Alberta Disability Assistance Program

https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-disability-assistance-program

Provides financial, health and personal supports to Albertans with permanent and short-term disabilities who are able to work.

Purpose
The Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) will empower Albertans with disabilities to pursue fulfilling job opportunities while continuing to receive the financial, medical and personal supports they need.

Albertans with disabilities and the organizations that support them have made it clear that they want supports that meet their unique needs and abilities, rather than the current one-size-fits-all solution offered by the longstanding Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program. Albertans with disabilities stressed the importance of providing pathways to employment for individuals who are able to work but still need to receive benefits, and AISH is not designed to provide this type of support.

ADAP was thoughtfully designed based on input from Albertans with disabilities to address a gap in supports for individuals with disabilities who are able to work and want to enjoy the benefits that come with employment, such as earning a paycheque, building relationships, developing skills, and providing a sense of purpose, belonging and independence.

How it works
Albertans on ADAP will also have access to the resources and tools they need to gain new skills and be empowered to work to their full potential.

Starting in July 2026, the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program will become operational and disability income assistance applicants will be assessed for both the new program and AISH. Eligible applicants will be placed in the program best suited to their unique situation. If deemed eligible for AISH or ADAP, applicants will receive the difference in benefits retroactively to the date that their complete application was submitted.

There will be a single combined application for AISH and ADAP, and an applicant’s needs and situation will determine which program they are eligible for. In general, people with a permanent and severe disability who are unable to work will be eligible for the AISH program, while those with disabilities who are assessed as able to work will be eligible for ADAP. ADAP clients can apply for reassessment for AISH if their medical condition or ability to work changes.

All existing AISH clients will be assured a place in either the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program or the AISH program. Those currently on AISH will continue to receive their existing benefits until they are able to be placed in the program best suited to their unique situation and can rest assured that their care and wellbeing will be prioritized as the new program is implemented.

Benefit rates and earned income exemptions for ADAP are still being decided, and more information will be shared in the near future. Alberta provides some of the most comprehensive supports amongst provinces for people with disabilities, and Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring that the province continues to have the best disability programs in Canada.

There is no maximum program duration for ADAP – clients will receive supports for as long as they need.

ADAP will provide higher earning exemptions than any other program, meaning Albertans on ADAP can earn more from working while continuing to receive their financial benefits. Monthly benefits will be gradually reduced as employment income increases.

The new program will include the same robust health benefits as AISH. Albertans on ADAP will be able to receive the health benefits they need, regardless of their employment income. Once a person reaches the maximum earnings and is no longer eligible for monthly financial benefits, they will continue to be eligible for health benefits, up to age 65, when they transition to seniors’ health benefit programs.

Through ADAP, Albertans with disabilities will not only receive the financial and health benefits they rely on, but they also will have access to the resources and tools they need to gain new skills and work to their full potential. To support this, Alberta’s government will be investing more to expand employment supports and encourage private sector employers to break down barriers to employment for people with disabilities.

The new program will include the same robust health benefits as AISH. Albertans on ADAP will be able to receive the health benefits they need, regardless of their employment income. Once a person reaches the maximum earnings and is no longer eligible for monthly financial benefits, they will continue to be eligible for health benefits, up to age 65, when they transition to seniors’ health benefit programs.

Through ADAP, Albertans with disabilities will not only receive the financial and health benefits they rely on, but they also will have access to the resources and tools they need to gain new skills and work to their full potential. To support this, Alberta’s government will be investing more to expand employment supports and encourage private sector employers to break down barriers to employment for people with disabilities.