In Alberta, people who are unable to work due to a severe disability may be eligible to sign up for the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program, or AISH for short. This program would provide them with a minimum income high enough to cover general living expenses. Since 2018, some recipients of the AISH program receive as much as $1,685 per month with an added $200 a month for any child who is dependent on them, and another $100 extra any other children who may be dependent on them.
In addition, some recipients may also be eligible to receive AISH Health Benefits that provide coverage for prescription medication, eye examinations, ambulance fees, diabetic supplies, and dental services. AISH also provides further medical benefits, such as hearing aids, physiotherapy, and massages, to certain recipients after they have been approved.
Meeting The Qualifications
In order to be eligible for the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program, you cannot be a recipient of Old Age Security, which is available to senior citizens above the age of 65. Furthermore, you must also have applied to all other benefit programs available to you, such as the Employment Insurance program, or EI for short, the Worker’s Compensation Board, or WCB for short, or the Canada Pension Plan Disability, or CPP-D, which is also available to senior citizens above the age of 65.
Meeting The Medical Qualifications
In order to be medically eligible to become a recipient of the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program, you will need to have a medical condition which has been proven to be highly likely to be permanent, and is also the main reason that you are unable to have a steady income. More specifically, you will need to provide evidence for the following:
• You are mentally and/or physically impaired by your condition
• Said impairment is what makes you unable to have an income
• No therapy can make you capable of earning a living due to the medically assumed permanence of your condition
Furthermore, you will need to provide evidence that you have either searched for an employment position which you have either accepted or even maintained, or that you have undergone reasonable rehabilitation and training efforts in an attempt to seek employment and earn a living.
Meeting Financial Requirements
The Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program is meant to be a last resort for the heavily disabled.Thus, if you have been rendered immobile or struggling with catastrophic injuries, it is important to ensure that you consult with a personal injury lawyer in Medicine Hat that can help you with filing a claim and winning the entitled settlement amount.