Starting July 1, 2025, my son and many, many others on AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) or income support are entitled to receive $200 per month from the Canadian government. This is the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).
I do not understand why the government of Alberta needs to claw back the Canada Disability Benefit from people with disabilities who access AISH or income support.
As of February 2025, there are over 77,000 receiving AISH and 57,000 relying on income support. My son is one of these people.
If the claw back happens starting July 1, 2025, approximately 134,000 individuals will continue to live below the poverty line of $28,954 in Canada.
The $200 per month from the federal government will at least bring these citizens just $3,000 below the poverty line as opposed to $6,000 below.
Will the Alberta government be sending this money back to Ottawa? Will they be keeping this monthly amount of approximately $11,477,000? Easy money for the Alberta government if they keep it.
The CDB must be considered a supplement to – rather than a replacement for – AISH and income support.
The monthly CDB would give my son the needed money to make truck repairs when necessary. My son is legally blind, but very capable in many ways.
We have a staff person who drives the truck so that he can take part in community events, continue his recycling for the community and visit friends.
For many people receiving help, this CDB payment would help them to buy needed medications or housing or any number of needed services.
I ask that the provincial government prioritize the well-being of people with disabilities and immediately make a public commitment that it will not claw back the CDB benefit amount from AISH and income support payments.
Karen Mengersen,
Olds
