Financial Support & Information
Office of the Public Guardian and Trusteeship
Assist people with information and resources in the areas of guardianship services, trusteeship services, capacity assessment information and court applications, complaints about guardians, trustees and agents, and advance planning.
Phone: (403) 297-3364 (Adult Guardianship), (403) 297-6541 (Trusteeship)
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/office-public-guardian-trustee.aspx
Legal Resources
Alberta Forensic Psychology
Offers free legal advice to individuals and families who are facing financial hardship. They can help with government benefits such as AISH as well.
Email: info@abfp.ca
Phone: (587) 387-2270
Website: https://albertaforensicpsychology.ca/
Apollo Counselling Services Inc.
Apollo Counselling has a combined 25+ years of experience working with neurodivergent individuals, including autism. All services are VIRTUAL ONLY. They have a therapist who is also a lawyer that offers support to those going through legal proceedings, an Indigenous counsellor, and an entire BIPOC team offering sessions in English, French, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and Tagalog.
Area of Expertise: BIPOC community, Neurodivergent community, Immigrants to Canada, Those navigating legal issues, Multilingual Counsellors
Counselling: Individual, Couples, Family, Divorce and Separation Consulting
Ages: Children 5+, Youth, Adults
Billing: Offers a sliding scale
Email: admin@apollocounselling.ca
Website: www.apollocounselling.ca
Decision Making – Guardianship/Trusteeship Application Preparation
Lorna Selig and Kelsey Kryski, both Commissioners for Oaths, have been preparing Guardianship and Trusteeship applications for more than 15 years, collectively. They are well experienced with the forms, the preparation, the consultation, and the questions families have. Lorna and Kelsey can guide parents to access the forms and documents needed prior to starting the applications, then support throughout the process to the end when the documents are ready for the Court. In-person services available at their office, the families home, or online if preferred. Offered across Alberta.
Lorna Selig: lornaselig.gt@gmail.com (403) 701-9037
Kelsey Sryski: kelseykryski.gt@gmail.com (403) 461-9909
Calgary Legal Guidance
Offers free legal advice to individuals and families who are facing financial hardship. They can help with government benefits such as AISH as well.
Phone: (403) 234-9266
Website: https://clg.ab.ca/index.php/programs/social-benefits-advocacy-program/
Legal Advice Clinics (Calgary Women’s Centre)
Volunteer lawyers provide free, half-hour legal advice sessions to women. These sessions aim to provide a starting point when accessing the legal system. The clinics address family issues, civil cases, immigration and other types of law, but not criminal law. All women are welcome; note that appointments are required.
Email: legal@womenscentrecalgary.org
Phone: (403) 264-1155
Website: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/get-assistance/legal-financial-assistance/
Student Legal Assistance
Offers free* legal representation as well as legal assistance to Calgarians who are facing financial hardships. *Services are free after a one time $50.00 application fee.
Phone: (403) 220-6637
Website: http://slacalgary.ca/
Income Support
Alberta Income Support – Emergency Financial Assistance
The Government of Alberta offers emergency financial assistance if a situation is caused by unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control, it presents a severe health risk and you cannot access other resources or wait until your next pay-cheque or Income Support benefit cheque.
Phone: 1-866-644-5135
Email: scss.iscc@gov.ab.ca
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-financial-assistance
Financial Resources
Alberta Ability Network
Alberta Advocacy Network provides advocacy for poverty reduction, assistance with AISH applications.
Website: https://www.ababilitynetwork.ca/
Aspire Calgary
Offers Matched Savings programs to incentivize individuals into saving money and participating in financial literacy education by matching their savings towards the purchase of productive assets, such as education, housing or starting a small business.
Website: https://aspirecalgary.org/matched-savings/
Canada Revenue Agencies – Free Tax Clinics
The Canada Revenue Agency offers free tax clinics for to help low-income individuals and families with taxes and related questions
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program/need-a-hand-complete-your-tax-return.html
Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities offers grants available to students with disabilities.
