Calgary to consider formal call for pause on AISH-ADAP shift

A plan to stop changes to disability benefits could soon have Calgary's support.

A disability support change coming from the Alberta government has sparked a proposal in Calgary city council to delay the switchover.

Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt is asking council to consider joining the call for the province to pause its planned transition of thousands of Albertans off the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) to a new program called the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP).

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Current AISH recipients will be transitioned to ADAP starting July 1.

Critics say ADAP would reduce monthly benefits by $200, tighten employment income exemptions and limit appeal rights, pushing many Albertans further into poverty.

But the province has previously argued ADAP is intended to expand opportunities while maintaining essential supports.

Adding, health benefits will be protected even as clients’ earnings rise. The province also highlighted new services such as training, job placements and case management to help people with disabilities prepare for and sustain employment.

According to the motion before council, the transition could impact roughly 23,000 Calgarians.

It warns this could lead to increased pressure on municipal supports and community agencies funded by taxpayers.

Several other municipalities, including Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Camrose, have formally called on the province to pause implementation.

On Monday, advocates gathered in Calgary, calling on the government to abandon the ADAP plan, and either keep AISH intact or meaningfully improve it.

“The transition to ADAP is going to cause a lot of mental distress on top of what disabled folks are going through day to day,” said AISH recipient Kavin Sheikheldin.

If the motion passes in council, Mayor Jeromy Farkas would be directed to send a letter to the province on behalf of city council, calling for a pause, meaningful consultation and a public report outlining the social and economic impacts, before moving ahead with the transition.