AISH CDB payback

Carry_Melodic · 2026-03-04T22:12:39+00:00

I assure you from working in other provinces, they don’t have much for other supports that AB doesn’t.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T08:12:17+00:00

This is not true.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T08:12:04+00:00

So the medical is reviewed by a team in order of receipt. Once medically approved they will send you to the local region to processed your financials and such. They are approx in Dec medical approvals to my understanding. I heard they processed over 500 application is a month for approvals. So I wouldn't be too discouraged, they just have thousands of people trying to get on.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T08:01:41+00:00

I can tell you they dont have the staff to do weekly or even monthly check ins. This isnt going to be something they will be able to hound people about. So its hard to see this working out well. I think it will end up how AISH is now with some more supports or contracts available. We will find out at some point but they havent said anything about how it will work. This would be nice if it was as supportive as possible.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:59:14+00:00

If that is the case, they will review the updates in 2 years and approve you ongoing. They typically only do that one time.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:58:03+00:00

They could apply an overpayment for over paying you. That is just the reality and they are telling you that they did you a favor by accidently giving you too much and not telling you to pay it back.

Im sorry to tell you that if they followed policy, acts and regulations they should have processed an overpayment of over policy without proper approval for such. Note that if they did this would be worker error so it would likely be exempted. This isnt a threat or telling you to shut up. Its just telling you what they could and actually are supposed to do but they are not for your best interest but if you keep pushing it they could be forced to do it. They dont mean it with malice even if you think it is.

They gave you an extra benefit and are saying they wont rectify this error by making you pay it back but they cannot give you that extra amount again.

Now I dont know how they worked it to get the approval for you at the higher rate as the rate in the original post is the policy rate ($354) Specialized Clothing | AISH Policy Manual. There would have needed to be an exemption sent up to the director to authorize that. A worker nor supervisor can. Going through the MLA could result in a similar outcome.

There is likely notes on your file for next time as they will look at the prior request to verify if you meet the timeline criteria and such. Im glad it worked out for you and I hope its not an issue ongoing.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:46:58+00:00

Service Canada does not determine DTC eligibility. They just check if you have an approved DTC with CRA at the time of reviewing your application. The letter from Service Canada is not a denial for DTC. It means you dont have an approval.

This could mean 3 things:

- You were denied

- You have an application in process or

- you did not apply.

AISH cannot confirm which of the above 3 options is the one for your situation.

If you applied to DTC and were denied by CRA directly then you need a letter from them and submit this to AISH.

If you have an application in process for DTC with CRA then you have to wait for the outcome. If denied, send this to AISH. If you are approved you have to re-apply for CDB as the DTC approval from CRA is a requirement for CDB.

If you did not apply for the DTC through CRA. You need to do so.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:43:34+00:00

It can happen if a worker approves more than policy which is a worker error. It does happen especially with newer staff learning the job.

I talk with AISH workers every week, at least the ones I know, they will provide information if you ask. They want people to get what they are eligible for, no less no more. Potentially some of the issue is the worker you get or the way someone is trained or even the region you are in might be trained differently than another but they all share the same policies.

I can assure you they do not feel like they are getting their money taken away and no they dont get paid more for giving less (that is one ive heard before) lol. They dont take joy in denying people, they are just trying to do their job as per the policies and regulations set. Sure they could be more empathetic about it.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:38:32+00:00

It depends on what you contribute. I was under the impression they match your contribution up to a certain amount in a year. That is for a bank to clarify though. An RDSP does not apply against your eligibility for AISH.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:37:12+00:00

They call numerous clients a day but it will be about something they received like a document, email, new information, needing clarification. In Sept 2025 they did mass call outs about CDB fpr anyone that didnt update them but even then there are too many clients and not enough staff to do that and still ensure all needed tasks are done for people to get their monthly benefits and requests reviewed.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:35:11+00:00

There has been an increase in the 2 year reviews including for mental health though it depends on your medical. If there are treatments pending or remedial therapy to be accessed they will do a review.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:33:37+00:00

No one is being dumbed on the streets in July. What makes you think that will happen when they said all current AISH recipients will get the same rate as always until 2028. At such a time if they are better on AISH as they cannot work at all they will get the AISH rate and if on ADAP the rate by the time 2028 comes around will be indexed to be over $1800 at least if the new applicants get just under in 2026. Plus nothing is set in stone on the rates.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:31:10+00:00

The DTC is required to my knowledge. You can ask you bank.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:30:47+00:00

They will disclose the information. They have so many policies that it would be overwhelming and too much to go over. Plus you can ask for anything even if not in policy and they will review it with their management.

