Alberta Disability Assistance Program

When ADAP launches July 2026, ADAP clients will receive a monthly benefit of up to $1,740.

Individuals

When ADAP launches July 2026, ADAP’s core financial benefit will be $1,740 per month.

The ADAP employment income exemption for single clients will be $700 per month, which means that individuals on ADAP will be able to earn up to $700 per month with no impact to financial benefits.

• Employment income above $700 per month will be gradually deducted starting with less than a cent per dollar and increasing significantly approaching $45,000 employment income per year. 
• An online AISH and ADAP benefits estimator is available to help calculate potential benefit.
• Albertans on ADAP will be able to earn up to $45,240 annually in employment income while continuing to receive financial benefits. This will be the highest limit for employment income while receiving financial benefits of any comparable disability income assistance program in Canada.
• Albertans on ADAP will continue to receive the health benefits they need, regardless of employment income.

Partners

Starting in the August 2026 benefit period, households where 2 adults receive disability income assistance (AISH or ADAP), each partner will receive 88% of the maximum individual benefit to reflect a couple’s shared household expenses and mutual financial responsibility. This approach aligns with how other jurisdictions structure disability benefits and helps ensure supports are distributed fairly. 

Child benefit rates

Child benefit rates under AISH and ADAP have been recalibrated to reflect other child-related supports including the federal Canada Child Benefit. Monthly child benefits are set at:

• $300 for the first child
• $117 for the second
• $88 for the third
• $59 for the fourth, and
• $30 for each additional child

The recalibrated child benefit rates will increase child benefits for approximately 7,000 families who receive disability income assistance, and will be applied starting the August 2026 benefit period.

All existing AISH clients will be assured a place in either ADAP or AISH. 

Alberta’s government will notify all AISH recipients in mid-May with information specific to their situation, including whether they will remain on AISH, transition to ADAP, or be affected by any regulatory changes. 

Current AISH clients

In July 2026, current AISH clients will transition to ADAP, except those clients who meet one or more of the below criteria. Current AISH clients who meet one or more of the below criteria will automatically remain on AISH, unless they choose to transition to ADAP to benefit from ADAP’s higher employment income exemptions:

• individuals with a severe and profound developmental disability, or who are deemed eligible for or are receiving Persons with Developmental Disabilities services
• individuals with palliative or terminal medical conditions
• individuals living in continuing care homes
• individuals 60 years of age or older.

Current AISH clients who meet the criteria for automatic approval for AISH do not need to take any action – they will be identified by AISH and notified prior to July 2026.

AISH clients transitioning to ADAP

AISH clients who transition to ADAP in July 2026 will receive a $200 monthly transition benefit that will keep their financial benefit the same as their existing AISH benefit amount until December 31, 2027. During this time, clients can choose to remain on ADAP or apply for AISH.

Alberta’s government will cover the cost of one medical assessment for current AISH clients who transition to ADAP in July and later choose to be reassessed for AISH. This support is not time-limited and will be available whenever clients choose to access it.

There will be one application for both AISH and ADAP. This application will collect information from the applicant and their medical professional(s) to decide if an applicant meets the general, financial, and medical requirements. If eligible for the general and financial requirements, an adjudicator will review the medical information to decide if an applicant qualifies for ADAP or should be referred to a panel of medical professionals to determine eligibility for AISH. Eligible applicants will be placed into the program that best suits their unique needs and abilities.

In general, an individual with a severe disability that results in them being permanently unable to work will qualify for AISH.

In general, an individual with a severe disability who is assessed as able to work will qualify for ADAP. To be medically eligible for ADAP, the severe disability must be determined to significantly restrict but not prevent a person from being employed.

ADAP clients will be able to apply for an AISH assessment if their medical condition or ability to work changes.

All existing AISH clients will be assured a place in either ADAP or AISH. AISH clients who transition to ADAP in July 2026 will receive a $200 monthly transition benefit that will keep their financial benefit the same as their existing AISH benefit amount until December 31, 2027. During this time, clients can choose to remain on ADAP or apply for AISH.

If an individual disagrees with a decision about their disability income assistance application, there are ways to appeal. For an ADAP decision, they can appeal through the ADAP Medical Appeal Panel or the Citizen’s Appeal Panel, depending on the type of decision. 

Decisions by the disability assistance adjudicator to not refer an application to the AISH Medical Review Panel for an AISH eligibility determination can be appealed to the new ADAP Medical Appeal Panel. Decisions by the disability assistance adjudicator to determine an applicant is not eligible for ADAP can also be appealed. The Citizen’s Appeal Panel will continue to hear non-medical eligibility appeals.

Through ADAP, Albertans with disabilities will receive customized, one-on-one support and access to the resources and tools they need to gain new skills and work to their full potential. Employment supports include holistic wraparound supports designed to address a wide range of personal, social and practical barriers that may impact an individual’s ability to gain and retain employment. 

Through Budget 2026, Alberta's government is investing an unprecedented nearly quarter-billion dollars this year alone to help Albertans gain and retain meaningful employment. This investment strengthens supports that reduce barriers for persons with disabilities and provide flexible, person-centred supports focused on long-term success. These services include career planning, assistive technology and supported job placements, as well as resources to help employers break down accessibility barriers in their workplace.

If an ADAP client is unable to find a job after receiving employment supports, they will continue to receive their financial and health benefits. If their medical condition progresses to the point that they are unable to work, they can apply for the AISH program.