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Part II - AISH – Government Support for the Severely Disabled

The Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program provides financial assistance in the form of a living allowance, supplementary assistance in the form of child benefits and personal benefits, and health related assistance in the form of health benefits to adults with disabilities. The legislation defines severe handicap as follows:

“‘severe handicap’ means an impairment of mental or physical functioning or both that, in a director’s opinion after considering any relevant medical or psychological reports, causes substantial limitation in the person’s ability to earn a livelihood and is likely to continue to affect that person permanently because no remedial therapy is available that would materially improve the person’s ability to earn a livelihood.” (Section 1(I), Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Act, S.A. 2006, c. A-45.1)”

In other words, the disability must be permanent and must severely limit the ability to earn a living. The disability must be the main factor behind the inability to earn a living, not the person’s age, lack of education, or lack of available jobs. An applicant for AISH must also meet income and asset thresholds. To qualify, the applicant and his or her cohabiting partner must not own more than $100,000 in non-exempt assets. Certain key assets are exempt, including a principal residence and a vehicle, and a second vehicle if it has been modified to accommodate the applicant’s disability. Clothing and basic household goods are also exempt from the asset calculation.

All AISH applicants must also apply for any other income benefits they are eligible to receive, such as Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. AISH applicants must also claim or collect the benefits of any assets they are entitled to receive.

AISH provides a maximum monthly living allowance of $1050/month. This amount was increased by $50 from the previous maximum of $1000 on May 1, 2007. The actual monthly living allowance depends on each applicant’s income. New income rules, also brought into force on May 1, are intended to simplify how earned income affects the monthly living allowance. In simple terms, each AISH recipient can earn a minimal base amount of income that is fully exempt. The amount of this exemption is different for recipients who are single, who are cohabiting with a partner, and for those who have dependent children. There is a further exemption for a percentage of any additional income earned. The remaining income reduces the AISH benefit for that month. AISH recipients are required to report changes in their income on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis, depending on how frequently their income changes.

AISH also provides a $315 living allowance to qualified applicants who reside in a residential care facility, as well as an accommodation charge to assist with the cost of living in the facility.