Financial planning

Smaller benefit hikes coming for hundreds of thousands of Albertans relying on provincial programs

New legislation would also regulate potential halal mortgages. Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner, right, announces proposed changes to finance law at the legislature in Edmonton on Nov. 4, 2024. Children’s Services Minister … READ MORE

Feds ‘committed to doing more,’ but minister offers no timeline for Canadian Disability Benefit boost

Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Kamal Khera rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle Spencer Van Dyk, … READ MORE

Ombudsman says Alberta government must fix unfair rules for disability benefit applicants

Outdated rules have remained unchanged for a decade. Alberta Ombudsman Kevin Brezinski said the government’s Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program must reconsider a 21-year-old man’s application for … READ MORE

Concerns raised over support backlog for children with disabilities

Families and advocates of children with disabilities are concerned about backlogs in the system leaving some without support. Photo credit: Juan Pablo, Pexels. July 18, 2018 Alesia Fieldberg, CTV News Calgary September 6, 2024 Some … READ MORE

‘Not enough’: Experts say maximum AISH benefit still puts recipients below poverty line

Alberta’s income support program for people with a disability is below the poverty line and not providing Albertans with a living wage, experts said. Community, Seniors and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon. Photo by Greg … READ MORE

Alberta parents of children with disabilities say they’re running out of daycare options

‘At some point will one of us have to just stop working because we don’t have an option?’ Some Alberta parents of children with disabilities say their daycare options are limited. CBC/Radio-Canada Emily Rae Pasiuk, … READ MORE

AISH caseloads have ballooned over the past decade. What’s driving that?

Albertans receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped up 57% The steady rise in people receiving benefits through the province’s Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program hit 75,554 in October. CBC Elise … READ MORE

AISH recipients form grassroots group to raise awareness, dispel myths around the program

“We’re fighting to be recognized as autonomous human beings that deserve dignity,” advocate says. Janet Nass and Thomas Cheesman are two members of the newly formed group, AISH Recipients In Search of Equity (ARISE). … READ MORE

Younger doctors call for more attention to disabled patients

Jerry is a 53 year old father of four children. He’s independent, has a house, raised a family and his adult kids still look to him for support. Jerry recently retired as a computer programmer in 2009, and competes and coaches in … READ MORE

Alberta government to re-index AISH, seniors benefits to inflation

People like Mary Salvani, who rely on AISH benefits to cover their basic expenses, have had their benefits frozen for the past three years while the cost of living rose substantially. Monty Kruger CBC

Critics say the move won’t help people living in poverty catch up with rising costs. People like Mary Salvani, who rely on AISH benefits to cover their basic expenses, have had their benefits frozen for the past three years … READ MORE

Time for fast action on a Canada Disability Benefit

Over one million Canadians with disabilities live in poverty. If implemented, this new benefit will work in the same manner as the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canadian Child Benefit. Photo by Marcus Aurelius from Pexels By … READ MORE

Canadians with disabilities getting new benefit — but critics say it’s coming late and with few details

Bill creating monthly disability benefit for working-age Canadians died when Trudeau called 2021 election. The Liberal government has reintroduced legislation to create a monthly disability benefit payment for working age Canadians. … READ MORE

Children with disabilities getting inconsistent government support, Alberta auditor general finds

Only 1 in 5 staff had completed all of their mandatory training, report says. Auditor General Doug Wylie has found inconsistencies with a program that helps families with the costs of raising and caring for children with disabilities. … READ MORE

A wheelchair user’s guide to preparing for college

College Friends study outdoors on campus. New Mobility Annie Tulkin, New Mobility January 31, 2022 “Congratulations! It is with great pleasure that I offer you admission to the college of your choice.” These are the words that … READ MORE

How a worker shortage is affecting Albertans with disabilities and their families

Disability workers say a chronic problem has become a crisis in some parts of the province. MIchael Marchuk, 47, is currently living with his brother Stan in Vancouver because of a lack of disability support workers in his Alberta … READ MORE

CERB helped Canadians during COVID-19 — but not the most vulnerable

To coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, Statistics Canada released new data about workers with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low employment rates, coupled with limited government … READ MORE

Pandemic disproportionately affects those with disabilities and chronic health conditions

‘The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities,’ says UTM professor David Pettinicchio, who launched a national online survey of 1,027 Canadians with disabilities and chronic health conditions to find out how … READ MORE

Taxes and disability benefits: Maximizing the opportunities

A disabled person may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. If you have never applied for this benefit before and you happen to qualify for it, you can request that Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) adjust your previous years’ tax … READ MORE

New report raises critical issues around disability rights in Alberta

13 advocates, known as Radical Inclusion, compiled report for U.N. committee. Roxanne Ulanicki is the lead facilitator of the Radical Inclusion report that was submitted to the United Nations on Tuesday. Submitted by Roxanne Ulanicki … READ MORE

Appeal dismissal puts Alberta young adults transitioning out of government care in limbo

Alberta government says recipients losing benefits are eligible for extension. Lawyer Avnish Nanda says the government is putting hundreds of marginalized young adults at a greater risk by losing the person who most closely resembles … READ MORE

Alberta urged to reconsider cutting off hundreds of young adults from financial support

Province says young Albertans leaving program will be set up with right support. A current and former government employee in Children’s Services say adult programs don’t meet the complex needs of young adults transitioning … READ MORE

Equity in access and use of rehabilitation services in Canada

Two Canadians, equal under the law. Only one gets rehabilitation services. What gives? By Nivetha Chandran, rehabinkmag February 4, 2021 To answer this question, we must start by understanding what the Canadian healthcare system is … READ MORE

Government-run homes for disabled Albertans will not be privatized

Families express relief and joy at decision to maintain status quo. Brenda Waluk holds the hand of her granddaughter Taelyr in the back garden of Rosecrest Home in Edmonton during a visit last summer. Trevor Wilson CBC Michelle … READ MORE

‘What does this mean for us?’ People with developmental disabilities left out of vaccination planning

As COVID-19 vaccine distribution and prioritization plans roll out across Canada, people with developmental disabilities, their families, support workers and community agencies have been asking: What does this mean for us? Dr. Yona … READ MORE

My story in a nutshell, Part 2: The road to college

It was on a weekend in March 2017. My high school classmates told me to check my admissions portal for the University of Southern California (USC). Wallis Annenberg Hall at the University of Southern California’s University Park … READ MORE

AISH date change made to make finances look better, auditor general says

‘It was done on the backs of disabled Albertans,’ opposition critic Marie Renaud says. Community and Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney repeatedly told the legislature the benefit dates were changed to provide more … READ MORE

20% of disabled Albertans who need workplace modifications don’t get them

Advocates say employers are changing for the better. Experts say it’s often small adjustments that make a big difference for disabled staff in a work environment. Alexander Zemlianichenko, Associated Press Amy Tucker, CBC News … READ MORE

MLA’s AISH experiment likely won’t change government’s mind, advocates say

St. Albert NDP MLA Marie Renaud has vowed to live on $1,685 in October. NDP MLA Marie Renaud is spending October living on $1,685, the amount a single person on AISH receives each month. CBC Michelle Bellefontaine, CBC News … READ MORE

October is disability employment awareness month

Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) is an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of Disability Employment Awareness Month is to promote employment inclusion for people with disabilities and … READ MORE

Leave AISH payments alone, Opposition and advocates tell Alberta government

Government hasn’t ruled out a program cut. Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley says Community and Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney should reassure AISH recipients their payments will not be cut. A report suggests the … READ MORE

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