Civic Guide · Alberta
Alberta AISH vs ADAP Disability Supports Guide
Alberta now runs two Disability Income Assistance programs: AISH and ADAP. This guide explains how they differ, how the single application works, and what to do next.
Quick summary
- Alberta has two disability income programs: AISH and ADAP.
- AISH generally serves adults whose severe disability permanently prevents employment. ADAP serves adults whose severe disability significantly impedes employment but does not prevent it.
- New applicants use one Disability Income Assistance (DIA) application. Alberta decides whether you are placed on AISH or ADAP.
- Working is permitted under both programs, but exemption levels and how earnings affect monthly financial benefits differ substantially.
Who this guide is for
Applying for the first time
You need orientation on the combined application, medical evidence, and how Alberta routes you to AISH or ADAP.
Currently on ADAP
You may want clarity on higher employment exemptions, health-benefit continuity, and when to seek an AISH reassessment if your condition changes.
Currently on AISH
You may need to understand ongoing AISH rules, federal reporting requirements, and whether July 2026 transition rules apply to your file.
Moved from AISH to ADAP in July 2026
You may qualify for a temporary $200/month transition benefit through December 31, 2027, and can later seek AISH reassessment with one covered medical report.
AISH vs ADAP
Both programs share a single application, but the medical and employment tests differ. AISH living allowance maximums cite the AISH Financial Benefits Summary (Rev. January 2026). August 2026 earnings exemptions, couple rates, and child benefits cite the current Disability Income Assistance/ADAP page. Do not use the January PDF's older employment figures for current AISH exemptions.
| Dimension | AISH | ADAP |
|---|---|---|
| Program purpose | Financial and health benefits for adults with a severe disability that permanently prevents employment. | Financial, health, and employment supports for adults with a severe disability that significantly impedes employment continuously or episodically. |
| Medical / employment test | Severe disability permanently prevents employment. A diagnosis alone does not decide the program. | Severe disability significantly impedes employment but does not prevent it. Not currently working does not automatically mean AISH. |
| Age and residency | At least 18, not eligible for Old Age Security, live in Alberta, Canadian citizen or permanent resident. | Same general age, residency, and citizenship rules as AISH. |
| Application route | One combined Disability Income Assistance application for AISH and ADAP. You do not choose separate AISH vs ADAP applications. | Same combined DIA application. Alberta places eligible applicants in the program that fits their medical and employment profile. |
| Core monthly financial benefit | $1,940/month living allowance maximum for a single adult (AISH Financial Benefits Summary, Rev. January 2026). When two adults in a household both receive AISH/ADAP, each receives 88% of the individual maximum (current Disability Income Assistance/ADAP page, August 2026). | $1,740/month core financial benefit for a single adult (current Alberta ADAP page). Same 88% couple rate when both adults receive disability income assistance. |
| Employment income exemption | $350/month for a single adult or parent (current Disability Income Assistance/ADAP page, August 2026). $1,500/month for a cohabiting partner when both receive AISH or ADAP. | $700/month single, $1,100/month parent with one or more dependent children, $1,500/month cohabiting partner when both receive disability income assistance. |
| Earnings above the exemption | Employment income above the exemption reduces the monthly living allowance dollar for dollar. | Deductions above the exemption are graduated (not a simple flat percentage). Employment income may rise as high as $45,240 annually while some financial benefit remains. Use Alberta's official benefit estimator for your household. |
| Health benefits | Health benefits alongside the living allowance, subject to program rules. | Health benefits continue regardless of employment earnings, including when employment income is too high for a monthly financial payment, subject to current program rules. |
| Assets | Non-exempt assets generally cannot exceed $100,000 combined. Principal residence, a vehicle, RDSPs, certain trusts, and other categories may be exempt. | Same $100,000 non-exempt asset ceiling and similar exempt categories. Asset type and exemptions matter, not just cash on hand. |
| If ability to work changes | Report changes promptly. Some AISH clients transitioned to ADAP in July 2026; others automatically remained on AISH. | ADAP clients may apply for AISH reassessment if their medical condition progresses. Former AISH clients who transitioned may return to AISH if they meet criteria. |
Applying: one Disability Income Assistance application
You do not submit separate AISH and ADAP applications. Alberta reviews one file and decides program placement.