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/grants/disabilities.html
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities has education-related services and equipment.
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/disabilities-service-equipment.html
Connections for Families
Connections for Families provides financial coaching for individuals and families with cognitive challenges.
Email: info@connectionsforfamilies.ca
Phone: (403) 209-1100
Website: www.connectionsforfamilies.ca/
Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES)
A government program that has 3 main sections of funding support for individuals facing barriers to employment / educational training due to a disability. The three sections are “Job Search Supports”, “Workplace Supports”, and “Education Supports”.
Phone: (877) 644-9992
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/disability-related-employment-supports.aspx
Independent Living Resource Center of Calgary (ILRCC)
Is an organization committed to empowering individuals 18+ with disabilities throughout Alberta. They have a website database to help caregivers find respite workers. They provide help with AISH Applications & Appeals, PDD Applications, City of Calgary Fee Entry Program, Housing Applications and more. They offer Social Skills programs, Community Access, Support Independent Living Program and have programs for Cooking, Art & Crafts, Yoga, Bowling, Social evening, Music and Dance, ASL and more.
Email: info@ilrcca.ab.ca
Phone: (403) 263-6880
Website: www.ilrcc.ab.ca/
MRMB Services Inc. Balancing the Books
Monique Bernault offers Funds Administrator Assistance (FSCD, FMS, SMC), small business bookkeeping, business setup/payroll, transition planning and more.
Email: bremaultm100@gmail.com
Phone: (403) 730-7770
Website: www.mrmbservicesinc.com
Sicoli Financial
Stephen Sicoli is dedicated to helping individuals and families build a secure financial future. He provides the right tools, strategies, and resources to create long-term financial growth while protecting what matters most. With a special focus on families with disabilities, Stephen simplifies the complexities of personal finance, guiding clients through Disability Tax Credit applications and uncovering valuable provincial and federal benefits. His goal is to make financial planning accessible, empowering families to feel confident and in control of their future.
Email: stephen@stephensicoli.com
Phone: (780) 266-8466
Website: www.stephensicoli.com
Sinneave Family Foundation
Provides financial scholarships and awards for Autistic Individuals. Sinneave operates The Ability Hub, a 17,000-square-foot space located on The University of Calgary campus. The Ability Hub is a true hub of innovation and collaboration where Sinneave is actively involved in program development and service delivery, and where they host partner organizations and activities that support the transition to adulthood for autistic individuals.
Website: https://sinneavefoundation.org/about-us-sinneave/scholarships/
Steven Williams
Financial advisor, Disability Tax Credit and RDSP Specialist with deep expertise in supporting individuals and families navigating the world of disability savings in Canada. Steven has dedicated his practice to helping people understand and make the most of the Registered Disability Savings Plan, or RDSP—a powerful but often underused tool for long-term financial security. He works closely with families, caregivers, and community organizations to simplify complex systems, access available government grants and bonds, and build personalized financial strategies for the future. For some people no deposits are even required to get money from the government to ensure a better future. With years of experience and a strong commitment to advocacy and education, Steven ensures that his clients not only get set up with the right plans, but also receive long-term guidance and continuity of care—especially important when planning across generations.
Email: steven@rdsplan.ca
Phone: (403) 257-6235 x225
Website: www.smallbusinessaccountants.ca/
Voice of Albertans with Disabilities
Among myriad other advocacy- and support-related programs, this organization offers aid in filling out essential disability-related paperwork, such as for AISH, DTC, DATS, and more. Their website offers checklists and video guides to help in this, as well as being available for personal appointments to provide individualized aid. The organization also offers a small number of education-related bursaries.
Email: vad@vadsociety.ca
Phone: (780)-488-9088
Website: https://vadsociety.ca/support
Money Management Support
Government of Canada – Managing your Money
The Government of Canada has a resource page to help with money management. They include a variety of different tools, information and resources. These topics can include housing, budget planning, insurance, credit reports and scores, managing your money in challenging times, banking, life events, retirement, payment options, financial rights and responsibilities, and how to handle recieving a large sum of money. They also include grocery spending information, life events financial information, and tools and calculators to help with any and all sort of budgeting and money management questions.
