There are currently revisions taking place to the Alberta Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) benefits program. Though the proposed changes are a move in the right direction, changes are still needed to address serious problems relating to the family exemption.  Currently, single persons receiving AISH, living alone or with their family will keep their entire benefit – partial benefits are awarded depending on income earned (not contingent on the income of other able bodied family members.) However, disabled persons with cohabiting partners and children are evaluated based on net family income (even if they are unable to work themselves).

1. The current family exemption is not in keeping with the intent or spirit of the AISH benefits program (to provide an “Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped” person). By assessing eligibility against the working income of other household members the program becomes a form of employment insurance for the working party (a safety net) rather than an income source for the disabled person. Unless the able members of the household are very low income, the recipient stands to lose their eligibility entirely.
2. Is not in keeping with other programs geared to assist the disabled – other programs such as PDD and FSCD operate independently of family income.
3. Currently the government criteria by which AISH benefits are awarded to families creates disincentive for families to stay together and fosters a situation where it may be possible to do better financially if separated – what is this saying to children?
4. Creates disincentive to work – the working party may reduce hours or not pursue work for fear that their loved one may lose necessary health benefits.
5. Safety – if the person wishes to leave the relationship they must be legally separated for a period of time before they will be considered apart from their spouse’s income. Current AISH benefit criteria for families may leave them little or no income.  Hence, they may face homelessness or spend that time (presumably with children) in a shelter. They may be less empowered to leave abuse.
6. Dignity and independence – for most families the decision to be a single or dual income household is a choice – this is not the case for disabled people. Current benefit criteria forces families with disabled parents to be a single income household rather than delivering the “assured income” that the disabled person might have provided were they able to earn a living.
7. Recipient becomes the financial burden of their spouse- fostering a dependant relationship. This is psychologically demeaning and not in keeping with our culture – we no longer accept women as dependant on their husbands.
8. Destabilizing – while the recipient’s disability status is unlikely to fluctuate the spouses income may be highly variable. The AISH recipient may lose needed medical benefits while there is no actual assurance that the spouse is able or willing to provide this in the near or distant future. The program assumes indefinite stability and support from the non-disabled spouse.
9. Traditionally the argument that couples living together have reduced costs of living does not apply in the case where one partner is disabled. Disabled families face greater costs due to the expenses related to disability – averaging $1000 – $25 000/yr. above the expenses of the average family.
10. It is assumed that the stay at home spouse would be working at home to support their working partner to be better able to earn more money. however, the stay at home partner may be less able to assist with household duties and often depends heavily on the able bodied spouse to assist with maintaining the household and supporting them with disability needs.

These issues have been raised by individuals with disabilities and community groups in the past, for example the Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities Response to Low Income Programs Review in 2001 

The pending changes to the AISH program provides an opportunity to address these problems.  As a parent living with disability who is affected by this program I am taking the initiative to write Premier Allison Redford to recommend that the family exemption be revised to award benefits relative to the disabled person’s income alone. Furthermore, AISH benefits should also take into account the number of dependent children.  I also encourage you to write your local MLA and Premier Allison Redford.

For further information refer to the following links;

• Alberta Government Announcement: AISH funding to be increased April 2012
• Employment income tip sheet – delineates the government claw back for families with a disabled parent

Author:    Autism Calgary Member (Autistic, Epileptic and mother to one baby boy)