Start the combined DIA application
Apply online through Alberta's Disability Income Assistance application or use the printable form if online access is difficult.
Gather financial documents
Include your Notice of Assessment and information on income, assets, and household members. Alberta reviews you and your spouse or partner's finances.
Complete the Disability Assistance Medical Report
Your health professional completes the medical report. You are generally responsible for any fee unless Income Support covers it while you wait.
After submission
Alberta may request more information. If approved, benefits are backdated to the month the program received all information required for approval. If denied, you receive reasons and appeal rights.
While you wait
Contact Alberta Supports about Income Support or other interim help. AISH and ADAP approval is not immediate.
July and August 2026 changes
July 2026 introduced ADAP and moved some existing AISH clients. August 2026 adjusted couple and child benefit rates.
Who automatically remained on AISH (July 2026)
Existing AISH clients in groups such as age 60+, continuing care homes, palliative or terminal conditions, and certain severe/profound developmental disabilities or PDD eligibility generally remained on AISH unless they chose ADAP for higher employment exemptions.
Who transitioned to ADAP (July 2026)
Other existing AISH clients moved to ADAP on July 2, 2026. This does not apply to every new ADAP applicant today.
$200/month transition benefit (former AISH cohort only)
AISH clients who transitioned to ADAP in July 2026 may receive a $200/month transition benefit intended to maintain their prior financial-benefit level through December 31, 2027. New ADAP applicants do not automatically receive this amount.
Covered AISH medical report
Alberta covers one Disability Medical Report for affected former AISH clients who later seek AISH assessment. This support is not time-limited.
Families and couples (August 2026 benefit period)
When two adults in a household both receive AISH and/or ADAP, each receives 88% of the maximum individual benefit (current Disability Income Assistance/ADAP page, August 2026). Monthly child benefits: $300 first child, $117 second, $88 third, $59 fourth, $30 each additional child.
Working and earnings
Both programs allow employment income, but ADAP is structured for substantially higher earnings thresholds. This guide does not calculate your cheque.
Monthly employment exemptions (August 2026)
AISH single or parent: $350/month. ADAP single: $700/month. ADAP parent with dependent children: $1,100/month. Cohabiting partner when both receive disability income assistance: $1,500/month for AISH or ADAP. Figures from the current Disability Income Assistance/ADAP page (August 2026), not the January 2026 AISH Financial Benefits Summary.
ADAP graduated reductions
Above its exemption, ADAP uses graduated deductions, not a simple dollar-for-dollar clawback. Alberta publishes earnings up to $45,240 annually while some financial benefit may remain. Use Alberta's official AISH/ADAP benefit estimator for individualized amounts.
ADAP health benefits and high earnings
ADAP health benefits continue regardless of employment earnings, including when monthly financial benefits end due to high employment income, subject to current program rules.
Employment supports without losing ADAP
Current Alberta guidance states that an ADAP client who cannot find work after receiving employment supports continues to receive financial and health benefits. An unsuccessful job search alone does not end ADAP.
Federal stacking
Federal and provincial tests differ. Alberta requires you to pursue and report other income you may be eligible for, including CDB and CPP-D.
Disability Tax Credit (Form T2201)
DTC approval is separate from AISH/ADAP medical eligibility. DTC can unlock RDSP and Canada Disability Benefit opportunities but does not establish provincial disability income eligibility.
