In Alberta, AISH and income support payments are made at the same time and are given out on a specific date. In Alberta, AISH and income support payments are issued at the same time on a specific date each 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 you can’t exceed. 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
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 who’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 expenses that exceed 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
To start receiving AISH, you must 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.
Details of Eligibility
When it comes to eligibility, the requirements are extremely specific. Regarding medical criteria, you must have a medical condition that is likely to remain permanent. Your medical condition must also be the main reason that you’re having a hard time paying your bills; other factors, like education, won’t be approved. Aish isn’t just about financial compensation, though; they’re also going to look into different therapies that can help you regain your ability to work again.
To be approved for AISH monthly payments to help cover basic living costs, you must meet the financial criteria. They look at all the income you reported on your income taxes, for both you and your spouse. They also look at the type of income you earn and your financial situation.
Another thing they’ll consider to see if you’re approved for the standard living allowance is your assets. Certain assets are exempt, which include your primary residence, vehicle, secondary vehicles adapted for disability, clothing, reasonable household items, Registered Disability Savings Plans, and trusts. The others will count towards your eligibility. You can have up to $100,000 in non-exempt assets before you’re denied.
Documents Needed to Apply
To get approved for AISH, 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.
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. If you’re not approved, then you can dispute it using the disability adjudication process.
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 2026. These amounts will often change year to year due to the consumer price index.
| Benefit | Maximum Monthly Allowance |
| Living Allowance | $1,940 |
| Modified Living Allowance – Personal Allowance | $373 |
| Modified Living Allowance – Private Room | $2,433 |
| Modified Living Allowance – Shared Room | $2,105 |
| Modified Living Allowance – Standard Room | $1,880 |
| Child Allowance – First Dependent Child | $232 |
| Child Allowance – Additional Dependent Child | $117 |
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 other AISH benefits 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. 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
AISH payments are issued on a specific day each month. Here are the 2026 benefit payment dates. While these dates vary, they typically occur 4 business days before the first of the month to help recipients avoid unnecessary late charges.
| Payment Month | Payment Date |
| January | December 22, 2025 |
| February | January 27 |
| March | February 24 |
| April | March 26 |
| May | April 27 |
| June | May 26 |
| July | June 26 |
| August | July 28 |
| September | August 26 |
| October | September 24 |
| November | October 27 |
All payments will be made via direct deposit at midnight on the day shown. This is the full payment schedule for the year, but it may differ in 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
You must make these changes as soon as possible to prevent overpayments or underpayments. 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 on how to do so.
How AISH Differs From CPP Disability
When it comes to AISH vs. CPP disability, the major difference is that one program is provincial and the other is federal. With CPP disability, the amount that you receive is based on your previous CPP contributions, and you must have worked and contributed to CPP. Your disability must also be severe and prolonged. There are no asset limits, and your outside income reduces CPP payments.
With AISH, there is no previous work history required; to qualify, you have to live in Alberta and have a severe disability with no reasonable prospect of improvement. To get this benefit, though, you must pass a strict financial asset test, even though some additional employment is allowed.
What Happens to AISH Benefits When You Move Provinces
If you’re moving out of Alberta, your AISH benefits will be cancelled since you must live in Alberta to get these benefits. If you’re still unable to receive employment income due to severe disabilities or a palliative or terminal condition, then you can apply for the programs that are available in your new province.
How Often AISH Eligibility is Reviewed
AISH reassessments or AISH eligibility reviews for financial factors are usually done annually or quarterly, based on whether you report any changes to your income or assets. Medical eligibility is rarely reassessed unless there is a change expected in your condition. As of July 1, 2026, there will be some changes to the AISH review process.
As of July 1, Alberta is launching the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP). All of those who receive Assured Income for the Severe Handicapped (AISH) will be transferred to this program. It’s $200 less per month, but a top-up is included to help with the transition. The current AISH recipients who have been transferred to ADAP will be able to reapply for AISH with a new medical assessment.
Can a Spouse’s Income Reduce Your AISH Payments?
When AISH eligibility is considered, there is the spousal income impact or the common-law AISH impact to consider. Even if your spouse doesn’t have a profound developmental disability or another eligible disability, their income still counts. This is because AISH considers your full household income, not just your individual financial situation.
Working Part-Time While on AISH
Whether you’re on AISH or ADAP, you’re allowed to work part-time. In fact, both ADAP and AISH part-time work is encouraged. However, what you earn will be deducted from your AISH earnings after you’ve hit the $800 per month exemption. Even if your payments go down, though, you’re still eligible for health coverage and medical expenses. More details can be found, though, on the Alberta government website.
What to do If Your AISH Payments Are Late
If you notice a late AISH payment, the first thing you want to do is check the income support payment dates to verify if the payment is actually late. Then you can check your AISH account to view your payment status and determine whether there are any payment delays. If you receive paper cheques instead of direct deposit amounts to help you cover costs, this will show you whether they’ve been issued.
After that, the best thing you can do is contact your case worker. They’ll be able to help you with emergency assistance, so you don’t have to resort to extreme measures like a payday loan.
Why Apply for AISH
While there are many benefits available for you if you’re disabled in Canada, the AISH program is for those who live in Alberta. In fact, AISH stands for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. It provides emergency assistance and the ability to plan with their income for those who are unable to work due to disability.
You can go to an AISH office to apply or apply online. Keep in mind that when you apply, it can not only provide you with an AISH payment schedule, but you can also get dental care for yourself, your first child, and any additional children. There’s more as well, depending on your financial situation.
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 who need financial assistance. The amounts recieved from AISH vary based on the recipient’s financial obligations and family dynamics. There are a few core benefits, while other benefits are assessed on a need-by-need basis. d-by-need basis.