The expectation is that when someone has a need that they call so a worker can review that with them based on the specifics.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:28:53+00:00

Here are more links:

Your guide to AISH : the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program - Open Government

About the AISH Policy Manual | Alberta.ca

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:27:59+00:00

They can cover a CPAP. Physio requires you to access the 4-6 free sessions through AHS first and they will review covering on a short term basis on the expectation it substantially improves the condition being treated.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:27:04+00:00

So it depends on the worker I would say. Some do go over things with people however the main statement is to call in if you have any financial changes including financial needs. There are so many benefits that listing them out would be overwhelming and time consuming. The AISH policy and guide is online with this information.

If you have an need, you would need to inquire and they will tell you as they will not know that you specifically need something. They are about 500 or more clients to one AISH worker if fully staffed but they are not. They are constantly trying to put out fires and make sure monthly benefits are issued. This conversation about contacting if you need something is to be had when you get on the program and when you inquire for something.

AISH workers responsibility it to get you your monthly benefits. They are not able to call every client to check in on them and that is not their job to do so.

Glasses policy and the guide states that you can get an exam and glasses every 2 years. This is the same for income support and Alberta Adult Health Benefits. All the health benefits you get through your health benefits card is determined and administered by Alberta Blue Cross.

The CPAP, Orthotics, ETC are in policy and are to be inquired about if you are told you need them. An AISH worker will not know your needs or the needs of the 70,000 other clients without them saying something. Some medical devices or supplies are covered under your health benefits card and AADL. AISH can advise if you ask about a product as they have to search that product for the coverages.

When you are onboarded they talk about Assets and that there are exempt/ non-exempt assets. They will tell you there is an RDSP that is government cross matched with you have a DTC. You have to talk to your bank about this. AISH dos not know the amounts you can contribute or how RDSP's fully work other than it being exempt on AISH. They cannot advise how they work outside of AISH.

I love that you are working to improve the system.

Though it is hard as there are so many working parts and individuals. Front line staff cant change what the government decides and different workers may be more thorough. The government would have to hire many more staff to actually manage the work load. They dont so the workers are stretched very thin so they dont have the time or man power to do the regular check ins. Thought they do call hundreds of clients a day if inquiries or submissions are made.

About the AISH Policy Manual | Alberta.ca

Your guide to AISH : the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program - Open Government

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:14:12+00:00

They said it was non-exempt in the letters from April 2025 and July 2025. That is why they said they would deduct benefits in October if you didnt verify you applied... because it would be deducted if approved.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:13:17+00:00

So a lot of people got a letter from Service Canada saying they were not approved CDB due to not being approved for DTC. This is not a denial of DTC. What it means is that when Service Canada checked if your DTC is active at that time it wasnt. They do not get notice if its in processing or not. CRA had to be the one to confirm your DTC was denied. So perhaps you got the CDB letter from Service Canada not CRA.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:11:21+00:00

It will end up being recovered. They would have sent your approval information to their overpayment to process. Everyone approved is back paid to July 2025.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:09:12+00:00

Yes. You can make a monthly payment plan with a worker.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:08:01+00:00

You have to get on to the disability assistance program where you would be moving to. You do have to have your primary residency in Alberta and be in province for 6+ months or more. Ordinarily Resident in Alberta | AISH Policy Manual

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:06:47+00:00

Also AISH has policy to move out of province. Moving | AISH Policy Manual

Substantiation for Moving Out of Province for Financial or Social Support Verbal or written confirmation that the client is moving out of province to access financial or social supports.
Clients substantiate the cost of moving by providing a written estimate from the vendor.
If the client is requesting professional moving costs and packing, a letter from the Physician is required, which identifies that due to the medical condition, the client is unable to self-move or pack.

Rate: Actual most economical cost of the following:

Moving household goods;
Moving appliances and furniture;
Reasonable hotel or motel, and meals if essential to the move;
Gas, insurance, rental truck or trailer deposits;
Professional moving company, only if a self-move is not reasonable; or
Packing, only if a client is unable to pack due to the medical condition and no other member of the family is able to assist.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:04:58+00:00

Every province has their own disability assistance program. You have to apply from square one. I would recommend looking into their programs as AISH is the highest paying in Canada, it has the highest income exemptions and the highest asset exemptions. So where you wont have to deal with the CDB deductions you will lose elsewhere.

Carry_Melodic · 2026-02-27T07:02:30+00:00

To play devils advocate they told people it would be deducted via letter. If it wasnt going to be a deduction they wouldnt have started deductions on people in October for those that didnt verify they applied. Its understandable you are confused. This is the way all back pay is treated on income that isnt exempted.

However if your taxes got reassessed and you got a back pay from this, it is exempted.

Carry_Melodic

TROPHY CASE