A letter from the Alberta Government about applying for the Disability Tax Credit and the Canada Disability Benefit

As a community partner, we received a letter from the Alberta government, Assisted Living and Social Services South office of AISH, addressed by the Director Ryan Puczko. By sharing this letter,  we hope it helps people find the right resources to apply for the Disability Tax Credit and then for the Canada Disability Benefit. Many organizations also provide disability benefit navigation services. Here is the link to the organizations providing this federal support. 

The AISH office is available to answer questions. 

The 1st letter is for people on straight AISH and the second letter is for people on modified AISH... 

Letter from Ryan Puczko: 

Dear Community Partner,

 

Thank you for supporting vulnerable Albertans.

 

Alberta’s government knows how important financial benefits are to help Albertans meet their basic needs and live independently. We are providing information to improve awareness of how Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) clients can apply for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) and how it affects their AISH benefits.

 

Please find enclosed two recently mailed letters that provided AISH clients with information on the federal CDB launched on June 20, 2025. The Standard AISH CDB Letter was sent to AISH clients who are living in the community receiving standard living allowance AISH benefits. This letter clarifies that the CDB will be non-exempt income for clients receiving standard AISH and the AISH client’s overall monthly government disability support will remain unchanged when AISH is combined with CDB. The Modified AISH CDB Letter was sent to AISH clients who are residing in a facility (e.g., continuing care home) receiving modified AISH benefits. CDB income will be treated as exempt income for AISH clients who reside in a facility. This means that CDB funds received will be in addition to their monthly benefits.

 

To access the CDB, individuals must have filed their 2024 federal income tax return and be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The federal government has committed to reimburse individuals for the cost of the DTC medical assessment. Details of this reimbursement model have not yet been announced. More information will be shared when it becomes available. In the interim, AISH clients are expected to pay the DTC medical fee up front. In cases of financial hardship, clients may request consideration by the AISH program to cover this cost, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Clients who have this cost covered by the AISH program will repay the program upon reimbursement by the federal government.

 

The AISH program requires clients to access all sources of income for which they are eligible, including federal programs. AISH clients who have not communicated the status of their CDB application to their AISH office prior to September 5, 2025, may see an equivalent amount to the CDB benefit, $200, deducted from their monthly AISH benefits, beginning with the October 2025 period of assistance. AISH benefits will not be held or terminated if a client does not communicate the status of their CDB application.

 

If an Albertan needs assistance to apply for and navigate federal disability services, they are encouraged to access the federal government’s disability benefits navigation services. Voice of Albertans with Disabilities is an Alberta organization funded by the federal government to provide direct disability benefit navigation services to persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers.

 

If you have any questions or are seeking further information, please feel free to respond to this email.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ryan Puczko

Director

South Zone, Calgary

Assisted Living and Social Services

Government of Alberta

Attachment 1: Straight AISH

July 4, 2025 

Name 

Address1 

Address2 

City, AB Postal code 

Dear , 

Alberta’s government understands how important financial and health benefits are to help Albertans meet their basic needs and live independently. On June 20, 2025, the federal government launched the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which will provide up to $200 per month for eligible Canadians with disabilities. To access this new federal benefit, individuals must have filed their 2024 federal income tax return and be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The federal government has committed to reimburse medical certification costs for the DTC. Additional information about the DTC and how to apply can be found on the federal government’s website at canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-personsdisabilities/disability-tax-credit. Additional information about the CDB, including eligibility criteria, a benefit estimator and how to apply can be found on the federal government’s website at canada.ca/en/services/benefits/disability/canada-disability-benefit. Income from the new federal CDB will be treated as non-exempt for AISH recipients. This means that, with the addition of the CDB, an AISH client’s overall monthly government disability support will remain unchanged. As a legislated program, AISH will remain fully funded and available to all eligible Albertans. The federal government has stated that the intention of the CDB is to see the combined amount of federal and provincial or territorial income supports for persons with disabilities grow to the level of Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. This works out to $1,814 per month. Alberta is one of only two provinces to exceed this federal benchmark. The AISH core benefit rate will remain the same at $1,901 per month in 2025—the highest disability support rate of any province in Canada. AISH clients are required to access all sources of income they may be eligible for, including federal programs. Please update your local AISH office to update them about the status of your DTC and CDB applications prior to September 5, 2025. Given the statutory requirement to access all sources of income you may be eligible for, clients who have not communicated the status of their CDB application to their AISH office prior to September 5, 2025, may see an equivalent amount to the CDB benefit, $200, deducted from your monthly AISH benefits, beginning with the October 2025 period of assistance. Sincerely, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Program

