Set to begin this summer, the Government of Alberta announced the new Canada Disability Benefit will be considered ‘non-exempt’ income for AISH recipients.
Individuals and families have been increasingly reaching out to Inclusion Alberta expressing disappointment, fear and confusion over this decision and what it means for them.
The decision to claw back the benefit dollar for dollar will deprive support from tens of thousands of Albertans with disabilities who live in poverty, Inclusion Alberta notes.
“Alberta is the only provincial government to have announced it will claw back the CDB from adults with disabilities who receive provincial income support.”
The benefit, according to Inclusion Alberta, is a new federal benefit of up to $200 per month starting in July for low-income people aged 18-64 who have a disability. The federal government originally promised the benefit would lift people with disabilities out of poverty, “but sadly $200 a month will not do that.”
“While we will continue to advocate for the federal government to increase the benefit amount to a level that will truly impact poverty, the CDB is meant to be a top-up, not a replacement for provincial disability income support,” says Inclusion Alberta.
Inclusion Alberta calls on the provincial government to reverse its decision to claw back the benefit. In-line with other federal benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit, the CDB should be considered exempt income.
“We’re encouraging families to request a meeting with their MLA and with Alberta cabinet ministers to request the CDB be added to the list of exempt unearned sources of income for provincial income support programs,” notes Inclusion Alberta.
Inclusion Lethbridge Executive Director Rene Plazier says the local organization is hearing from people about how frustrated they are. “For the most part, people are not living beyond their means. People reliant on AISH, typically very much need their money and $1,900, if they receive the maximum amount, is not a lot of money. Many people are still very unable to make their bills and make ends meet.”
People, Plazier adds, are feeling disappointed and feeling undervalued. “Because they’re not able to get any further, in terms of that little bit of extra money they were hoping for.”
According to Plazier, one of the other problems is the Alberta government is requiring people to apply for the benefit, “even though, if they get it, it will be taken dollar for dollar from their AISH or income support cheques.”
“That’s a bit frustrating to be required to go through that process and not be able to receive the benefit and people still have to pay for that out of their own pocket. They have to get the application signed by doctors and we know those things aren’t cheap. They can be anywhere from $25 to $100,” Plazier notes.
The application process is not straight forward, it’s confusing and it’s causing distress, says Plazier. “A lot of people have trouble filling out those forms and not really understanding why and what is the point.”
Plazier says people can contact Inclusion Lethbridge to obtain sample letters or phone scripts if they wish to contact their MLA with their concerns.
“We would also suggest talking to your Member of Parliament because our federal government probably has a role in influencing Alberta about their approach to this. As far as we know, Alberta is the only province that’s actually making the CDB non-exempt,” Plazier explains.
For more information visit online at inclusionlethbridge.ca.
