefits to cover things like prescription drugs and dental appointments and a range of personalized benefits tailored to your specific needs. 

To learn more about the program or apply for AISH Alberta, click here. 

Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL)

The other disability benefits available to eligible residents of Alberta are the AADL—Alberta Aids to Daily Living. This program is designed to help anyone with a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness pay for basic medical equipment and supplies, such as oxygen, walking aids, wheelchairs, and more. 

To qualify for AADL, you’ll need to be assessed by a medical practitioner to determine your eligibility for the program and identify your basic medical needs. To qualify for some medical equipment, your assessment needs to be completed by an approved AADL specialist. 

To apply or learn more about eligibility and coverage, visit the official AADL website.  

Don't forget about the Disability Tax Credit

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a tax credit designed to reduce the amount of income tax owed by disabled persons and their supporters. By paying less income tax, you can allocate more of your money towards disability costs. 

Furthermore, if you qualify for the DTC, you might also qualify for related programs like the registered disability savings plan, the working income tax benefit, and the child disability benefit.

Can I get a loan while on disability?

You can get approved for a personal loan while collecting disability benefits. Read about how you can use your AISH disability benefits to get a cash advance loan.

Spring Financial serves Canadians facing all types of credit situations with practical advice and credit-building solutions. We also offer personal instalment loans online, so you can get the financing you need in a few clicks. Apply today to see how we can help!