Attachment 2: for Modified AISH 

July 4, 2025 

[First Name] 

[Last Name]

[Job Title] 

[Organization] 

[Address] [Address] [City], [Province] [Postal Code] 

Dear [First Name] [Last Name]: 

Alberta’s government understands how important financial and health benefits are to help Albertans meet their needs and live independently. On June 20, 2025, the federal government launched the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which will provide up to $200 per month for eligible Canadians with disabilities. This letter is intended to clarify information provided to Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) clients in a letter dated April 8, 2025. Please be advised that the CDB will be treated as exempt income for AISH clients who reside in a facility (e.g., a continuing care home) and receive the modified AISH living allowance. As an AISH client who currently resides in a facility, this means that any CDB funds you receive will be in addition to your currently monthly AISH benefits. CDB income received by your spouse or cohabiting partner, if applicable, will be considered as partially exempt income. AISH clients are required to access all sources of income they may be eligible for, including federal programs. To access this new federal benefit, individuals must have filed their 2024 federal income tax return and be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The federal government has committed to reimburse medical certification costs for the DTC. Additional information about the DTC and how to apply can be found on the federal government’s website at canada.ca/en/revenueagency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities/disability-taxcredit. Additional information about the CDB, including eligibility criteria, a benefit estimator and how to apply can be found on the federal government’s website at canada.ca/en/services/benefits/disability/canada-disability-benefit. Please contact your local AISH office with any questions. Sincerely, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Program

Better the Canada Disability Benefit June 2025 Update

Calling for stories! 

An Alberta coalition wants to hear how the new $200 monthly Canada Disability Benefit could be a game-changer for you. They're collecting personal stories to show how this money can help bridge the gap between provincial support and the poverty line, offering a ray of hope for a better future.
📅 Deadline: June 20, 2025

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Key Updates from Disability Without Poverty Webinar (June 2, 2025):

• ✅ Automatic enrollment is a top priority.
• ❌ $200 a month isn’t enough — many are calling for more.
• 🔄 Provinces and the federal government must work together:
• Share medical info that’s already available.
• Cut red tape.
• Stop clawbacks that reduce housing or daily living aid.
• Speak up if you're affected.

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When Does the Benefit Start?

📅 June 2025 is the first month of eligibility.
🔗 Learn more here

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Help Improve the Benefit:

Parliament meets for 20 days in July 2025. That’s a key time to push for changes like:
📜 Making the benefit non-taxable
📣 Urging everyone to talk to their MP before the next sitting. 

List of MPs by postal code link: 

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Community Voices:

🧾 The National Disability Network says Budget 2024 fell short for the disability community and requests the Alberta government to not claw it back as stated in this national joint statement:  National Disability Network responds to Alberta's CDB clawback for AISH recipients.

🏛️ Only Alberta plans to claw back the new federal benefit for people on Alberta Income Support (AISH). This means that the additional $ 200 from the federal government will be deducted from the provincial support, potentially leaving recipients with the same level of financial assistance. Link to news story: Only Alberta Will Claw Back New Federal Money for Disabled People

✉️ Your Support Matters: Many municipalities and advocacy groups, including yours, support the Canada Disability Benefit. Together, we can ensure all provinces keep the complete $200 in people’s pockets.

Better the Canada Disability Benefit:

The Canadian Government will be sitting in the House of Parliament for 20 days in July, providing an opportunity to improve the Canada Disability Benefit as a nontaxable income letter and encourage Canadians to meet with their Member of Parliament (MP) before the next sitting.

🗣️ Your voice matters. Share your experience, spread the word, and advocate for fair disability support across Canada.

AccessAbiliTea May 27th Save the date! Tuesday, May 27th 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

We are honoured to participate in AccessAbiliTea Day on Tuesday, May 27th, to help recognize National Access Awareness Week (wear red to celebrate!).

It will be the first time the Disability Pride Flag will be raised in Calgary. 
Join us after for a casual tea and share ideas about AccessAbility in Calgary. 

Everyone welcome.
The Calgary Municipal Plaza is located at 800 MacLeod Trail SE 
ASL and closed captioning will be available. 

More information to come on festivities! 

Celebrating Friends of the Disability Action Hall, sharing our gratitude!

