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In Alberta, AISH and income support payments are made at the same time and are given out on a specific date every month. This is because AISH is part of the income support programs and is considered to be a form of income support benefit.
Because AISH differs from income support, everyone receives a different amount to help with their bills. However, there are maximum amounts that you can’t go over. The payment dates also change every year.
What AISH Covers
When it comes to the AISH program, there are certain amounts that you can get based on what you qualify for. You can get a monthly living allowance to pay rent, a monthly child benefit, health benefits and personal benefits. Here’s what each one includes.
Living Allowance
In order to get a living allowance, you need to rent or own a home, live with family or friends, live in a group home, or be homeless. If your partner or spouse has an income, this will impact how much you can get for your living allowance. In some cases, you may get a modified living allowance instead.
If you can’t get the living allowance, you could get a modified living allowance if you live in an approved Continuing Care Home. You should check to verify your home is approved and see if you’re approved for a monthly personal allowance.
Child Benefit
You’ll only qualify for this portion of AISH income if you have children. If you do, you could be approved for an additional benefit amount for each dependent child. The total amount you receive will be based on how many dependent children you have.
Health Benefits
If you’re approved for health benefits, you’re not the only one that’s covered. It will also cover your spouse and dependent children. The things covered by health benefits are:
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter drugs and nutritional products
- Dental check-ups
- Teeth cleaning
- Filings
- Dentures
- Dental X-rays
- Tooth removals
- One eye exam every 2 years for adults
- One pair of glasses every 2 years for adults and every year for dependent children
- Diabetes supplies
- Emergency ambulance
- Alberta Aids to Daily Living amounts
Personal Benefits
Personal benefits are considered to be expenses that go over and above your monthly allowance. However, to be eligible for these benefits, you must have no more than $5,000 in non-exempt assets, demonstrate a need, be eligible for another program and meet the requirements for each benefit.
There are 3 types of personal benefits you could qualify for. These are health-related personal benefits, personal benefits for children and other personal benefits. These include:
- Arch supports
- CPAP machines
- Health equipment maintenance
- Physio, chiro, massage and acupuncture
- Hearing aid batteries
- Medical alert service
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Nebulizers and supplies
- Oxygen supplies
- Special diets
- Adaptive clothing
- Service animal supports
- Some costs related to child care and child education
- Leaving an abusive home
- Employment and training expenses
- Funeral arrangements
- Maintaining your home in a remote community
- Moving to set up a new home
- Travelling for health, court attendance and training
Who Is Eligible for AISH
In order to start receiving AISH, you do have to meet the eligibility criteria. For starters, you have to be at least 18 years of age and not be eligible for an OAS pension. The applicants must also live in Alberta and be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. You can’t be in a correctional facility or some mental health facilities.
When it comes to medical criteria, you must have a condition that’s likely to be permanent. Your medical condition must also be the reason that you aren’t earning income. As for the financial side of things, all of the income and assets between you and your spouse are considered.
Documents Needed to Apply
In order to get approved for AISH, you need to start by applying online. You can start the application process and save it to be completed if you need additional time. If you are unable to fill out an online application, there’s a paper application you can fill out and sign in.
On top of completing the AISH application, potential AISH recipients will need to submit an AISH medical report. You can either submit this yourself or have the doctor submit it for you. Once these two documents are completed and submitted, you will be contacted by an AISH worker, also referred to as a seniors community and social services worker, to complete the process and provide additional information.
Payment Amounts
When it comes to receiving AISH amounts, what you get is based on what you’re approved for. Here are the maximum amounts you can get as of 2024.
Benefit | Maximum Monthly Allowance |
Living Allowance | $1,863 |
Modified Living Allowance - Personal Allowance | $357 |
Modified Living Allowance - Private Room | $2,366 |
Modified Living Allowance - Shared Room | $2,047 |
Modified Living Allowance - Standard Room | $1,880 |
Child Allowance - First Dependent Child | $222 |
Child Allowance - Additional Dependent Child | $111 |
When you’re registered for AISH, you’re also covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, which covers basic medical care, including doctor visits and hospital visits. Ambulance trips are also covered. All of the rest of the benefits with AISH are assessed on a need-by-need basis, and the amounts covered are specific to the AISH recipient.
Receiving Payments From AISH
While payments from AISH used to be received by cheque, they’re now administered through direct deposit. In order to register for direct deposit, you can fill out and sign the direct deposit registration form. You can also write VOID on a blank cheque or print out your online bank account information. This is the same process you would use to set up automatic bill payments like insurance or car payments.
Another option is to get help from your bank. They’ll be able to provide you with all of the banking information that you need from your bank account to set up your direct deposit. Once that’s all set up, you’ll start to receive AISH payments as well as a monthly statement to prove that the payments were made. You may even receive payments for the previous month if you qualify for retroactive payments.
Payment Dates
The payments from AISH are given out on a certain day every month. Here are the 2024 benefit payment dates. While these dates do vary, they essentially occur 4 business days before the first of the month to help recipients avoid unnecessary late charges as well as late fees. The dates for 2025 will be similar to these, but won't be released until closer to December of 2024.
Payment Month | Payment Date |
February | February 1, 2024 |
March | February 26, 2024 |
April | March 25, 2024 |
May | April 23, 2024 |
June | May 28, 2024 |
July | June 25, 2024 |
August | July 26, 2024 |
September | August 27, 2024 |
October | September 24, 2024 |
November | October 28, 2024 |
December | November 26, 2024 |
All of the payments will be made with direct deposit at midnight of the day shown. This is the full payment schedule for the year, but it may be different from upcoming years. These dates are also income support payment dates.
Making Changes With AISH
Over time, your financial, medical or family situation may change. When this happens, it’s important to report these changes right away. Some of these changes you should report include:
- Employment
- Medical conditions
- Relationship status
- Number of children
- Child turning 18
- Ability to work
- Assets
- Income
- Changes in health benefits
- Contact information
- Moving for any reason
It’s important that you make these changes as soon as possible so no overpayments or underpayments can happen. It’s also important to update your worker if you no longer qualify.
AISH Overpayments
Unfortunately, overpayments can happen. They happen when a change is reported after a cheque is issued, you forget to update AISH on any changes, or an error is made on your payment amount. When this does happen, though, it’s important to pay those funds back right away. This allows you to avoid incurring debt.
Once an overpayment is made to you, you will be sent a Notice of Overpayment. If you don’t think this notice is correct, then you have 30 days to appeal it. However, if you don’t appeal it, it can turn into a debt. You have 30 days to pay the debt or sign a repayment agreement.
If you’re still receiving payment from AISH, the amount owing will be deducted from your upcoming payments. However, if you aren’t receiving AISH payments anymore, you’re still required to pay and will receive a letter in the mail of how to do so.
Changes for AISH in 2025
As of right now, there are no announced changes to AISH in 2025. That said, the payment dates for 2025 will vary from the ones currently listed.
Final Thoughts
AISH is a form of income support in Alberta for those who are severely handicapped and have permanent disabilities, preventing them from working and are in need of financial assistance. The amounts recieved from AISH vary based on the financial obligations of the recipient as well as your family dynamic. There are a few benefits that are considered core benefits, while other benefits are assessed on a need-by-need basis.