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/finance/manage.html
Government of Canada – Getting Help from a Credit Counsellor
You may be having trouble paying back your debt or keeping up with your payments. In this case, you may want to talk to a credit counsellor. Simply talking to them won’t affect your credit score. A credit counselling agency can provide a range of services, such as one-on-one counselling
group courses, tips and seminars on topics such as budgeting and using credit wisely
debt management plans. Do your research to find a trustworthy organization and a qualified counsellor. Make sure you know what services they offer and how much they cost.
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/debt/debt-help.html
Credit Counselling Society
The Credit Counselling Society is a non-profit organization helping people solve their debt problems, and spending problems. They help create budgets, tackle debts, achieve your goals, and sleep well knowing you are in a good financial place. Along with debt help, they also have resources on financial education.
Phone: 1 (888) 936-4301
Email: info@nomoredebts.org
Website: https://nomoredebts.org/
Money Mentors
The only Alberta-based, non-profit credit counselling, debt consolidation, and financial education agency. Luckily, when the debt becomes too much, Albertans can turn to people who understand. Money Mentors is passionate about creating a healthier financial future for the entire province. They offer debt help, financial education, and money tips to help you feel confident in your financial habits.
Phone: (403) 265-2201
Website: https://moneymentors.ca/
Carya
When financial resources for proper housing, healthy food, and essential needs are lacking, our health and social well-being are impacted. From the immediate challenges of meeting basic needs to broader issues such as social isolation, family dynamics, and mental health – financial difficulties can have a profound impact on our overall well-being. Carya walks alongside individuals (18+) and families as they navigate systems and services to enhance their living conditions and quality of life by connecting individuals and families with resources that enhance financial literacy.
Phone: (403) 205-5244
Website: https://caryacalgary.ca/get-support/financial-wellness/
Momentum Money Matters
Money Matters is a partnership between Momentum, YWCA Calgary, The Alex, and Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS) that provides financial literacy support and services to individuals living with mental health or addiction challenges.
Email: money.matters@c-a-s-s.org
Phone: (403) 283-9173
Government Funding, Benefits & Credits
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
A federal tax credit that may reduce the income tax amount that an individual with a disability or their caregiver has to pay.
Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL)
A program that provides funding for basic medical equipment and supplies for Albertans with long-term disabilities, chronic illness or terminal illness so clients can live independently at home and within their communities.
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-aids-to-daily-living
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Canadians who qualify for the DTC can open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The RDSP is a long-term savings plan meant to support individuals with a disability in their futures.
Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
A federal benefit for low-income Canadians with disabilities. Must have applied for DTC to receive this in Alberta.
Website: https://www.canadadisabilitybenefit.ca/
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) is a provincial program that provides financial assistance and health benefits to eligible adults with permanent medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from earning a sustainable income.
Email: calgaryaish@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 1 (866) 334-6950
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/aish.aspx
Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
A Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit is a monthly payment that you could receive if you are over 18 and under 65 years old and unable to work because of a disability.
Phone: 1 (800) 277-9914
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp-disability-benefit.html
Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)
PDD ( Persons with Developmental Disabilities Program) is an Alberta government funding program. Its target population is adult Albertans ( over 18 yrs) with developmental disabilities. This program aims to assist them to be a part of their communities and live as independently as they can. Individuals who qualify, receive a yearly renewable contract with specific benefits, based on the specific disability-related needs and circumstances, different individuals will have different contracts. PDD aims to fund individualized services for each individual. This program can also remain flexible as the person grows and their needs change. The decisions on what benefits will be funded, is made as a result of ongoing collaboration process between the department and the individual or his/her representative. To find out more information, visit our PDD page: https://autismcalgary.com/information/pdd/
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/persons-with-developmental-disabilities-pdd.aspx
Phone: 1 (877) 644-9992