On Thursday, March 20th, 2025, "Friends of the Disability Action Hall" met to help us plan our next steps since we received an unexpected email on January 7th telling us our contract ends 15 months early. 

We called upon the community to help us reimagine a better Alberta. We wanted to thank our friends and previous government leaders who support the effectiveness by investing in self-advocacy to help advise good policy changes that save lives and create a better Alberta for all. 

For the future, we want to help create a better plan. In October 2024, Municipal Affairs Minister MLA Rick McIver said, "There is plenty of work to be done." Beyond the built environment, more needs to be done to enhance accessibility for Alberta.

Light the Way, Alberta 

Since we lost our provincial funding on January 7th, 2025 (15 months too early on our contract), at least 830 Albertans have sent letters to the Province requesting that the contracts be honoured. 

We hope you will continue to help us 'Light the Way for Self-advocacy," a campaign to raise awareness and voice the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities from lived experience to help inform policy changes. We aim to connect with 4,500 Albertans to donate $25 or more to help us move forward and continue our efforts.

We are deeply grateful to all who have donated and spread the word. Your support is invaluable, and we couldn't have done this without you. #LightTheWayAB

An update on honouring our contracts, light the way for self-advocacy

Update: A message from the SAIPA, Self Advocacy Federation and Disability Action Hall, March 11^th, 2025

We are still here. But for how long?

Over 800 Albertans have sent letters to their MLA and Premier of Alberta and Minister of Seniors and Community Social Services via a letter-writing website to ask the Alberta government to honour the contracts to provide the self-advocacy groups more time to find alternate funding. We have also been told that many people have sent letters directly outside of the site.

While the Minister has claimed that this funding is being diverted to direct services, the community is well aware that our work also provides direct services to Albertans, as mentioned in the editorial letter by previous CEO of Edmonton PDD Hart Chapelle (Disabled Albertans Deserve Better,February 26, 2025, Lethbridge Herald.

Since the defunding was first made known on January 7, the Alberta government has announced changes to AISH which has left the disability community confused, fearful, asking questions and seeking information that is simply unavailable. 

Meanwhile, these self-advocacy groups, having served hundreds of individuals over the past 20 – 27 years, are likely to fold, as many foundation proposal deadlines have passed. Those with upcoming deadlines will not provide funding to successful applicants until early Fall, leaving a significant gap before supporting staff can be paid. As a result, SAIPA has announced it will close its doors until further notice.  Please see the Calgary Herald article dated March 7^th, 2025 

Disability Action Hall has launched a fundraising plan for the upcoming year.  Called “Light the Way for Self-advocacy,” its goal is to have 4500 people donate $25 or more to secure 1 year of emergency funding to replace what has been lost from prematurely cancelled contract. Those who donate through this website will get an immediate charitable tax receipt from Canada Helps.

Self-Advocacy Federation will pause its actions as of March 31, 2025, and has started a GoFundMe campaign to help them tie up some loose ends for projects they are still working on. Visit “Save the SAF” to contribute. They hope to develop a social enterprise to fund the group, but such plans take more time to develop than they have left. They have asked the Disability Advocate to advocate for their plan and are waiting to hear back from the Disability Advocate.

The groups have also met with several members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities to talk about how this has impacted the self-advocacy movement in Alberta. We have invited the Minister to come and speak with the group and await a response.

Alberta Budget 2025 Our initial thoughts

 

The Minister of Finance and Treasury released the Alberta Budget. Our first reactions to the Alberta Budget 2025-2028

Increases to Low-Income Transit Pass Funding

We are thrilled to see a significant increase in funding for low-income transit passes at $16 million ($12 million between Edmonton and Calgary and $4 million for municipalities that operate public transit). This investment helps municipalities guide us to our destinations and opening new connections, employment, good health, and community opportunities. We eagerly await how this money will be distributed across the province and hope it will be enough to maintain affordable fares. 

AISH is intact and has a declining budget; how assured is it? 

We are thankful that the monthly cheques for Albertans on AISH continue for 2025 and that the budget does not impact the monthly amount, yet the program still faces a $43 million cut in 2025. We are alarmed that the AISH budget declines yearly to a grand total of $77,000,000 until 2027-28. This decline could mean fewer applicants, possibly longer wait times awaiting approval and for those who have already received AISH and previously worked in precarious employment. We are now facing a tight labour market, with unemployment rates in Edmonton (7.2%), Red Deer (9.2%) and Calgary (7.7%) above the national average at the beginning of 2025.  

