Updated June 2026
AISH to ADAP: What Alberta’s 2026 Disability Change Means
If you receive AISH in Alberta, you may have heard about a new program starting this summer and wondered what it means for you. This is a calm, plain explainer of the facts. In short, Alberta is introducing the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which becomes operational in July 2026. ADAP is a new, separate program for people with severe disabilities who are assessed as able to work. AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) isn’t being abolished. It continues for many groups, and people already on AISH are protected during a transition period.
Below we set out the official government figures, explain who stays on AISH and who may be streamed to ADAP, and note that some disability advocates have publicly opposed the change. Our goal is to help you understand the facts so you can plan with confidence. For anything that affects your own benefits, always confirm with Alberta.ca or your caseworker.
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What Is ADAP?
The Alberta Disability Assistance Program is a new income support program for people who have a severe disability and who are assessed as able to work. It becomes operational in July 2026. The idea behind it, according to the province, is to provide income support while also recognizing that some recipients can take on employment when it suits their circumstances.
ADAP sits alongside AISH rather than replacing it outright. Starting in July 2026, a single combined application covers both programs. When you apply, you’re assessed and streamed to whichever program fits your situation. You don’t have to guess which one applies to you, and you don’t submit two separate applications.
AISH Is Not Going Away
This is the part that causes the most worry, so it’s worth stating plainly. AISH continues. It hasn’t been cancelled. AISH remains the program for several groups, including people with severe or profound developmental disabilities, people with palliative or terminal conditions, people living in continuing care, and people age 60 and over.
If you fall into one of these groups, you’re expected to remain on AISH. ADAP is aimed at people with severe disabilities who are assessed as able to work, which is a different group with different circumstances. The combined application is designed to direct each person to the right program based on that assessment.
How the Amounts Compare
The most discussed difference between the two programs is the monthly amount. Here’s how the official figures line up for 2026.
| Detail | AISH (2026) | ADAP (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Core monthly benefit | About $1,940 | $1,740 |
| Difference | Reference amount | About $200 less per month |
| Transition top-up | Not applicable | $200 per month for existing AISH clients moved to ADAP, until December 31, 2027 |
So the ADAP core benefit is $1,740 per month, which is roughly $200 less than the AISH amount of about $1,940. That gap is the main reason the change has drawn attention. To soften the move, the province has put a transition protection in place. Existing AISH clients who are moved to ADAP receive a $200 per month transition top-up. That top-up keeps them whole — meaning their total stays at about the AISH level — until December 31, 2027.
Key Takeaway
ADAP pays a core benefit of $1,740 per month, about $200 less than AISH at roughly $1,940. Existing AISH clients moved to ADAP receive a $200 monthly transition top-up that keeps them whole until December 31, 2027.
The Trade-Off: Higher Work Earnings Allowed
Alongside the lower base rate, ADAP allows you to earn more from employment before your benefit gets reduced. On AISH, a single person can earn up to $350 per month before a clawback kicks in. On ADAP, that threshold rises to $700 per month with no benefit reduction.
For someone who’s able to work and wants to take on part-time or occasional employment, this higher exemption can make a real difference. It means more of what you earn stays in your pocket. The province frames this as part of the rationale for the new program. Whether it offsets the lower base rate will depend on your own situation — how much work you can do, and how steady that work is. It’s worth doing the math for your own circumstances rather than assuming the answer either way.
How It Connects to the Federal Canada Disability Benefit
There’s one more piece to be aware of. The federal government runs the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which is tied to approval for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Alberta is the one province that offsets the federal Canada Disability Benefit against its provincial disability benefits. In practice, that means recipients in Alberta have to report their CDB and DTC outcomes, because those federal amounts are taken into account when provincial benefits are calculated.
If you receive or apply for the Canada Disability Benefit, keep your paperwork in order and report it as required. You can read more in our guide to the Canada Disability Benefit in 2026. Reporting accurately helps avoid surprises later and keeps your file correct.
What Advocates Are Saying
The change is announced and on track to go live, and the government figures above are official. At the same time, it’s fair to note that some disability advocates oppose it. Groups including Inclusion Alberta and Disability Without Poverty have publicly argued that the lower base rate is effectively a cut, and that even with the transition top-up, new entrants to ADAP would start at the lower amount once the program is fully running.
Their concern is mainly about the long-term level of support for people streamed to ADAP, especially after the transition top-up ends on December 31, 2027. The province points to the higher work-earnings exemption and the combined application as improvements. Both perspectives are part of the public conversation. We present the official numbers as stated and note the criticism so you have the full picture.
What to Do Now
If you are wondering how to prepare, here are calm, practical steps.
- From July 2026, there is one combined application that covers both AISH and ADAP. You’ll be streamed to whichever program fits.
- Keep your medical and identity documents organised, along with any records of employment income and the Canada Disability Benefit or Disability Tax Credit.
- If you’re an existing AISH client, note the transition top-up that keeps you whole until December 31, 2027.
- Check official information on Alberta.ca or speak with your caseworker for guidance on your specific case.
If you do some paid work alongside your benefits and money is tight between pay periods, you may also want to know about options that work with employment income. AISH-related funding options in Alberta and disability funding in Alberta are covered in more detail in our other guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AISH being cancelled?
No. AISH isn’t being cancelled. It continues for people with severe or profound developmental disabilities, palliative or terminal conditions, those in continuing care, and people age 60 and over. ADAP is a separate, new program for people assessed as able to work.
How much is ADAP per month?
The ADAP core benefit is $1,740 per month in 2026. That’s about $200 less than AISH, which sits at around $1,940 per month for the same year.
Will my AISH go down?
If you remain on AISH, your amount isn’t changing because of this program. If you’re an existing AISH client who gets moved to ADAP, you receive a $200 per month transition top-up that keeps your total whole until December 31, 2027.
Who stays on AISH?
AISH continues for people with severe or profound developmental disabilities, those with palliative or terminal conditions, people living in continuing care, and people age 60 and over.
When does ADAP start?
ADAP becomes operational in July 2026. From that point, a single combined application covers both AISH and ADAP, and applicants are streamed to whichever program fits their situation.
