ADAP Appeals Explained: What Albertans with Disabilities Need to Know
The Government of Alberta has released information explaining the ADAP appeal hearing process, including which Alberta Disability Assistance Program decisions can be challenged, how hearings are conducted, what documents people may receive and what happens after a decision is made.
You can read the government’s complete information here:
Government of Alberta: ADAP Appeal Hearing
There is a lot to understand. ADAP uses two different appeal panels, medical appeals are handled differently from non-medical appeals, and some major decisions cannot be appealed at all.
I have reviewed the government’s information and broken it down into plain language.
Can you appeal being moved from AISH to ADAP?
No. The Government of Alberta says the decision to transfer someone’s file from AISH to ADAP cannot be appealed.
That is the most important thing people need to understand.
The existence of an ADAP appeal process does not mean that someone can appeal the government’s original decision to move them from AISH to ADAP.
You cannot file an appeal simply because:
You believe you should have remained on AISH.
You disagree with being placed on ADAP.
You are concerned about employment expectations under ADAP.
You believe the government misunderstood your disability.
You disagree with how ADAP was created or designed.
However, certain decisions made about your ADAP medical eligibility, general eligibility, finances or benefits may be appealed.
That distinction matters.
What can you appeal under ADAP?
ADAP has two types of appeal panels.
The panel that reviews your case depends on whether you are challenging a medical or non-medical decision.
Citizen’s Appeal Panel for non-medical ADAP decisions
The Citizen’s Appeal Panel, also known as the CAP, reviews non-medical decisions.
These may include decisions about:
Your general eligibility for ADAP, including age and Alberta residency.
Your financial eligibility.
A decision to change, stop or not approve a monthly benefit.
A decision involving a non-medical benefit.
The date your ADAP benefits begin.
Whether you have an overpayment or underpayment.
The Citizen’s Appeal Panel is made up of private citizens who are not Government of Alberta employees. The panel may agree with, reverse or change part of the program’s decision.
Medical Appeal Panel for ADAP medical decisions
The Medical Appeal Panel, also known as the MAP, reviews certain medical eligibility decisions.
These may include:
Whether you have what the legislation calls a “severe disability.”
Whether you are medically eligible for ADAP.
Whether your disability prevents you from working.
Whether your case should be referred to the AISH Medical Review Panel for an AISH eligibility determination.
The Medical Appeal Panel is made up of health professionals who are not Government of Alberta employees.
Which ADAP and AISH decisions cannot be appealed?
According to the Government of Alberta, two major decisions cannot be appealed through this process:
The transfer of your file from AISH to ADAP.
A decision determining that you are not medically eligible for AISH, including a decision made by the AISH Medical Review Panel.
This creates an important and troubling limitation.
A Medical Appeal Panel may review whether your case should be referred to the AISH Medical Review Panel. However, once the AISH Medical Review Panel decides that you are not medically eligible for AISH, the government says that medical decision cannot be appealed through the regular appeal system.
In plain language, you may be able to appeal whether your case should be sent forward for an AISH review, but you cannot appeal the final medical decision made by the AISH Medical Review Panel.
That is not a small technical detail. It could have a major impact on someone’s income and future.
Can you apply for AISH after being moved to ADAP?
The Government of Alberta says people who were moved from AISH to ADAP can apply for AISH beginning July 2, 2026.
The province also says it will cover the cost of one Disability Income Assistance medical report for people who transitioned to ADAP and decide to apply for AISH.
Applying for AISH is different from appealing the transfer to ADAP.
You are not asking an appeal panel to reverse your transfer. You are submitting an application and asking to be assessed under the current AISH eligibility rules.
How long do you have to appeal an ADAP decision?
You generally have 30 days to appeal after receiving a decision about your ADAP eligibility or benefits.
Your decision letter should explain:
What decision was made.
Whether the decision can be appealed.
How to file an appeal.
The deadline for filing it.
You may appeal by completing a Notice of Appeal form or by writing an appeal letter containing the required information.
The government recommends keeping copies of every document you submit.
My advice is simple: do not wait until the final day.
Keep the letter, email and envelope showing when you received the decision. If you were told about the decision by telephone, write down the date, time and name of the person you spoke with.
What happens if you miss the 30-day appeal deadline?
You can ask the Appeals Secretariat for more time.
You will need to explain:
When you received the decision.
When you learned that you had 30 days to appeal.
Why you were unable to file the appeal before the deadline.
The request will be reviewed by the Minister’s delegate at the Appeals Secretariat.