ADAP (Alberta Disability Assistance Plan) Unknowns

We face health challenges requiring adaptions and attitudinal shifts in the workforce. ADAP has many unknowns, especially when we do not have an 'Alberta Accessibility Act framework to assist and measure improvements in the job market and employers for persons with disabilities. Typically, people with disabilities are the last to be hired and the first to be fired and face attitudinal barriers to securing employment and being paid our worth. 

“I have had the same job for 17 years but don’t make enough even to sniff the limit.”

Canada Disability Benefit, Alberta claws benefit back

After months of letters asking to leave the benefit alone, Others reacted to the announcement that the “Canada Disability Benefit” (CDB) would be clawed back. This means that even though it is already challenging (only 1 in 4 Canadians with disabilities qualifies for the CDB), it effectively penalizes individuals for trying to improve their financial situation. We ask: Why do we even apply if there is no benefit to the benefit?   

The CDB is a federal program meant to supplement the cost of living and increase people’s income (to be a top-up). But when it gets clawed back, why bother? Seven provinces and territories (Saskatchewan, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Quebec, and British Columbia) have committed no clawbacks on the CDB.

Given our challenges, we must engage in dialogue as we uncover more details.

We have invited the Minister to talk with us and await a response.

Light the Way, Alberta 

Since we lost our provincial funding on January 7th, 2025 (15 months too early on our contract), we know at least 800 Albertans have sent letters to the Province to honour the contracts. 

We hope you will continue to help us 'Light the Way for self-advocacy" a campaign aimed at raising awareness to continue to voice the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities from lived experience to help inform policy changes. Our aim is to connect with 4,500 Albertans to donate $25 or more to help us move forward and continue our efforts.

We are deeply grateful to all who have donated and spread the word. Your support is invaluable and we couldn't do this without you. #LightTheWayAB

 

 

Our doors are open to talk about ADAP. Let's Talk

Members of the Disability Action Hall are aware of the recent announcement that the government will explore the feasibility of the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which may become effective in May 2026. 

While it is difficult for us to respond without much detail, our doors are open for another month, and we welcome the Minister to meet with us. 

In the meantime, we encourage Alberta to monitor the ADAP website for further updates. 

For thirty years, we have known how to have challenging conversations with diplomacy and respect. We are thankful for the support of the Government of Alberta for nearly thirty decades. 

If you want to light the way and be able to spare a donation, then... 

Please visit our 'Light the Way' Fundraising 'CanadaHelps' page. 

We are part of the  'Calgary Scope Society. 

Alternatively, you can also visit the Canada Helps page' 

(then select 'Disability Action Hall' in the pull-down menu). 

Update: Keep the letters and stories coming! (January 28th 2025)

Update: Disability Action Hall members want to say thank you! We are grateful to hear how much self-advocacy work means to you and the community. Thank you for continuing to send letters and share stories with all of us. Reaching out to us, helping in your own way and asking us how to help has meant a great deal during this challenging time. 

Stories of Impact

One of our members shares why self-advocacy groups are critical to helping our city and community be a safe, accessible city. (2 minutes) 

  

For people who may not know... 

On January 7th, we received an email that our collective funding for three groups across Alberta (approximately $425,000)—would be terminated in just 90 days. 

This notice came 15 months before the scheduled renewal of our three contracts and without any prior warning. 

After decades of collaboration with the Government of Alberta, this sudden decision has left our groups, Self-Advocacy Federation, Disability Action Hall and Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association (SAIPA)  and, most importantly, the individuals and communities we serve—in a precarious and uncertain position.

How you can help

Here is a link to the letter-writing tool. 

Start by Sending a letter (CLICK HERE) Share your story! 

By sharing your story, we hope it will help reverse this decision to  #Honourthecontracts until March 31st, 2026. This will give us more time to create a better plan to continue our work. #SelfAdvocacyMatters

Media Coverage 

CTV News Edmonton Article "We're essential': Disability rights groups shocked by Alberta government funding cut" January 15^th, 2025

CTV News Lethbridge "Province ends disability support group contracts early; programming suspended"  January 15th, 2025

CBC News Edmonton Article "Alberta government axes funding for 3 disability advocacy groups" January 15^th, 2025

Lethbridge News "Province discontinuing funding for disability support group in Lethbridge", January 15th, 2025

Global News Calgary Segment "Alberta disability support organizations call on UCP to reverse decision to terminate contracts", January 15^th, 2025