Canada Disability Benefit (reporting and offsets)
Alberta requires AISH and ADAP recipients to apply for CDB if eligible and to report approval, denial, and amounts. CDB is not treated like Saskatchewan's exempt stack: Alberta counts CDB as income that can reduce monthly disability income assistance. For AISH clients whose CDB decision had not been made by February 28, 2026, Alberta applied a presumed $200/month reduction beginning with April 2026 benefits. Both programs must report CDB/DTC outcomes going forward. Confirm your file with Alberta Supports.
RDSP
RDSP assets and payments are listed among exempt or specially treated categories on current Alberta eligibility pages, but withdrawals can still affect income tests. Verify wording on the official AISH/ADAP eligibility pages.
CPP disability (CPP-D)
An applicant's or client's CPP-D is generally non-exempt pension income counted at full value against the monthly living allowance. It is not a clean additive layer on top of AISH or ADAP.
Order of operations
Use this sequence to reduce duplicate paperwork and avoid gaps between provincial and federal layers.
1. Check whether Disability Income Assistance fits
Review whether your disability pattern sounds like permanent prevention of employment (AISH track) or significant impediment with remaining work capacity (ADAP track). Alberta makes the final call.
2. Gather financial and medical information
Collect tax documents, asset records, banking details, and medical evidence for the Disability Assistance Medical Report.
3. Complete the combined DIA application
Submit the single AISH/ADAP application and medical report. Do not try to self-select the program on separate forms.
4. Respond to follow-up requests
Answer Alberta Supports quickly if more financial or medical information is needed. Delays can push back your effective start month.
5. Understand your program placement
If approved, confirm whether you are on AISH or ADAP and ask how employment income, couple rules, and child benefits apply to your household.
6. Pursue and report federal supports
File for DTC, CDB, RDSP, and CPP-D where relevant. Report outcomes to Alberta using the federal disability supports form when required.
Common pitfalls
I have to choose whether to apply for AISH or ADAP
There is one combined Disability Income Assistance application. Alberta determines program placement after reviewing medical and financial information.
If I work at all, I cannot get AISH
Employment income is permitted under AISH and ADAP subject to monthly exemptions and reduction rules. Working does not automatically disqualify you from either program.
DTC approval means I qualify for AISH
The CRA and Alberta use different medical and financial tests. DTC helps with federal layers but does not establish AISH or ADAP eligibility.
CDB always stacks on top of provincial disability benefits
Alberta requires you to pursue CDB and counts it as income that can reduce AISH or ADAP cheques. Do not assume Saskatchewan-style exemption rules apply in Alberta.
Everyone moved from AISH to ADAP in July 2026
Specified groups automatically remained on AISH. Transition rules apply only to the cohort that moved in July 2026, not to all ADAP recipients.
The $200 ADAP transition payment applies to every ADAP client
The $200/month transition benefit is for former AISH clients who transitioned to ADAP in July 2026 through December 31, 2027, not for every new ADAP applicant.
Official government sources
Last reviewed for this tool: 2026-08-15. Amounts may change.
- Disability Income Assistance overview
- Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
- Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP)
- How to apply for AISH and ADAP
- Official AISH/ADAP benefit estimator
- AISH Financial Benefits Summary (Rev. January 2026)
- Apply for federal disability supports (CDB/DTC reporting)
- AISH/ADAP policy manual
- Canada Disability Benefit and DTC fact sheet (AISH recipients)
- Canada Pension Plan disability benefit (Service Canada)
- Official DTC page (canada.ca)
- Canada Disability Benefit guide
Planning information, not a benefit decision
MyEligible does not decide whether you belong on AISH or ADAP. Use this guide to prepare questions for Alberta Supports and your worker.
Official sources last reviewed August 15, 2026.
Answers below match the structured FAQ on this page. They are for planning only; confirm final eligibility with Alberta Supports and the CRA.
Frequently asked questions
AISH serves adults whose severe disability permanently prevents employment. ADAP serves adults whose severe disability significantly impedes employment continuously or episodically but does not prevent employment. Both use one combined application.
This is not an eligibility test
Official sources last reviewed August 15, 2026.