Title: Albertans Share Experiences Living on Disability Assistance

The recent announcement by the Alberta government to transition individuals receiving disability assistance to a new program has sparked fear and frustration within the community. The proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) will reduce monthly assistance by $200, leaving many feeling isolated and stigmatized. Advocates argue that this change further marginalizes an already vulnerable population and perpetuates harmful stereotypes about disabilities.

Doug Manderville, president of Voice of Albertans with Disabilities, emphasized the daily struggles faced by those living with disabilities. "Ask them how many square meals a day they get, how many leisure activities they get to attend, how many doctor appointments they can go to," he said. He pointed out that many individuals live in substandard housing due to a lack of accessible and affordable options in Alberta.

Currently, the Assured Income for Severely Handicapped (AISH) program provides a maximum of $1,901 per month without requiring recipients to work. However, under the new ADAP, individuals will be required to seek employment, and only those deemed permanently unable to work can reapply for AISH, a process that can take months.

Korrigan Templeton, who has relied on AISH since 2019, shared their experience. "I wish I could tell people that relying on social supports isn’t like being on vacation," they said. Templeton, who manages multiple disabilities, including PTSD, chronic pain, and depression, described the difficulty of leaving their job due to health issues. "I worked at a warehouse, taking orders, and I loved it. I was so sad that my body couldn’t handle it," they recalled.

Templeton receives over $2,000 monthly from both provincial and federal programs, most of which goes toward rent, groceries, and medical expenses. They expressed the challenge of managing their health while trying to maintain a social life. "I feel like I’m not reliable as a friend, which sucks," Templeton said, noting that their interactions are often limited to online communication due to their health.

Another individual, who requested to remain anonymous, has lived with scoliosis and spina bifida since infancy. She began receiving AISH in 2012 after facing workplace discrimination. "My hours were getting cut for basically no reason at all," she explained. She noted that employers often dismissed her due to her wheelchair, limiting her job opportunities.

Currently, she works part-time and receives about $1,600 monthly from AISH, which helps her manage her bills and save a little. However, she recalled the difficulties she faced before finding employment, stating, "There were months where I had to choose which bills to pay because I just didn’t have enough for everything."

The new ADAP will also impose taxes on personal income exceeding $350 a month, a significant change from AISH, where the taxable income threshold begins above $1,000. This shift raises concerns about the financial stability of those relying on disability assistance.

Both Templeton and the anonymous individual expressed worries about the upcoming changes and their potential impact on their lives. As the province prepares to implement the new program in 2026, many Albertans are left grappling with uncertainty about their future and the support they will receive.