CTV News Calgary Article "Disability rights groups in Alberta criticize province’s move on supports" January 16th, 2025

880 CHED Interview  - The Courtney Theriault Show, Thursday, January 17th, 2025

77QHR Interview 'Jan and Andy Show', January 18^th, 2025

Edmonton Sun, TAIT: Cuts to Advocacy Groups hurts those who need it most, January 19th, 2025 

Everything Grand Prairie, Government cuts $500K in funding to Alberta disability organization, January 22nd, 2025

Calgary Herald, Opinion: UCP funding cuts ultimately hurt people with disabilities in Alberta, Calgary Herald, January 24th, 2025

Red Deer Advocate: Province executing 'all-out war' on disability community, say AUPE, January 28th, 2025

Author of the article:

Next steps! Raise awareness with your MLA, please share your story to reverse the cuts

 

UPDATE January 23^rd, 2025, from the Disability Action Hall

On January 7th, we received an email notifying us that our collective funding for three groups across Alberta (approximately $425,000)—would be terminated in just 90 days. This notice came 15 months before the scheduled renewal of our three contracts and without any prior warning. After decades of collaboration with the Government of Alberta, this sudden decision has left our groups, Self-Advocacy Federation, Disability Action Hall and Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association (SAIPA)  and, most importantly, the individuals and communities we serve—in a precarious and uncertain position.

How You Can Help? Start by Sending a letter (CLICK HERE)

Collecting Stories:

Your stories matter! Share your story will make a difference. Doing so can reveal the real human cost of the government's decision. MLAs need to hear from you. Share your story on social  media. 

This isn’t just about policy—it’s about dignity, rights, justice, and the critical, meaningful support people deserve.

MEETING WITH MLAS 

We need your support now more than ever.

We seek your ideas, suggestions, and, most importantly, your stories.

Your experiences are powerful and can help us continue serving our communities.

We have created this template to make it easier for you to customize and add your story and meet with your MLA. 

Together, we can overcome this challenge and work toward a solution. Thank you for joining and being with us at this challenging time.

#HonorContractsUCP                #SelfAdvocacyAB

If you have questions. Or need help finding your MLA.

Who is my MLA?  finder  by postal code

Contact:

Self-Advocacy Federation,  (Edmonton and Area) Email: Saf@selfadvocacyfederation.com

Disability Action Hall (Calgary & Area) : www.actionhall.ca  Email: actionhall@calgaryscope.org  Phone 403.717.7630

Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association (SAIPA)   -Lethbridge and Southern Region) www.SAIPA.org Email : mail@saipa.org

 

Media Coverage

CTV News Edmonton Article "We're essential': Disability rights groups shocked by Alberta government funding cut" January 15^th, 2025

CBC News Edmonton Article "Alberta government axes funding for 3 disability advocacy groups" January 15^th, 2025

Global News Calgary Segment "Alberta disability support organizations call on UCP to reverse decision to terminate contracts", January 15^th, 2025

CTV News Calgary Article "Disability rights groups in Alberta criticize province’s move on supports"

880 CHED Interview  - The Courtney Theriault ShowText Thursday, January 17th, 2025

77QHR Interview 'Jan and Andy Show', January 18^th, 2025

Cuts to Advocacy Groups hurts those who need it most, January 19th, 2025 

Opinion: UCP funding cuts ultimately hurt people with disabilities in Alberta, Calgary Herald, January 24th, 2025

Author of the article:

Update: Virtual Town Hall for Thursday, January 23rd 6:30 pm with Shadow Minister for Seniors, Community and Social Services

Come and share the decades of success stories, partnerships and community building efforts we have made together with the Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association (SAIPA) Self-Advocacy Federation and the Disability Action Hall, this Thursday, January 23rd! Virtual Town Hall 6:30 pm

We also want to thank the many people coming forward asking how can we help? 

Collecting stories! 

We are hoping to share the value of self-advocacy groups across Alberta and we are looking for stories on Thursday, January 23rd beginning at 6:30 pm. 

When people ask us how can I help? 

The Shadow Minister, Marie Renaud has extended an invite for Self-Advocates and our friends who have been impacted by our work. 

Everyone is welcome. 

Please share the registration link! Hope to see you there.  

Media may be present  

Thursday, January 23rd beginning at 6:30 pm. 

ASL will be provided!

https://www.albertasfuture.ca/events/disability-self-advocate-town-hall