Latest news with #ZacharyWeeks
Global News
11-07-2025
- Health
- Global News
Alberta government sets deadline for AISH recipients to apply for CDB
In June, the federal government launched a $200-a-month Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). On Wednesday, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) recipients received a letter from the Alberta government explaining, starting in October, an equivalent $200 will be deducted from their AISH benefit. 'We've been sort of waiting to hear what the next steps are, and it sounds like the steps outlined in the letter are the proverbial shoe dropping,' said Zachary Weeks, disability advocate. Amie Detwiler has relied on monthly AISH income for the past seven years, after suffering a stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. 'It feels like the federal government said, 'We're going to help you,' and the provincial government is saying, no, we're not, actually,' Detwiler said after receiving the letter. Story continues below advertisement AISH is intended to guarantee a minimum level of support for people needing it. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Danielle Smith and the UCP are the only government in Canada that are essentially stealing this money away from working-age, really low-income, severely disabled people,' said Marie Renaud, NDP critic for the ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services. 1:57 AISH advocates question new ADAP program The province says the monthly AISH minimums will remain at $1,901 per month, plus personal and medical benefits — claiming that's more than any other province. The federal CDB would now make up a portion of those payments. 'We are pleased that the federal government is finally starting to pay their fair share to help support Albertans with disabilities,' the province said in a statement. But Detweiler said this feels to her like she's balancing the provincial budget. Story continues below advertisement 'I would like to advocate for people with disabilities to understand that it's not our responsibility to make our government whole financially,' said Detweiler.
Calgary Herald
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Albertans protest federal disability benefit clawback and call for accessibility legislation
Article content Dozens of Albertans came out to the legislature on Tuesday protesting clawbacks for the federal disability benefit and called on the province to put forward accessibility legislation. Article content Article content Starting in June Albertans with disabilities can begin applying for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) with the first payment of up to $200 expected in July. But while the province says the Assisted Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) payments will remain unchanged, advocates say the province will clawback the CDB benefit, garnering protests from those in the community. Article content Article content Zachary Weeks, a disability advocate and rally organizer, said many people living on AISH are afraid to speak out in fear their benefits may be cut. Sitting in the gallery of the legislature on Tuesday, he said it was great to see many questions from the Alberta NDP directed to the UCP government on disability. Article content 'I don't think anyone wants to live on AISH because it's a paltry amount, given the economy we're in and the amount of expenses for groceries and rent on top of that, it is a very rigorous process to get accepted onto AISH.' Article content Article content Article content Starting July 2026, the province will implement the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), intended to ensure Albertans with disabilities are not negatively impacted from having a job, according to the province. The program will not be replacing AISH. Article content Article content Weeks said the province needs to have proper consultation with the community before moving forward with the program and said individuals should be able to choose between AISH and ADAP. Article content Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon defended the province's position and said the maximum monthly AISH payments plus $400 in health benefits and a tax reduction is 'above the poverty line.' Article content 'We have regulations that have been in place under this government, the NDP government, the PC government, to calculate individual's income — income that you receive from the federal government, including things like Canadian Pension Plan are part of the calculation of income,' Nixon said.
