AISH Recipients Are Starting to Receive ADAP Letters. Here’s What Albertans Need to Know.

Well, here we are.

For months, the Alberta government has been talking about moving people from AISH into the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program, also known as ADAP.

Now the letters are officially starting to arrive in people’s mailboxes.

And honestly?

After reading through these letters carefully, I understand why so many disabled Albertans are scared, confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed.

Because once you get past the friendly wording, there are some very serious concerns buried in the fine print.

I’ve included copies of the letters below so people can read them for themselves.

View the PDF of letters

This is not just a paperwork change

This is not just a paperwork change. This is a life-changing policy shift for thousands of disabled Albertans.

And one of the biggest things these letters reveal is that Alberta appears to be creating two separate categories of disabled people.

One group remains on AISH. The other gets moved into ADAP.

That should make every Albertan pause. Because these are not small differences.

These are differences that impact people’s income, housing stability, employment expectations, medical benefits, and long-term security.

Almost 80,000 Albertans already proved their disability impacts their ability to work

Almost 80,000 Albertans on AISH already went through an approval process. They already proved their disability impacts their ability to work.

So here is the question the government still refuses to clearly answer: How did they decide who stays on AISH and who gets moved to ADAP?

• What exact measures were used?

• What thresholds?

• What employability assessments?

• Who made those decisions?

• And what happens if they got it wrong?

Because when one person receives a letter saying:

“You meet the criteria to remain on AISH because you are unable to work”

And another person receives a letter saying:

“You are being transitioned into an employment-focused program”

…disabled Albertans deserve transparency.

People deserve to know how their future was decided.

Because “trust us” is not a disability policy. It is a warning sign.

The government says people will keep their current amount… for now

One of the first things the transition letter says is that current AISH recipients moving into ADAP will continue receiving their current amount until December 31, 2027 because of a temporary “transition benefit.”

At first glance, that sounds reassuring. But read between the lines.

If people need a temporary top-up to maintain their current income, that means the regular ADAP amount is lower.

The letters effectively confirm:

AISH = $1,940/month

ADAP = $1,740/month

That is a $200 difference.

The government is essentially saying:

“Don’t worry, you won’t lose money right now.”

But what happens after December 31, 2027?

That is one of the biggest unanswered questions in this entire rollout.

And people are rightfully concerned. You cannot call something support if people are afraid of what happens after the fine print runs out.

Disabled couples are being penalized

One of the most alarming sections in the transition letter is the cohabitation rule.

The letter says couples who both receive disability assistance will receive 88% of the maximum individual benefit because of “shared household expenses.”

Let’s call this what it is.

Disabled people do not magically become cheaper to support because they are in a relationship.

Living together does not erase:

• Medical costs

• Mobility equipment

• Transportation barriers

• Specialized diets

• Support services

• Accessible housing challenges

• The rising cost of living

Meanwhile, accessible housing is already in crisis.

The cost of living is exploding.

And many disabled couples rely on each other to avoid isolation, homelessness, or institutional living. Because when you reduce support for disabled couples, you are not encouraging independence, you are making stability harder. You are making relationships more financially risky.

And people have every right to ask: Is this seriously the direction Alberta wants to move toward?

The entire system appears built around employment

The transition letter repeatedly talks about:

• Employment participation

• Career planning

• Service navigators

• Job placements

• Learning new skills

• Working to your “full potential”

And let me be clear, AGAIN. There is absolutely nothing wrong with supporting disabled people who want to work. Many want to work. Many would work more if Alberta invested properly in accessibility, transportation, affordable housing, health care, and workplace accommodations.

But accessibility is not a motivational speech. It is housing, transportation, health care, accommodations, income stability, and actual rights.

The problem is that this new system appears heavily focused on employment participation while providing very few clear answers about what happens to people who cannot participate.

Because disability is not always predictable.

Some people can work part-time but not full-time.

Some people can work for a few months and then crash.

Some people live with chronic pain, brain injuries, fatigue, episodic disabilities, mental health disabilities, or conditions that fluctuate daily. Being able to work a little is not the same thing as being able to survive without support.

The letters themselves reveal a major difference

The AISH letter clearly says there is no requirement to participate in employment services. The ADAP letter does not say that. Instead, it says a service navigator will contact people as they begin employment participation conversations.

That difference matters. A lot.

One letter says employment services are optional. The other assumes employment participation is happening.

The medical benefits wording should concern people

Another major concern is the wording around medical benefits. The transition letter says health benefits will continue regardless of employment income. But notice what it does NOT clearly say.

It does not clearly say health benefits are protected regardless of employment participation.

That distinction matters enormously, because for many disabled Albertans, medical benefits are not optional.

They cover medications, mobility equipment, treatment, therapy, transportation, and supports people rely on to survive.

And nowhere in these letters is there a clear explanation of what happens if:

• Someone is deemed “non-compliant”

• Benefits are interrupted

• Eligibility is questioned

• Someone cannot participate

• A mistake is made. That uncertainty is creating real fear.

People have every right to be alarmed.

Lack of accessibility is still the barrier nobody wants to talk about

The government keeps talking about employment; But many disabled Albertans are not unemployed because they lack motivation.

They are struggling because Alberta is still deeply inaccessible.

• Inaccessible workplaces.

• Inaccessible transportation.

• Unaffordable housing.

• Long health care wait lists.

• Discrimination.

• Lack of accommodations.

• Lack of support.

You cannot talk about employment without talking about accessibility. Otherwise, you are blaming disabled people for barriers the system created.

People do not want canned talking points

Despite the government’s narrative, municipalities across Alberta have already raised concerns or supported pausing ADAP.

People are paying attention, and the government should be uncomfortable with that. Disabled Albertans do not want canned talking points. They want honest answers grounded in lived experience. Especially after the UCP unanimously voted against Bill 206 — legislation that would have strengthened accessibility protections in Alberta.

You cannot say you support disabled Albertans while ignoring the people actually living this reality.

Share this with someone impacted

If this blog helped explain what is happening, please share it with someone impacted by AISH or ADAP changes.

A lot of disabled Albertans are receiving these letters right now and trying to understand what they actually mean. People deserve plain-language information. They deserve transparency. And they deserve REAL answers before their lives are turned upside down.

You can also follow me on social media for more plain-language breakdowns and updates as this continues unfolding.