Essential Resources
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH): A government financial income supplement for Albertans who have limited ability to attain/maintain employment. They provide monthly income, health benefits, as well as financial benefits for those caring for adult dependants for eligible people.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC): A government tax credit that reduces the amount of income tax that a person with a disability and/or their caregiver has to pay.
Office of the Public Guardian and Trusteeship: A government program that assists families with matters regarding legal decision making, co-decision making, supported decision making, adult guardianship, and trusteeship.
Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD): A government financial supplement program that provides financial support for “Community Living Supports”, “Employment Supports”, “Community Access Supports”, and “Specialized Community Supports” for eligible people.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP): A savings plan that helps parents and caregivers save for financial security of an individual who has a disability. To be eligible for the RDSP, the individual must be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
Financial/Funding Resources
Alberta Ability Network: Advocacy for poverty reduction, assistance with AISH applications.
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.
Canada Revenue Agencies – Free Tax Clinics: For low-income individuals and families.
Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities: Grants available to students with disabilities
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities: Education-related services and equipment.
Connections Counselling & Consulting Foundation: Provides financial coaching for individuals and families with cognitive challenges. Compatible with Registered Disability Savings Plan supports and the C.A.S.H. (Creating A Stable Home) matched savings program.
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”.
Independent Living Resource Centre Calgary (ILRCC): Their Personal Empowerment Program helps with AISH applications, AISH appeals, PDD funding info, RDSP info and budgeting.
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.
Sinneave Family Foundation: Provides financial scholarships and awards for individuals living with ASD. 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.
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.
Williams, Steve (Financial Consultant): They are registered psychologists who specialize in court-involved issues, including the treatment and assessment of individuals, couples and families involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings.
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.
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.
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.
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.