An extension is not guaranteed. If the request is refused, the appeal will be closed without going before an appeal panel.
What happens after you file an ADAP appeal?
After the appeal is filed, the Appeals Secretariat will send you confirmation that it was received.
The ADAP program will then review the documents used to make the original decision. Someone from the program may contact you to discuss the issue and determine whether it can be resolved without a hearing.
If the matter is not resolved, the Appeals Secretariat will schedule an appeal hearing. You will receive an explanation of why the program is not changing its decision, along with copies of the documents it used.
How should you prepare for an ADAP appeal hearing?
Once the hearing is scheduled, the Appeals Secretariat will send you documents explaining why the original decision was made.
Review everything carefully.
Look for:
Missing medical information.
Incorrect financial information.
Statements that do not accurately describe your disability.
Information that was misunderstood or taken out of context.
Documents you submitted that are not included.
Incorrect dates, income amounts or personal details.
Assumptions that are not supported by the documents.
Do not assume the panel will automatically identify every error.
Write down:
What decision you are appealing.
Why you believe the decision is wrong.
Which documents support your position.
What decision you want the panel to make.
The Appeals Secretariat is supposed to send the appeal package to you, the program and the panel at least one week before the hearing.
Contact the Appeals Secretariat immediately if you do not receive the package, documents are missing or you disagree with information contained in it.
Can you request accommodations for an ADAP appeal?
Yes.
You or your support person can request reasonable accommodations to participate in or prepare for the appeal hearing.
This may include:
An American Sign Language interpreter.
Interpretation in another language.
Communication assistance.
Accessible documents.
Disability-related assistance preparing information.
Other reasonable accommodations needed to participate.
Contact the Appeals Secretariat as soon as you receive your hearing information. Do not wait until the hearing date unless the need arises unexpectedly.
Can someone support you during an ADAP appeal?
Yes.
You may authorize another person to act on your behalf. You may also invite people to support you or speak about your medical, financial or personal circumstances.
This could include:
A family member.
A friend.
An advocate.
A legal representative.
A guardian or trustee.
Another person familiar with your situation.
You will normally need to complete an authorization form if someone will officially act for you or receive appeal information on your behalf.
For a Citizen’s Appeal Panel hearing, the government asks that you provide the Appeals Secretariat with the names of participating supporters at least three weeks before the hearing.
You are not required to have a supporter, but you should not be afraid to ask for help.
What happens at a Citizen’s Appeal Panel hearing?
Citizen’s Appeal Panel hearings are generally held by telephone or videoconference.
A hearing usually lasts approximately one hour. It is closed to the public and is not recorded.
The hearing follows six main steps.
Step 1: Introductions
The chair introduces everyone, reviews the rules and confirms that requested accommodations are in place.
The chair may also ask whether anyone objects to the panel members or their authority to decide the appeal.
Step 2: Review of the appeal package
The chair confirms that everyone received the appeal package and that the necessary documents are included.
Step 3: ADAP presents its information
The ADAP representative presents the program’s position first.
You and the panel will have an opportunity to ask questions after each person speaks.
Step 4: You present your information
You, your representative and approved supporters present your information.
You should clearly explain why you disagree with the decision and identify the documents that support your position.
The program representative and panel members may ask questions.
Step 5: Final summaries
ADAP summarizes its position first.
You or the person acting on your behalf then summarizes your position and explains what you are asking the panel to decide.
Step 6: The hearing ends
The chair closes the hearing and explains when you can expect the panel’s written decision.
What happens if you cannot attend the hearing?
You or the person officially acting on your behalf must participate in a scheduled Citizen’s Appeal Panel hearing.
Contact the Appeals Secretariat immediately if something unexpected prevents you from attending.
If the Secretariat cannot reach you, the panel may decide that you abandoned your appeal. That decision is final, your appeal will be closed and your right to appeal that decision will end.
How does a Medical Appeal Panel hearing work?
Medical Appeal Panel hearings are generally conducted through a document review only.
That means the panel normally reviews the written information submitted by you and the program without you attending or speaking directly to the panel.
A telephone, video or other type of hearing may only be arranged in exceptional circumstances.
This makes your written medical evidence extremely important.
Medical documents should do more than list a diagnosis. Where relevant, they should clearly explain how your disability affects your daily life and ability to work.
This may include your ability to:
Work regularly and predictably.
Attend work consistently.
Complete tasks safely.
Communicate or concentrate.
Manage pain, fatigue or other symptoms.
Travel to and from employment.
Complete daily activities.
Function without significant assistance or accommodation.
A diagnosis may identify your medical condition, but it does not always explain the barriers you experience.
The panel needs evidence that connects your medical condition to its actual effects on your life.
What happens after an ADAP appeal hearing?
The appeal panel will issue a written decision explaining its conclusions and reasons.
The panel’s decision is final within the program. The government says the panel cannot review new information after the hearing or change its decision.
You also cannot file another internal appeal against the appeal panel’s decision or the original program decision.
That is why it is important to provide all available evidence before the panel makes its decision.
What can you do if you believe the hearing was unfair?
The government identifies two options outside the regular ADAP appeal process.
File a complaint with the Alberta Ombudsman
The Alberta Ombudsman can review whether the appeal process was handled fairly.
The Ombudsman cannot personally reverse or change the appeal panel’s decision. However, the office can review the process and make recommendations, including recommending that the case be heard again.
Apply for judicial review
You may be able to apply to the Alberta Court of King’s Bench for judicial review.
Judicial review is not another appeal where the court makes a new decision about your ADAP eligibility.
Instead, the court considers whether the appeal panel:
Acted within its legal authority.
Followed a fair process.
Made a reasonable decision based on the situation.
If the court finds that the hearing was unfair, it may send the matter back to be heard by a different panel.
The government says an application for judicial review must be filed within six months from the date the appeal panel made its decision.
Anyone considering judicial review should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
My advice to anyone appealing an ADAP decision
Keep everything.
Keep every:
Decision letter.
Envelope.
Medical report.
Financial document.
Email.
Fax confirmation.
Appeal form.
Note from a telephone conversation.
Whenever you speak with ADAP or the Appeals Secretariat, write down:
The date and time.
The name of the person you spoke with.
What you asked.
What you were told.
Any next steps or deadlines.
Ask for important information in writing whenever possible.
Review your appeal package line by line. Do not assume the government’s file is complete or accurate.
Most importantly, focus your appeal on the specific decision the panel is legally allowed to review.
You may strongly disagree with ADAP as a whole, but the panel will be considering the individual medical, eligibility, financial or benefit decision in front of it.
The bigger concern with ADAP appeals
Having an appeal process is necessary, but the existence of an appeal process does not automatically make the system fair.
People with disabilities are being expected to understand complicated rules, collect medical evidence, meet strict deadlines and challenge government decisions while potentially living with poverty, inaccessible services, pain, fatigue and uncertainty about their income.
The fact that the transfer from AISH to ADAP cannot be appealed remains one of the biggest concerns.
People are being told they may challenge certain decisions made after entering ADAP, but they cannot challenge the government’s original decision to place them there.
That is a major restriction on the rights of the people affected.
I will continue reviewing the information released about ADAP and explaining what it means in plain language.
People with disabilities deserve accurate information, meaningful appeal rights and a system that recognizes the realities of their lives.
Frequently asked questions about ADAP appeals
Can I appeal being transferred from AISH to ADAP?
No. The Government of Alberta says the transfer of your file from AISH to ADAP cannot be appealed. You may still apply for AISH and may be able to appeal certain separate decisions about your ADAP eligibility or benefits.
How long do I have to appeal an ADAP decision?
You generally have 30 days from receiving the decision. You may request an extension if you miss the deadline, but an extension is not guaranteed.
How do I file an ADAP appeal?
You can submit a signed Notice of Appeal form or write an appeal letter containing the required information. You should include a copy of the decision letter and keep copies of everything you submit.
Can someone attend my ADAP appeal hearing with me?
Yes. You may have someone act on your behalf or support you during a Citizen’s Appeal Panel hearing. You may need to submit an authorization form and provide the names of participants in advance.
Are ADAP medical appeal hearings held in person?
Usually not. Medical Appeal Panel hearings are normally completed through a review of written documents unless exceptional circumstances justify another hearing format.
Can I request disability accommodations?
Yes. Contact the Appeals Secretariat as soon as possible to request an interpreter or another reasonable accommodation.
Is the appeal panel’s decision final?
Yes. The government says the appeal panel’s decision is final within the program. Concerns about fairness may potentially be raised with the Alberta Ombudsman or through an application for judicial review.
Official Government of Alberta information
Read the government’s complete explanation of the process:
ADAP Appeal Hearing: What Happens Before, During and After a Hearing
You can also review:
ADAP: How to Appeal a Decision
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Government policies, legislation and appeal requirements may change. Confirm all deadlines and requirements with the Appeals Secretariat or a qualified legal professional.
